What is self-employment tax and who pays it?

Self-employment tax is 15.3% (12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare) on net self-employment earnings. It applies to freelancers, sole proprietors, and other self-employed workers under IRC §1401.

How do I calculate quarterly estimated tax payments for SE income?

Divide your estimated annual self-employment tax (plus income tax if applicable) by four. IRS Form 1040-ES due dates are typically April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15.

Free Tool · IRS 2026 Data

Self-Employment Tax Estimator

Estimate your annual SE tax (Social Security 12.4% + Medicare 2.9%), the deductible half that reduces your income tax, and your quarterly Form 1040-ES payments — all calculated per IRC §1401–1403.

Data as of March 2026. 2026 tax figures are projected/extrapolated from IRS Rev. Proc. 2024-40 and are not yet finalized by the IRS.

Your Information

* required

Net Self-Employment Income *

Business revenue minus deductible business expenses (Schedule C net profit)

Filing Status *

Other Income (W-2)

How SE Tax Works

1Net earnings = SE income × 92.35% (employer-equivalent deduction)

2SE tax = SS (12.4% up to $176,100) + Medicare (2.9% all income)

3Deduct 50% of SE tax from gross income (Schedule 1, Line 15)

2026 Estimated Payment Dates

Q1Apr 15, 2026

Q2Jun 16, 2026

Q3Sep 15, 2026

Q4Jan 15, 2027

IRC §1401–1403 · IRS Pub. 334 · Form 1040-ES · SSA Wage Base $176,100

Total SE Tax

—

Enter your net self-employment income to estimate your SE tax obligation.

2026 SE Tax Rates

Social Security12.4%SS Wage Cap$176,100Medicare2.9%Add. Medicare0.9%Net Earnings× 92.35%Deductible50% of tax

Net After SE Tax

Social Security (12.4%)

Medicare (2.9%)

Add. Medicare (0.9%)

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2026 Self-Employment Tax Reference

IRC §1401–1403 · IRS Pub. 334 · SSA Wage Base

SE Tax Rates

Applied to net earnings (92.35% of net SE income)

Social Security12.4%

Medicare2.9%

Combined SE rate15.3%

Additional Medicare0.9% over threshold

2026 Thresholds

SS wage base$176,100

Add. Medicare (single)$200,000 MAGI

Add. Medicare (married)$250,000 MAGI

Schedule 1 deduction50% of SE tax

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