Freelancer & 1099 Quarterly Tax Calculator
Estimate the quarterly federal taxes a freelancer or 1099 contractor should set aside — self-employment tax plus federal income tax on your net profit.
Figures last verified: not yet verified — 2026 estimates · 2026 tax year
Roughly what to set aside for each of the four estimated-tax deadlines (Apr, Jun, Sep, Jan).
| Net self-employment profit | $80,000 |
| Self-employment tax (SS + Medicare) | $11,303.64 |
| Federal income tax | $7,678.60 |
| Total estimated tax | $18,982.24 |
| Effective tax rate | 23.73% |
Federal only — excludes state and local tax and the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on high earners. Assumes the standard deduction and that this is your only income. Estimated-tax safe-harbor rules may let you pay less; consult a tax professional.
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How this calculator works
Who this is for
Freelancers, independent contractors, and anyone with 1099 income who has to send the IRS estimated tax payments four times a year instead of having tax withheld from a paycheck. Under-paying can mean penalties, so it helps to know the number ahead of time.
Why self-employed people owe more
When you're an employee, your employer pays half of your Social Security and Medicare taxes. Self-employed people pay both halves — that's the 15.3% self-employment tax (12.4% Social Security up to the annual wage base, plus 2.9% Medicare with no cap), on top of ordinary income tax.
The one break: you only pay SE tax on 92.35% of your net earnings, and you can deduct half of the SE tax when figuring your income tax.
What each input means
Enter your expected gross 1099 income and your deductible business expenses; the difference is your net profit, which drives the tax. Your filing status selects the right standard deduction and federal brackets. The result divides the annual total into four equal quarterly payments.
Caveats & data freshness
This is federal only and uses 2026 figures that still need verification against IRS and SSA sources. It excludes state tax, the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on high incomes, credits, and itemized deductions. Safe-harbor rules (paying 100–110% of last year's tax) may let you pay less each quarter. Treat it as a planning estimate, not tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
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This site is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.