Enter your income below. Get your SE tax, federal income tax, and exact quarterly payment amounts — using 2026 IRS rates.
2026 self-employment tax & quarterly payments
Federal taxes only. Results are estimates — not tax advice. Consult a CPA for filing.
Adjust the inputs to see your numbers update in real time.
Pay these four times per year. Missing a deadline triggers IRS underpayment penalties.
We'll send your personalized payment schedule plus freelancer tax tips — no spam.
The Freelancer Bundle includes invoice generator, expense tracker, tax vault, and deduction estimator. Built for 1099 contractors.
Freelancers and 1099 contractors are responsible for their own tax payments. Here's how it works.
If you're self-employed, no employer withholds taxes from your pay. The IRS requires you to prepay your tax liability in four installments throughout the year. These are called "estimated tax payments." If you owe more than $1,000 at filing time, you're generally required to make quarterly payments.
SE tax covers Social Security (12.4%) and Medicare (2.9%) — a combined 15.3%. W2 employees split this with their employer (each pays 7.65%). As a freelancer, you pay the full 15.3% yourself. The IRS allows you to deduct 50% of SE tax from your gross income when calculating your federal income tax, which partially offsets the burden.
We use IRS-accurate 2026 rates. Your net SE income × 92.35% = SE tax base. Apply 12.4% SS (capped at $184,500) + 2.9% Medicare = total SE tax. Then: gross income − 50% SE deduction − standard deduction = taxable income. Run that through 2026 brackets for federal income tax. Add both for your total liability.
If you owe $1,000 or more when you file and didn't make adequate quarterly payments, the IRS charges an underpayment penalty. The rate is the federal short-term interest rate plus 3 percentage points — currently around 7–8% annually, applied quarter by quarter to the amount you should have paid.
Safe harbor rule: You can avoid all underpayment penalties by paying at least 100% of last year's total tax liability (or 110% if your prior-year AGI exceeded $150,000). This means even if your income spikes, you're penalty-free as long as you covered last year's bill. Use ToolCrate's estimator to set aside the right amount each quarter.
Enter your income once and get a full breakdown — SE tax, federal income tax, effective rate, and quarterly payment amounts. Updates in real time as you change inputs. Free, no account needed.
Sign up below and we'll email your personalized payment schedule before each due date — Apr 15, Jun 16, Sep 15, Jan 15. Never miss a payment and never pay a penalty.
Every deductible business expense reduces your net SE income and therefore your tax bill. Our Expense Tracker captures every deductible cost across 20 IRS-recognized categories.
Store your W-9s, 1099s, receipts, and tax returns in one place. Organized, searchable, and accessible when your CPA needs them at filing time.
We'll email you before each IRS deadline so you never miss a payment. Plus freelancer tax tips, deduction guides, and estimated payment reminders.
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