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1099 · Freelancer · Sole Proprietor

Self-Employed Tax Calculator 2026

Calculate your exact self-employment tax, income tax, and quarterly estimated payments. Includes SE tax deduction, SEP-IRA, and self-employed health insurance.

Your Income & Deductions

$
$

Home office, equipment, software, travel, etc.

Self-Employed Deductions

$
$

100% deductible if not eligible for employer coverage

Self-Employed vs W-2: What You Actually Pay More

As a W-2 employee, your employer pays half (7.65%) of your FICA taxes. Self-employed individuals pay both halves — 15.3% total. However, you can deduct half of SE tax before calculating income tax, and the higher deduction options (SEP-IRA up to $70k, full health insurance premium) can significantly offset this.

SE Tax Rate

15.3%vs7.65%

You pay both halves

SEP-IRA Limit

$70,000vs$24,500

vs 401k limit

Health Insurance

100% deductiblevsAfter-tax

If not employer-covered