1099 & Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Calculate your Self-Employment Tax (15.3% FICA), Federal Income Tax, State Income Tax, write-offs, and estimated 1040-ES quarterly tax payments.
Income & Tax Profile
Deductible Business Expenses (Write-offs)
IRS simplified method: $5 per sq ft (max 300 sq ft = $1,500)
IRS standard mileage rate: $0.67 per business mile
Quarterly Estimated Taxes (Form 1040-ES)
To avoid IRS underpayment penalties, freelancers must make 4 quarterly installments:
W-2 Employee Salary Equivalent
As a 1099 independent contractor, you pay both halves of Social Security & Medicare taxes. To match this exact same take-home pay as a traditional W-2 employee with benefits, your required salary would be approximately:
*Reflects W-2 employer-paid portion of FICA (7.65%) and standard employee health/benefit offsets.
How it works
1
Enter your gross 1099 contract revenue and select your tax filing status and state of residence.
2
Input deductible business write-offs including software, simplified home office square footage, business mileage, and health insurance premiums.
3
Review your exact SE tax, income tax brackets, net annual and monthly take-home pay, and your 4 quarterly estimated tax payment deadlines.
Frequently asked questions
What is Self-Employment Tax (SE Tax)?
The Self-Employment Tax is a 15.3% tax consisting of 12.4% for Social Security (up to the annual wage limit) and 2.9% for Medicare on all net business earnings. While traditional W-2 employers pay half of FICA, 1099 contractors pay the entire 15.3% themselves, but receive an above-the-line deduction for 50% of the SE tax paid.
Who needs to pay quarterly estimated taxes (Form 1040-ES)?
If you expect to owe at least $1,000 in federal taxes for the year after subtracting credits and withholding, the IRS requires you to make quarterly estimated payments by April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. Failing to make sufficient timely payments triggers underpayment penalties.
How does the Section 199A QBI deduction work for 1099 workers?
The Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction allows eligible self-employed individuals and pass-through business owners to deduct up to 20% of their net qualified business income from federal taxable income, lowering their overall income tax bracket.
Is this tool free?
Yes. The site is supported by ads, so you never pay or need to create an account.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes. The page adapts to your screen and does not require installing any app.