Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Estimate self-employment tax on your net earnings and what you keep after it.
How to use the Self-Employment Tax Calculator
- Enter your net self-employment earnings (income minus business expenses).
- Keep the taxable portion at 92.35% for the US, or adjust for your country.
- Keep the rate at 15.3% for the US, or enter your own.
- See the self-employment tax and your income after it.
SE tax = Net earnings × (taxable portion ÷ 100) × (rate ÷ 100)
About the Self-Employment Tax Calculator
When you work for yourself, you cover both the employee and employer share of social security and medicare taxes — the self-employment tax. This calculator estimates it from your net earnings (income after business expenses), applies the taxable portion and the rate, and shows the tax alongside what you keep and the effective rate on your net. The US defaults are built in — 15.3% on 92.35% of net earnings — but both figures are editable, so it works as a general freelancer-tax estimator anywhere.
The 92.35% factor catches people out. Self-employment tax is not charged on your whole net profit but on a slightly reduced base, which mirrors the deduction employees effectively get. Entering the full amount without that adjustment would overstate the tax, which is why the factor is a field rather than hidden in the maths.
Crucially, self-employment tax is separate from income tax — you typically owe both, so this is one piece of your total bill, not the whole thing. It also does not apply income thresholds or caps that may reduce the rate on higher earnings. For your take-home after income tax, use the take-home pay calculator, and set money aside for it with the savings goal calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the taxable portion 92.35%?
US self-employment tax is charged on 92.35% of net earnings, not the full amount — an adjustment that mirrors the deduction employees receive. Leave it at 92.35 for the US, or change it for another country.
Is this the same as income tax?
No. Self-employment tax covers social security and medicare and is separate from income tax, which you usually also owe. This estimates only the self-employment portion, so your total bill will be higher.
What are net earnings?
Your self-employment income after deducting business expenses — the profit your work actually generates. Enter that figure, not your gross revenue, for an accurate estimate.