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Self-employment tax and quarterly estimated tax calculator for 2026

Enter your net profit to see Social Security and Medicare tax, the half-SE-tax deduction and a rough quarterly payment for 2026.

Net profit from self-employment, 2026 ($)

Business income minus business expenses (Schedule C line 31).

W-2 wages, if any ($)

Wages already count toward the Social Security limit.

Filing status

SingleMarried filing jointly

Add a rough federal income tax estimate2026 brackets and the $16,100 standard deduction.

Federal tax withheld from paychecks ($)

Subtracted from what you still owe.

Quarterly estimated payment

$4,708

Net earnings from SE (92.35%): $73,880
Social Security (12.4%): $9,161
Medicare (2.9%): $2,143
Self-employment tax: $11,304
Deduction for half of SE tax: $5,652
Taxable income: $58,248
Federal income tax: $7,527
Total for 2026: $18,830

Estimate only, not tax advice. It leaves out the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax, the qualified business income (QBI) deduction, credits, other income and state tax. Ask a tax professional for your numbers.

2026 estimated tax due dates

Income earned	Due	Payment
Jan 1 to Mar 31, 2026	April 15, 2026	$4,708
Apr 1 to May 31, 2026	June 15, 2026	$4,708
Jun 1 to Aug 31, 2026	September 15, 2026	$4,708
Sep 1 to Dec 31, 2026	January 15, 2027	$4,708

Pay through IRS Direct Pay or your IRS online account. A date on a weekend or holiday moves to the next business day.

IN SHORT

Self-employment tax for 2026 is 15.3 percent of 92.35 percent of your net profit: 12.4 percent Social Security on earnings up to $184,500 and 2.9 percent Medicare with no cap. You deduct half of it when figuring income tax. Estimated payments are due April 15, June 15 and September 15, 2026 and January 15, 2027. This is an estimate, not tax advice.

Prices and limits as of October 26, 2026.

Questions

How is self-employment tax calculated?

Multiply net profit by 92.35% to get net earnings from self-employment. Then 12.4% Social Security applies up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500 (minus any W-2 wages) and 2.9% Medicare applies to all of it. Under $400 of net earnings, there's no SE tax.

When are 2026 quarterly estimated taxes due?

April 15, 2026 for January to March income, June 15 for April and May, September 15 for June to August, and January 15, 2027 for September to December.

What does the income tax estimate leave out?

The 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax, the qualified business income (QBI) deduction, itemized deductions, credits, other income and state tax. It uses the 2026 brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly).

Do I have to pay quarterly?

Generally yes, if you expect to owe $1,000 or more for the year after withholding and credits. Paying at least 100% of last year's tax (110% at higher incomes) or 90% of this year's usually avoids the underpayment penalty.

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