Self-Employment Tax Calculator 2026
Your SECA tax on Schedule C profit — Social Security, Medicare, the additional 0.9%, and the deductible half you can take above the line.
Your result
Where these figures come from
- Wage base
- $184,500 · SSA release, 24 Oct 2025
- SECA rate
- 15.3% · IRC §1401
- Net-earnings factor
- 92.35% · IRC §1402(a)(12)
- Additional Medicare
- 0.9% over $200,000 · IRC §1401(b)(2)
- Verified
- 2 October 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the self-employment tax rate for 2026?
15.3% — 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare. An additional 0.9% Medicare tax applies above $200,000 single or $250,000 married filing jointly.
Why is only 92.35% of my profit taxed?
The IRS multiplies net profit by 92.35% to approximate the employer half of the tax that a self-employed person does not pay directly. This prevents tax on the hypothetical employer contribution. The net-earnings factor is fixed by IRC §1402(a)(12), so it does not change from year to year.
What is the Social Security wage base for 2026?
$184,500. Income above this amount is not subject to the 12.4% Social Security portion, but Medicare still applies with no ceiling. If you also hold a W-2 job, your wages count toward the same cap — that is what the optional W-2 field does.
Can I deduct half of my self-employment tax?
Yes — 50% of the total is an above-the-line deduction on Form 1040. It reduces adjusted gross income, so it also lowers your income tax.
Do I need to pay quarterly estimated taxes?
If you expect to owe $1,000 or more for the year, the IRS requires quarterly payments. Due dates are April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15.