Self-Employment Tax Calculator
How much self-employment tax do you owe? From your net profit, work out the Social Security and Medicare tax (SECA, 15.3%) and the deductible half — in dollars.
Key facts
- Self-employment tax = 15.3% (12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare) on 92.35% of your net profit. The 92.35% factor mirrors the employer half that employees don’t pay themselves.
- Only the Social Security part (12.4%) is capped — at the 2026 wage base ($184,500 of combined wages + net earnings). Medicare (2.9%) has no cap. W-2 wages already taxed for Social Security use up the base first.
- Half of your self-employment tax is an above-the-line deduction — you pay income tax on a smaller number. Below $400 of net self-employment earnings, no self-employment tax is due.
FAQ
- What is self-employment tax?
- The self-employed version of Social Security and Medicare (SECA): 15.3% (12.4% + 2.9%) on 92.35% of your net profit. Employees split this with an employer — the self-employed pay both halves.
- Is there a cap?
- Only on the Social Security part: 12.4% applies up to the wage base ($184,500 for 2026). The Medicare part (2.9%) has no cap. Very high earners also pay 0.9% Additional Medicare (not included here).
- Do I owe it on a small side gig?
- Only if your net self-employment earnings are at least $400 (Schedule SE). Below that, no self-employment tax is due.