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Self-Employment Tax Calculator 2026
Self-employed people pay both halves of Social Security and Medicare. That is the 15.3% self-employment (SE) tax, charged on 92.35% of your net profit. Enter your profit to see your 2026 SE tax and the half you can deduct.
Last reviewed: October 29, 2026.
How we calculate it
We multiply net profit by 92.35% to get net earnings from self-employment. Social Security tax (12.4%) applies only up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500, minus any W-2 wages that already used part of it. Medicare tax (2.9%) has no cap. If net earnings are under $400, no SE tax is due. The 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax applies to combined wages and SE earnings above $200,000 (single or head of household) or $250,000 (joint). It is shown separately because it is reported on Form 8959 and isn't part of SE tax.
Worked example
Example: $50,000 net profit × 92.35% = $46,175. Social Security: $46,175 × 12.4% = $5,725.70. Medicare: $46,175 × 2.9% = $1,339.08. Total SE tax: $7,064.78, of which $3,532.39 is deductible.
FAQ
What is the self-employment tax rate for 2026?
15.3%: 12.4% Social Security on earnings up to $184,500 plus 2.9% Medicare on all earnings, applied to 92.35% of net profit.
Is self-employment tax deductible?
Half of it is deductible as an adjustment to income on Schedule 1. It lowers your income tax but not the SE tax itself.
Do I owe SE tax if I made less than $400?
No. If your net earnings from self-employment are under $400, you generally don't owe SE tax.
Sources
- IRS: Self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare taxes)
- SSA: 2026 Social Security wage base $184,500
- IRS Publication 15 (2026): SS 6.2% / Medicare 1.45% rates
Last reviewed October 29, 2026 by the Self Employed Math editorial team against the sources above.