Stop guessing.
Start knowing what you actually owe.
SelfPaycheck gives freelancers, contractors, and sole proprietors in the US the clearest tax calculators on the web. No jargon. No sign-up. Just answers.
Gig Workers
Uber, DoorDash, Instacart, TaskRabbit
Sole Proprietors
Running your own small business
Partners in a Partnership
Sharing business income with others
15.3%
SE tax rate most freelancers pay
$400
Minimum income to owe SE tax
4x
Quarterly payments per year
50%
Of SE tax is deductible
Find the right calculator for you
Simple, accurate tools built specifically for self-employed Americans. More calculators are on the way.
Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Calculate your exact Schedule SE liability – Social Security, Medicare, and the 50% deduction – based on your net earnings.
Your tax answer in 3 simple steps
No accountant needed. Pick a calculator, enter your numbers, and get a clear breakdown in seconds.
Choose a calculator
Browse the directory and pick the one that matches your situation. Each tool is focused on one job so you’re never overwhelmed.
Enter your numbers
Input your income, filing status, and relevant details. Everything is labeled in plain English – no tax jargon required.
Get a clear breakdown
See exactly what you owe and why. Each result includes a line-by-line explanation so you understand your tax, not just the number.
Built for people who work for themselves
Everything we build is designed around the real situations self-employed Americans actually face.
IRS-accurate calculations
Every formula follows the official IRS rules – Schedule SE, the 92.35% adjustment, wage base caps – kept current each tax year.
Your data stays with you
All calculations run entirely in your browser. We never see, store, or transmit anything you enter. Ever.
Plain-English explanations
Every result comes with a clear explanation of the math so you actually understand your tax, not just the final number.
Always up to date
Tax rates, brackets, and wage bases change every year. We update every calculator before tax season so you always get accurate results.
Common questions
Quick answers about self-employment tax in the US.
What is self-employment tax?
It’s the combined Social Security (12.4%) and Medicare (2.9%) tax – totaling 15.3% – that you pay when you work for yourself. Employees split this with their employer, but self-employed people pay both halves.
Who has to pay self-employment tax?
Anyone with $400 or more in net self-employment income in a tax year — freelancers, contractors, gig workers, sole proprietors, and partners in a partnership.
Do I need to make quarterly tax payments?
If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal taxes for the year, the IRS requires estimated quarterly payments. Our quarterly calculator (coming soon) will show you exactly how much to send each quarter.
Can I deduct self-employment tax?
Yes — you can deduct half of your SE tax from your gross income when calculating your income tax. Our SE tax calculator shows this deduction automatically.
Are these calculators a substitute for a tax professional?
No — they’re designed to help you understand and estimate your tax obligation, not replace professional advice. For complex situations, we always recommend consulting a CPA or enrolled agent.
Ready to know your number?
Everything we build is designed around the real situations self-employed Americans actually face.