1099 Tax Calculator
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Freelance, gig or contract work paid on a 1099? Enter what you earn and your business expenses. You get your 2026 self-employment tax and federal income tax, how much of each payment to set aside, and the quarterly estimated payments due Apr 15, 2026, Jun 15, 2026, Sep 15, 2026, Jan 15, 2027.
Quarterly estimated payments
How we got your number
Each step follows IRS Form 1040-ES for 2026.
How 1099 income is taxed
Self-employment tax is Social Security and Medicare for people who work for themselves. You pay both halves: 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare, on 92.35% of your net profit. Social Security stops at $184,500 of combined wages and self-employment earnings in 2026. A further 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax applies above $200,000 ($250,000 joint). No self-employment tax is due if your net earnings are under $400.
Income tax uses the same 2026 brackets as everyone else, after you subtract half of your self-employment tax, the standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 joint) and the qualified business income deduction: up to 20% of your profit, limited to 20% of taxable income. Above $201,750 of taxable income ($403,500 joint) it can be limited further.
Estimated payments. No employer withholds tax from 1099 pay, so the IRS expects you to pay during the year if you will owe $1,000 or more. You avoid an underpayment penalty by paying at least 90% of this year's tax, or 100% of last year's (110% if last year's income was over $150,000), whichever is smaller. 2026 payments are due Apr 15, 2026, Jun 15, 2026, Sep 15, 2026, Jan 15, 2027.
Sources: IRS 2026 Form 1040-ES: 2026 tax rate schedules, standard deduction, Self-Employment Tax and Deduction Worksheet, due dates, safe harbor, QBI phase-in; IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32, section 4.26 (2026 section 199A threshold amounts) and section 2.12 ($400 minimum deduction); IRS Topic no. 560, Additional Medicare tax: 0.9%, thresholds $250,000 joint, $125,000 separate, $200,000 all others; IRS Topic no. 554, Self-employment tax. State income tax is not included: most states with an income tax also expect estimated payments from the self-employed.
Weighing a contract against a salary? See 1099 vs W-2: how much more a contractor needs to earn.
1099 Tax Calculator questions
How much should I set aside for taxes on 1099 income?
Many people set aside 25% to 30% of each payment, but it depends on your profit, your other income and your state. The calculator shows the share of each 1099 dollar your federal tax takes, so you can set aside that much plus your state tax.
What is self-employment tax?
Social Security and Medicare tax for the self-employed: 15.3% of 92.35% of your net profit, because you pay both the employee and employer halves. You deduct half of it when you figure your income tax.
When are 2026 quarterly estimated taxes due?
Apr 15, 2026, Jun 15, 2026, Sep 15, 2026, Jan 15, 2027. You can also pay the whole year by the first date. Payments go to the IRS through IRS Direct Pay, your IRS online account or EFTPS, or by check with Form 1040-ES vouchers.
Do I pay taxes on 1099 income under $600?
Yes. The $600 figure is only when a business must send a 1099-NEC. All self-employment income is taxable, and self-employment tax applies once your net earnings reach $400.
I have a W-2 job and a side gig. How does that work?
Enter both. Your wages count toward the Social Security wage base and fill the lower tax brackets first, so your side income is taxed at your top rate. You can avoid quarterly payments by raising the withholding at your job with Step 4(c) of Form W-4.