Estimate Social Security and Medicare taxes for freelance, contractor, gig, or small business income.
Enter your income and expenses to estimate self-employment tax.
Estimate only. Not tax, legal, accounting, or financial advice.
Self-Employment Tax Guide
This calculator estimates self-employment tax for people who earn income as freelancers, independent contractors, gig workers, sole proprietors, or small business owners. It subtracts business expenses from gross self-employment income, estimates net profit, and calculates Social Security and Medicare tax.
The calculator includes gross self-employment income, business expenses, estimated net profit, Social Security tax, Medicare tax, and total self-employment tax.
The quarterly estimate divides self-employment tax by four. This can help with planning, but it does not replace IRS estimated tax calculations.
This calculator does not include federal income tax, state tax, credits, deductions, penalties, additional Medicare tax, or every business tax situation.
Self-employment tax is the Social Security and Medicare tax paid by people who work for themselves. It is separate from regular federal income tax.
Freelancers, independent contractors, sole proprietors, gig workers, and some small business owners may owe self-employment tax if they have net earnings from self-employment.
No. This page estimates self-employment tax only. You may also owe federal income tax, state income tax, and other taxes depending on your situation.
Self-employment tax is generally calculated on 92.35% of net earnings from self-employment. This calculator uses that general rule for planning estimates.
No. Use this as an educational estimate only. For filing, use official IRS forms, tax software, or a qualified tax professional.
Last updated: April 2026