Taxes & Income

Self-Employment Tax Calculator (Schedule SE)

Calculate the 15.

What this calculator does

The Self-Employment Tax Calculator (Schedule SE) estimates your result instantly from the values you enter, using standard taxes & income formulas. Calculate the 15. Calculations run in your browser, so nothing you type is sent to a server, and the output is an estimate for planning rather than financial advice.

About Self-Employment Tax Calculator (Schedule SE)

The Self-Employment Tax Calculator computes mandatory Schedule SE taxes (12.4% Social Security up to wage cap + 2.9% Medicare) on 92.35% of net freelance/business earnings, plus the 50% employer-equivalent tax deduction.

Formula & Mathematical Calculation

Taxable Self-Employment Earnings = Net Business Profit × 0.9235

Self-Employment Tax (15.3%) = ( Taxable Earnings up to Cap × 12.4% ) + ( Taxable Earnings × 2.9% )

Above-the-Line Tax Deduction = Self-Employment Tax × 0.50

Calculation Example

$60,000 Net Freelance Profit: Taxable Earnings ($55,410) × 15.3% = $8,477.73 Self-Employment Tax (Qualifies for $4,238.87 above-the-line deduction on Form 1040!).

Key Benefits

  • Calculates 15.3% FICA self-employment tax (Social Security + Medicare)
  • Applies IRS 92.35% net earnings multiplier
  • Computes the 50% above-the-line income tax deduction
  • Accounts for Social Security annual wage base cap
  • 100% free tool for sole proprietors and LLCs

How to Use this Calculator

  1. Enter Net Self-Employment / 1099 Profit
    Input gross revenue minus allowable business expenses.
  2. Enter W-2 Wages from Other Jobs (if any)
    Input W-2 wages to check Social Security wage cap overlap.
  3. Calculate SE Tax
    Click Calculate to view self-employment tax liability and deduction.

Assumptions & Limitations

What the calculation assumes

  • Every value you enter is treated as an exact, known amount.
  • Rates and contributions are assumed to stay constant for the whole period unless the form asks for them separately.
  • Results use standard financial formulas and ignore fees, penalties and promotional terms that are not entered above.
  • Inflation, tax changes and market volatility are not modelled unless a field for them is provided.
  • Amounts are unit-agnostic: results are returned in the same currency you enter.

What it does not cover

  • Self-Employment Tax Calculator (Schedule SE) produces estimates for education and planning, not a quote, offer or professional advice.
  • Real-world outcomes differ when fees, taxes, rounding rules or provider-specific terms apply.
  • Local regulations and tax rules vary by country and change over time; verify current rules for your jurisdiction.
  • Figures are only as accurate as the inputs you supply — check them before acting on the result.
  • For decisions with lasting financial impact, confirm the numbers with a qualified professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

W-2 employees split FICA taxes with their employer (7.65% each). Self-employed individuals are both employee and employer, paying the full combined 15.3% tax.