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Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Got 1099 or side-business income? See exactly what you'll owe in self-employment tax — and how your W-2 job changes it. 2026 rates.
What you owe
How self-employment tax works
When you work for yourself, you pay both halves of Social Security and Medicare — that's the 15.3% self-employment (SE) tax. It applies to 92.35% of your net profit (the IRS lets you knock off the employer-equivalent portion first).
- 12.4% Social Security — only up to the annual wage base. If you also have a W-2 job, those wages count against the base first, so this portion can shrink or disappear.
- 2.9% Medicare — no cap; applies to all your taxable SE earnings.
- Deductible half — you deduct half your SE tax against your income tax.
SE tax is separate from your income tax. This tool shows the SE piece; you'll also owe ordinary income tax on the profit. See it all together in the full tax calculator.
Common questions
- Do I owe SE tax with a W-2 job too?
- Yes, on your side profit — but your W-2 wages fill the Social Security wage base first, often cutting the 12.4% portion. Enter your W-2 wages above to see it.
- When do I pay this?
- Usually through quarterly estimated payments, so you don't get hit with one big bill plus an underpayment penalty in April.
- Is this exact?
- It uses the real IRS SE-tax method and 2026 wage base. Your full return may differ with other income; the tax calculator models the whole picture.