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Free Freelance
Tax Calculator (2026)
Estimate your self-employment tax (15.3% FICA), calculate your net take-home pay, and budget for quarterly estimated IRS payments without spreadsheets.
Includes 15.3% SE TaxSchedule C expense deductionsLive quarterly payment estimate
Calculate your 1099 tax burden
Enter your gross revenue and deductible operating costs to see your estimated federal, state, and self-employment tax breakdown.
Income & Expense Inputs
Calculate exact self-employment and quarterly taxes.
Total client billings before any deductions.
$
Software, hardware, home office, hosting, subscriptions.
$
%
Estimated Total Tax Due
$22,314
Effective Tax Rate: 26.3%
15.3% Self-Employment Tax$10,880
Est. Federal Income Tax$7,584
Est. State Income Tax$3,850
Net Take-Home Cash$54,686
Quarterly IRS Estimated Payment
$5,578 / quarter
How 1099 Freelance Taxes Work
When you transition from a W-2 employee to a 1099 contractor, taxes are no longer withheld from your paychecks automatically. You become responsible for both portions of FICA taxes.
Self-Employment (SE) Tax
15.3% total (12.4% for Social Security + 2.9% for Medicare) calculated on 92.35% of your net business earnings.
Income Taxes
Federal and state progressive income tax brackets applied to your adjusted gross income after deducting business write-offs.
Quarterly Deadlines
If you expect to owe over $1,000 in taxes, the IRS requires quarterly estimated payments in April, June, September, and January.
Got Questions?
Freelance Tax FAQs
How much should a freelancer set aside for taxes?
A solid rule of thumb is to set aside 25% to 30% of your net freelance income (gross revenue minus business expenses). This covers the 15.3% federal self-employment tax (FICA) plus your standard federal and state income tax brackets.
What is the 1099 self-employment tax rate?
The self-employment tax rate is 15.3%. This consists of 12.4% for Social Security (applied up to the annual wage cap) and 2.9% for Medicare (with no income limit). Because you are both employer and employee, you pay the full amount, but you can deduct the employer-equivalent half (7.65%) on your Form 1040.
When are quarterly estimated taxes due?
Quarterly estimated taxes are typically due on four deadlines every year: Q1 is due April 15, Q2 is due June 15, Q3 is due September 15, and Q4 is due January 15 of the following year.
Can I deduct business expenses to lower my freelance taxes?
Yes. Self-employment tax and income taxes are calculated on your net profit, not your gross revenue. Deductible business expenses include software subscriptions, home office deductions, hardware, web hosting, internet, and health insurance premiums.
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