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1099 Tax Calculator
Estimate your self-employment tax, income tax, and exactly what to set aside — plus the quarterly payment to send the IRS. Built for freelancers and 1099 contractors.
Short answer
As a 1099 worker, plan to set aside about 25%–30% of your net income for taxes. That covers self-employment tax of 15.3% (Social Security + Medicare on 92.35% of profit), plus federal and any state income tax. Because nothing is withheld, you pay it in four quarterly installments. Enter your income below for your exact set-aside percentage and quarterly amount.
Your gross 1099 / freelance income for the year.
Deductible costs — supplies, software, mileage, home office.
Set aside for taxes
21.8%
$13,097 total · $3,274.31/quarter
- Net profit
- $60,000
- Self-employment tax (15.3%)
- $8,478
- Federal income tax
- $3,071
- State income tax
- $1,548
- Total estimated tax
- $13,097
- After-tax income
- $46,903
Pay each quarter$3,274.31
Four equal estimated-tax payments (Form 1040-ES).
Self-employment tax by state
How much should you set aside?
The classic rule is 25%–30% of net profit, but your real number depends on how much you make, your filing status, and your state. Three taxes stack up: the 15.3% self-employment tax (you pay both the employer and employee halves of Social Security and Medicare), federal income tax on your profit after the standard deduction, and state income tax where it applies. The calculator rolls all three into one set-aside percentage.
1099 tax by income (single filer)
Federal self-employment tax plus federal income tax at common income levels — a nationwide baseline before any state tax. This assumes self-employment is your only income and you take the standard deduction.
| 1099 income | SE tax | Federal income tax | Total (federal) | Set aside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20,000 | $2,826 | $0 | $2,826 | 14.1% |
| $30,000 | $4,239 | $578 | $4,817 | 16.1% |
| $40,000 | $5,652 | $1,321 | $6,973 | 17.4% |
| $50,000 | $7,065 | $2,196 | $9,261 | 18.5% |
| $60,000 | $8,478 | $3,071 | $11,549 | 19.3% |
| $75,000 | $10,597 | $4,384 | $14,981 | 20% |
| $100,000 | $14,130 | $7,216 | $21,345 | 21.4% |
| $150,000 | $21,194 | $15,239 | $36,433 | 24.3% |
| $200,000 | $27,862 | $23,791 | $51,653 | 25.8% |
Don't forget quarterly payments
Because no employer withholds tax from your 1099 pay, the IRS expects estimated tax in four installments — roughly April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. Underpaying can mean a penalty. The calculator divides your annual estimate into four equal payments; see the quarterly taxes guide for the schedule.
How we calculate this
Each estimate stacks the three taxes a 1099 worker owes, using published 2026 rates — nothing gated:
- Self-employment tax. 15.3% (12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare) on 92.35% of your net profit; Social Security caps at the annual wage base, and a 0.9% Medicare surtax applies above $200,000.
- Federal income tax. 2026 marginal brackets on your profit after the standard deduction, the deductible half of your SE tax, and (optionally) the 20% QBI deduction.
- State income tax. real 2026 state brackets and standard deductions on your profit less the SE-tax deduction; nine states have no income tax.
- Set-aside % and quarterly. total tax ÷ net profit gives the percentage to set aside; total ÷ 4 gives each estimated-tax installment.
Assumptions
- Assumes self-employment is your only income — other W-2 wages, a spouse's income, and credits will change the result.
- QBI is simplified to a flat 20% of profit; the real deduction has income limits and phase-outs for some professions.
- The additional-Medicare threshold is applied at $200,000 for all filing statuses (the IRS uses $250,000 for joint filers).
- Planning estimate only — Schedule C, Schedule SE, and Form 1040-ES are the authoritative forms.
Last reviewed: July 19, 2026
Frequently asked questions
How much should I set aside for 1099 taxes?+
A common rule of thumb is to set aside 25%–30% of your net self-employment income for taxes, but the right number depends on your total income, filing status, and state. It covers three things: self-employment (SE) tax of 15.3%, federal income tax, and any state income tax. Enter your income above and the calculator shows your exact set-aside percentage and the amount per quarter.
What is the self-employment tax rate?+
The self-employment tax rate is 15.3% — 12.4% for Social Security plus 2.9% for Medicare. It applies to 92.35% of your net profit (not the full amount), and the Social Security portion only applies up to the annual wage base. High earners pay an extra 0.9% Medicare surtax above $200,000. SE tax is separate from, and on top of, income tax.
How is 1099 tax different from W-2 tax?+
As a W-2 employee, your employer pays half of your Social Security and Medicare (7.65%) and withholds income tax from each paycheck. As a 1099 contractor you're both employer and employee, so you pay the full 15.3% SE tax yourself — and no tax is withheld, so you make quarterly estimated payments. You can deduct half of the SE tax and your business expenses, which softens the difference.
Do I have to pay taxes quarterly as a 1099 worker?+
Generally yes. If you expect to owe $1,000 or more, the IRS wants estimated tax paid in four installments (typically April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15). Missing them can trigger an underpayment penalty. The calculator divides your estimated annual tax into four equal payments so you know what to send each quarter.
What deductions lower my self-employment tax?+
Ordinary and necessary business expenses — supplies, software, mileage, a home office, health insurance premiums, and retirement contributions — reduce your net profit, and SE tax is charged on profit, so every deductible dollar cuts both SE and income tax. On the income-tax side you may also qualify for the 20% Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction. Enter your expenses above to see the effect.
Are these 1099 tax estimates exact?+
No — treat them as planning estimates. They use 2026 federal brackets and representative state income tax, apply the standard deduction, and simplify QBI and the additional-Medicare threshold. Your actual return depends on other income, credits, and deductions. Use this to size your quarterly payments, and confirm with a tax professional or the IRS forms (Schedule C, Schedule SE, Form 1040-ES).
Related tools
Related calculators
- Paycheck calculator — take-home pay for W-2 employees.
- Bonus tax calculator — withholding on a bonus or commission.
- Sales tax calculator
Uses 2026 federal and state figures and simplifies QBI and the additional-Medicare threshold. This is a planning estimate, not tax advice — confirm with a tax professional or the IRS forms (Schedule C, Schedule SE, Form 1040-ES).