1099 Tax Calculator (2026)

Estimate your self-employment tax, federal income tax and total tax bill on freelance income — with the QBI deduction, standard deduction and 2026 brackets built in.

$

Business income minus expenses

$

If you also have a job

%

Flat estimate; leave 0 for federal only

Total tax
$22,364.55
self-employment + federal + state
Self-employment tax
$14,129.55
15.3% on 92.35% of net earnings
Federal income tax
$8,235.00
after QBI & deductions
State tax
$0.00
not included
Take-home pay
$77,635.45
of $100,000 gross
Effective tax rate
22.4%
marginal bracket: 22%
½ SE tax deduction
$7,064.78
Schedule 1, above the line
QBI deduction (20%)
$15,367.05
Section 199A
Taxable income
$61,468.18
after $16,100 standard deduction

Federal income tax by bracket

  • 10% bracket — $12,400 taxable$1,240.00
  • 12% bracket — $38,000 taxable$4,560.00
  • 22% bracket — $11,068 taxable$2,435.00

How this 1099 tax calculator works

Enter your net 1099 income — your freelance revenue minus business expenses. The calculator then runs the 2026 U.S. federal tax math in three layers:

1. Self-employment tax

Your net earnings are multiplied by 92.35%, then taxed at 15.3% — 12.4% for Social Security (capped at the $184,500 wage base) and 2.9% for Medicare. If you also have W-2 wages, your wages count against the Social Security cap first, exactly as the IRS does. An extra 0.9% Medicare tax applies above the high-income thresholds.

2. Deductions

Half of your self-employment tax is deducted above the line, then the 2026 standard deduction applies ($16,100 single / $32,200 married / $24,150 head of household), and a 20% QBI deduction (Section 199A) is taken on your qualified business income — capped by your taxable income.

3. Federal income tax

The remaining taxable income runs through the seven 2026 federal brackets — 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% and 37% — and the calculator shows exactly how much each bracket contributes. An optional flat state rate gives you a rough state tax estimate.

Not modeled: itemized deductions, tax credits, SSTB limitations on the QBI deduction (a warning appears when your income is in the phase-out range), and state-specific rules. Use the result for planning and budgeting — then have a tax professional review your actual return. If you owe, the quarterly estimated tax calculator will split your bill into 1040-ES payments.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I set aside for 1099 taxes?

Set aside 25–30% of your net income. On $100,000 of net self-employment income in 2026 you will owe about $14,130 in self-employment tax plus $8,235 in federal income tax — roughly 22% overall. Add your state tax rate and set aside quarterly to avoid underpayment penalties.

What is the self-employment tax rate for 2026?

15.3% — 12.4% for Social Security (up to the $184,500 wage base) plus 2.9% for Medicare — applied to 92.35% of your net self-employment earnings, an effective ~14.13%. An additional 0.9% Medicare tax applies to earnings above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly).

Do 1099 workers get the QBI deduction?

Yes. Most freelancers can deduct 20% of their qualified business income under Section 199A, which reduces income tax but not self-employment tax. The deduction phases out at higher taxable incomes (around $202,600 single / $405,200 married filing jointly in 2026), and specified service businesses may lose it entirely.

What is the 2026 standard deduction?

$16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married filing jointly, and $24,150 for head of household. Most freelancers also deduct half of their self-employment tax above the line, which lowers taxable income before brackets apply.

Why is half of my self-employment tax deductible?

Because employees only pay half of FICA — their employer pays the other half. The IRS gives self-employed people the equivalent break: you can deduct the employer half (50%) of your self-employment tax as an above-the-line adjustment on Schedule 1, before the standard deduction and tax brackets apply.

More free freelance calculators

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Estimates for planning only — not tax, legal, or financial advice. Figures reflect tax year 2026 (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and apply to U.S. federal taxes; your situation may differ. Consult a qualified tax professional before making decisions.