Anyone self-employed
Self-employment tax estimator (2026)
Self-employment tax is separate from income tax and catches almost every 1099 earner. See the precise 2026 breakdown from your net profit, including the Social Security cap and the extra Medicare tax at higher income.
For any self-employed filer who wants an accurate Schedule SE breakdown, including the wage-base cap and Additional Medicare Tax.
How the math works
What this calculator does
- Net earnings = net profit × 92.35% (the standard Schedule SE adjustment).
- Social Security = 12.4% of net earnings, capped at the 2026 wage base of $184,500 (reduced by any W-2 Social Security wages you already had).
- Medicare = 2.9% of all net earnings, with no cap.
- Additional Medicare Tax = 0.9% on earnings above your filing-status threshold ($200k single/HoH, $250k MFJ, $125k MFS).
- One-half of the base SE tax is deductible above the line, shown separately.
The 2026 numbers this uses
For 2026 the Social Security taxable wage base rose to $184,500 (from $176,100 in 2025), so the 12.4% Social Security portion of self-employment tax stops once your net earnings reach that cap. The 2.9% Medicare portion has no ceiling, and an extra 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax applies to earnings above a fixed threshold that is not adjusted for inflation.
Because you pay both the employer and employee shares, self-employment tax is 15.3% of your net earnings up to the cap. The offsetting relief is that one-half of that tax is deductible when you figure your income tax.
If you also have a W-2 job
Social Security tax already withheld from a W-2 job uses up part of the annual cap. Entering those wages lowers how much of your self-employment income is still subject to the 12.4% Social Security portion, so the estimate does not double-tax you past the wage base.
Common questions
FAQ
What is the 2026 self-employment tax rate?
15.3% total — 12.4% for Social Security (on earnings up to the $184,500 wage base) plus 2.9% for Medicare (uncapped) — applied to 92.35% of your net profit.
Is any of the self-employment tax deductible?
Yes. One-half of the base self-employment tax is an above-the-line deduction that reduces your adjusted gross income for income-tax purposes.
Do I owe it under $400?
If your net earnings from self-employment are under $400, you generally do not owe self-employment tax.
Self-employment tax estimator (2026 Schedule SE)
Sets the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax threshold.
Reduces the $184,500 Social Security cap you have left.
Lower profit means lower SE tax — ReceiptLine makes the expenses effortless to track.
Estimates only, using published 2026 IRS and SSA figures. This is general information, not tax, legal, or financial advice, and it is not reviewed or approved by a tax professional. Your actual tax depends on your complete facts — other income, deductions, credits, state rules, and the final current-year law. Confirm your situation with a qualified professional (CPA or enrolled agent). You are responsible for what you file.
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ReceiptLine uses AI to extract and suggest expense details. It is not accounting or tax advice. Review each receipt and confirm the correct treatment with a qualified professional for your jurisdiction.