Free tax tools for freelancers and the self-employed
Accurate, plain-English calculators built for 1099 workers, gig drivers, freelancers, and solo business owners. No sign-up, no lead gen, no catch — just math.
Why we built this
Most "self-employment tax calculators" on the internet are buried inside lead-gen funnels, full of popups, or simply wrong about the deductible half of SE tax. We built this site because we couldn't find a clean, fast, accurate tool for the 50 million Americans who earn 1099 income. Every calculator here is free, has no account, and shows the full math behind the result so you can double-check it yourself.
We are not accountants and nothing on this site is tax advice — it is a calculator, not a CPA. For your specific situation, especially anything above $50k of net self-employment income, talk to a credentialed tax professional. Our calculators are reviewed by a licensed CPA and updated each year when the IRS publishes new thresholds.
Understanding self-employment taxes
If you earn income outside of a traditional W-2 job — whether as a freelancer, independent contractor, gig worker, or sole proprietor — the IRS treats you as both the employer and the employee. That means you're responsible for the full 15.3% FICA contribution: 12.4% for Social Security (on earnings up to $176,100 in 2026) and 2.9% for Medicare (on all earnings, with an additional 0.9% surtax above $200,000 for single filers).
On top of self-employment tax, you owe federal income tax on your net profit. The combined burden for most freelancers earning $50,000-$150,000 falls between 28% and 35% of gross income. This is why working backwards from your take-home goal is so important: a $100,000 gross doesn't put $100,000 in your pocket.
The good news is that there are several powerful deductions available to self-employed workers. You can deduct the employer-equivalent half of your SE tax, contribute to a solo 401(k) or SEP-IRA with pre-tax dollars, claim the home office deduction, deduct health insurance premiums, and write off legitimate business expenses on Schedule C. Many freelancers also qualify for the 20% Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction under Section 199A.
Quarterly estimated taxes: what freelancers need to know
Unlike W-2 employees who have taxes withheld from every paycheck, freelancers must pay estimated taxes four times per year. The IRS expects payments on April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year. Miss a payment, and you'll face an underpayment penalty — essentially interest on the amount you should have paid.
The simplest way to avoid penalties is the prior-year safe harbor: pay at least 100% of your prior year's total tax liability in four equal quarterly installments (110% if your adjusted gross income exceeded $150,000). Even if your income rises and you owe more at filing time, you won't owe a penalty if you hit this threshold. Our quarterly estimated tax calculator can help you determine the right amount.
Guides and resources
Our calculators give you the numbers, but understanding the "why" behind them makes you a better financial planner. Explore our in-depth guides:
How our calculators work
Every calculator on this site runs entirely in your browser. When you enter your income, tax rate, or other figures, the computation happens on your device using JavaScript — your financial data is never sent to our servers, stored in a database, or shared with anyone. We believe a calculator should be a tool you can trust, not a data collection mechanism.
Our formulas are based on IRS-published rates, thresholds, and worksheets for the 2026 tax year. Each calculator shows a full breakdown of the math so you can verify the result against your own calculations or your CPA's work. If you spot an error, please email us — we take accuracy seriously and will correct mistakes within 24 hours.