Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Self-employed? You pay both the employee and employer share of Social Security and Medicare. This calculator shows your 15.3% self-employment tax and the half that's deductible on your income tax.
How this calculator works
Self-employment tax is 15.3% — Social Security at 12.4% plus Medicare at 2.9% — applied to 92.35% of your net profit (the IRS lets you exclude the employer-equivalent half). Social Security stops at the 2026 wage base of $184,500; Medicare continues on all earnings, with an extra 0.9% above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly). Half of the self-employment tax is deductible as an adjustment to income on Schedule 1.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it 15.3% and not 7.65%?
Employees pay 7.65% and their employer pays the other half. As a self-employed person you are both, so you pay the full 15.3%. The good news: you deduct half of it on your income tax return.
What is the 92.35% rule?
The IRS treats 92.35% of your net profit as taxable self-employment earnings, approximating the employee-equivalent deduction for the employer half. You multiply your profit by 0.9235 before applying 15.3%.
Do I pay extra Medicare above a certain income?
Yes — an additional 0.9% Medicare tax applies to earnings above $200,000 for single filers or $250,000 for married couples filing jointly. It is calculated on your net earnings, not your profit.
Disclaimer: Results are estimates for general information only and do not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Figures reflect 2026 rules and may change. Always confirm current limits and consult a qualified professional before making decisions. Official figures: IRS.gov · 2026 limits per IRS tax inflation adjustments.