$85k net SE income, no W-2 wages, $160,200 wage base
- Net earnings ≈ $78,498
- SS tax ≈ $9,734; Medicare ≈ $2,276
- Total SE tax ≈ $12,010; deductible half ≈ $6,005
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Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Estimate your self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare) from net self-employment income, accounting for the 92.35% adjustment and the Social Security wage base.
Results
- Net earnings (92.35% of net income)
- $78,498
- Social Security tax (12.4%)
- $9,734
- Medicare tax (2.9%)
- $2,276
- Total self-employment tax
- $12,010
- Deductible half of SE tax
- $6,005
How to use this calculator
- Enter net self-employment income.
- Enter any other W-2 wages to reduce remaining Social Security wage base.
- Review net earnings, SE tax components, total SE tax, and the deductible half.
Inputs explained
- Net income
- Profit after expenses from self-employment/1099 work.
- Other wages
- W-2 wages that already count toward the Social Security wage base.
- Wage base
- Annual Social Security wage cap; update each tax year.
How it works
Net earnings = net income × 92.35% (IRS adjustment).
Social Security tax = min(net earnings, wage base minus other wages) × 12.4%.
Medicare tax = net earnings × 2.9%.
Total SE tax = Social Security + Medicare; deductible half = total ÷ 2 (above-the-line deduction).
Formula
Net earnings = Net income × 0.9235 SS tax = min(Net earnings, Wage base − Other wages) × 12.4% Medicare tax = Net earnings × 2.9% Total SE tax = SS + Medicare Deductible half = Total SE tax ÷ 2
When to use it
- Planning quarterly estimated taxes for freelancers/contractors.
- Checking SE tax impact before increasing 1099 work.
- Estimating the above-the-line deduction for SE tax.
Tips & cautions
- Update the Social Security wage base each year (IRS releases annually).
- Medicare additional surtax (0.9%) on high incomes isn’t modeled; add buffer if you’re near thresholds.
- If you have significant W-2 wages, they reduce the remaining wage base for SE Social Security tax.
- Does not include the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on high incomes.
- Assumes a single filer; does not account for filing-status-specific thresholds.
- Simplified; not a full tax return. Consult a tax professional for detailed planning.
Worked examples
$120k net SE, $90k W-2 wages, $160,200 wage base
- Net earnings ≈ $110,820
- SS tax ≈ $8,705 (remaining wage base ≈ $70,200)
- Medicare ≈ $3,214; Total SE tax ≈ $11,919; deductible half ≈ $5,959
Deep dive
This self-employment tax calculator applies the 92.35% adjustment and computes Social Security (to the wage base) plus Medicare tax, showing your total SE tax and deductible half.
Use it to plan quarterly estimates and understand how additional 1099 income affects your tax bill.
FAQs
- Additional Medicare surtax?
- Not included. If your income exceeds surtax thresholds, add 0.9% of the excess to Medicare tax.
- Can I enter net loss?
- This assumes non-negative net income. Net losses generally don’t generate SE tax.
- Does filing status matter?
- Not here. This uses a single wage base and ignores filing-status surtax thresholds.
- Does this include income tax?
- No. This only covers SE tax (Social Security/Medicare).
- Wage base changes?
- Update the wage base each year per IRS limits.
Related calculators
Simplified SE tax estimate. Additional Medicare surtax, filing status differences, and full tax return interactions are not modeled. Consult a tax professional for advice.