Self-Employment Tax Calculator (2026)
Self-employment tax for 2026 is 15.3% of 92.35% of your net self-employment profit: 12.4% Social Security on the first $184,500 and 2.9% Medicare on all of it. On $80,000 of profit that's $11,304. You can deduct half ($5,652) from income. Enter your numbers below.
Updated October 30, 2026. Federal figures only.
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How self-employment tax is calculated
You pay both halves of Social Security and Medicare because you are your own employer. The headline on this page rounds the $80,000 example to the nearest dollar. The table in the next section keeps the cents.
- Apply the 92.35% net-earnings factor. Multiply net profit by 92.35%. That factor mirrors the employer half a W-2 employee never sees in their wage base.
- Social Security, up to the wage base. Multiply that net-earnings amount by 12.4%, but only up to the 2026 Social Security wage base of $184,500, minus any W-2 wages already taxed for Social Security.
- Medicare on all net earnings. Multiply net earnings by 2.9%. Medicare has no wage base.
- Deduct half on Schedule 1. Add the Social Security and Medicare amounts. That total is self-employment tax. Half of it is an adjustment to income. It lowers income tax. It does not lower the self-employment tax itself.
Worked example: $80,000 freelance designer
Single filer, no W-2 wages, tax year 2026. Additional Medicare tax is $0 because net earnings are under $200,000.
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Net profit | $80,000.00 |
| Net earnings (× 92.35%) | $73,880.00 |
| Social Security (12.4%) | $9,161.12 |
| Medicare (2.9%) | $2,142.52 |
| Self-employment tax | $11,303.64 |
| Half deducted on Schedule 1 | $5,651.82 |
| Additional Medicare tax | $0.00 |
Self-employment tax vs income tax
Self-employment tax is on top of ordinary federal income tax. This page estimates only Social Security, Medicare and Additional Medicare tax. For income tax and self-employment tax together, use the 1099 tax calculator.
How to lower it legally
Deductible business expenses reduce the net profit this tax is figured on. Track them in the Schedule C expenses template or the self-employed expense tracker. Business miles belong in a mileage log. Retirement contributions can reduce income tax. They do not reduce self-employment tax. This is general information, not a list of what you personally can claim.
What this estimate leaves out
Federal self-employment tax only. No state tax, no income tax, no credits, and no qualified business income deduction. Church-employee, farming and optional-method rules on Schedule SE are not included. Additional Medicare tax is shown on its own line because it is reported on Form 8959, not as part of Schedule SE.
Sources
Estimates for tax year 2026, federal only. Not tax advice — confirm with your accountant.
- SSA 2026 COLA fact sheet (15.3% self-employed rate, $184,500 OASDI maximum)
- SSA: 2026 maximum taxable earnings are $184,500
- IRS self-employment tax (15.3% split, $400 rule, deductible employer-equivalent half). The wage-base example on that page was still the 2024 figure when checked on 30 Oct 2026, so the cap above is the SSA figure.
- Schedule SE (2025 form posted at this URL on 30 Oct 2026), line 4a: multiply by 92.35% (0.9235). The 2026 form was not the file at this address yet. The factor is the same statutory step.
- Instructions for Schedule SE ($400 filing threshold)
- IRS Topic 560, Additional Medicare tax (0.9% and the filing-status thresholds)
Related
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the self-employment tax rate for 2026?
Do I pay self-employment tax if I made under $400?
Why is it multiplied by 92.35%?
Can I deduct self-employment tax?
Do I pay self-employment tax and income tax?
Keep the profit behind this estimate in one place
Avery organizes income and expenses for freelancers and one-person businesses, so the profit you type here can come from your own records. Basic is $9.99/mo. Avery does not file your return or replace your accountant.