Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Self-employed people pay both the employee and employer shares of Social Security and Medicare, known as self-employment tax. It is charged on 92.35% of net profit and is separate from income tax.
Enter your figures below. Results update as you type.
Self-employment tax$11,303.6414.1% of your profit
- Social Security (12.4%) 81%
- Medicare (2.9%) 19%
- Earnings subject to the tax (92.35%)
- $73,880.00
- Social Security part
- $9,161.12
- Medicare part
- $2,142.52
- Deductible half
- $5,651.82
- Suggested quarterly set-aside
- $2,825.91
This covers Social Security and Medicare only. Income tax is owed on top. Rates and the wage base are set by law and change; confirm the figures for your tax year with the IRS or a tax professional.
How the Self-Employment Tax calculation works
Self-employment tax = 92.35% of net profit x 15.3% (12.4% Social Security up to the wage base + 2.9% Medicare)
On $80,000 of net profit, $73,880 is subject to the tax. Social Security at 12.4% is $9,161 and Medicare at 2.9% is $2,143, for $11,304 in total, 14.1% of the profit. Half of it, $5,652, is deductible when working out income tax.
Frequently asked questions
How much is self-employment tax?
15.3% of 92.35% of your net profit: 12.4% for Social Security up to the yearly wage base and 2.9% for Medicare with no limit. An extra 0.9% Medicare tax applies to high earners.
Do I pay self-employment tax and income tax?
Yes. They are separate taxes, both reported on your return. You can deduct half of your self-employment tax when calculating income tax.
What is the Social Security wage base?
The most earnings subject to the Social Security part of the tax in a year. It is $184,500 for 2026 and $192,300 for 2027.
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