2026 Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Freelancer, contractor, or sole proprietor? Enter your net profit to see your self-employment tax (Social Security + Medicare) and the deductible half.
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How self-employment tax works
When you work for yourself you pay both the employer and employee shares of Social Security and Medicare — the 15.3% self-employment tax:
- 12.4% Social Security on net earnings up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500.
- 2.9% Medicare on all net earnings (no cap).
- +0.9% Additional Medicare on earnings over $200,000 (single) / $250,000 (joint).
Your net earnings are 92.35% of your profit, and you can deduct half of the SE tax on your income tax return.
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General estimate of federal self-employment tax for 2026. Additional Medicare assumes no W-2 wages. Not tax advice. Verify with IRS Schedule SE or a tax professional.