Self-Employed Tax Calculator (2026)
Self-employed tax is charged on net profit — income minus business expenses. You owe 15.3% self-employment tax plus federal and state income tax. At $100,000 of net profit, expect about $25,745.30 in federal tax. Enter your income and expenses below to see your exact total.
How are self-employed taxes calculated?
On net profit (income minus expenses): 15.3% SE tax plus federal and state income tax.
Do expenses reduce the tax?
Yes. Every deductible business expense lowers net profit, cutting both SE tax and income tax.
What total tax at $100,000 profit?
About $25,745.30 in federal tax, or roughly 25.745% of profit before state tax.
What is Schedule C?
The IRS form where sole proprietors report business income and expenses to arrive at net profit.
How do self-employed taxes work?
If you run a business as a sole proprietor, you report income and expenses on Schedule C. The result is net profit, and that is what gets taxed. You owe self-employment tax plus income tax on it.
Because there is no employer withholding, you pay as you go through quarterly estimated taxes. Deductible expenses are the main lever to lower your bill.
How do business expenses change the tax?
| Net profit | SE tax | Income tax | Total federal |
|---|---|---|---|
| $80,000 | $11,303.64 | $7,526.60 | $18,830.24 |
| $100,000 | $14,129.55 | $11,615.75 | $25,745.30 |
How do you calculate self-employed tax step by step?
- Subtract business expenses from income to get net profit.
- Apply 15.3% SE tax to 92.35% of net profit.
- Deduct half the SE tax, then apply federal (and state) income tax.
- Add the two for your total; divide by four for quarterly payments.
What can self-employed people deduct?
Ordinary and necessary business costs — home office, supplies, mileage, software, and more — reduce net profit. Lower profit means lower SE tax and income tax. For the SE portion alone, see the self-employment tax calculator.