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Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Calculate the SE tax — both halves of FICA — on Schedule C net income or partnership K-1 income. Includes Social Security cap, Medicare base rate, and the 0.9% additional Medicare surtax.
Schedule C net or partnership K-1
Total SE tax
$12,010
14.1% of net SE income
Social Security portion
$9,734
12.4% up to wage base
Medicare portion
$2,276
2.9% on all SE income
Half SE tax deduction
$6,005
above-the-line deduction
How SE tax works
SE tax = both halves of FICA: 12.4% Social Security up to the wage base + 2.9% Medicare on everything + 0.9% additional Medicare on income above $200k single / $250k joint. The first 92.35% of SE income is the taxable base.
You can deduct half of SE tax (Social Security + base Medicare portions only) above-the-line on Form 1040. This calculator computes that. Additional Medicare on the employee side is not part of the deductible half.
How to Use
- Enter your net self-employment income (Schedule C net or K-1 ordinary income).
- Enter any W-2 Social Security wages already paid in (so SS cap isn't double-counted).
- Pick filing status — affects the additional Medicare surtax threshold.
- Read total SE tax and the half deductible above-the-line on Form 1040.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is SE tax so much higher than payroll tax?
When you're self-employed you pay both the employee and employer halves of FICA. As an employee, you pay 7.65% (6.2% SS + 1.45% Medicare) and your employer matches. Self-employed: you pay both = 15.3% on the relevant base.
Do I get to deduct half?
Yes — you deduct half of the Social Security and base Medicare portions above-the-line on Form 1040. This essentially mimics the employer-half deduction salaried workers get without seeing it.
What's the Social Security wage base?
$176,100 for 2026 (approximate). Above this, no Social Security tax — only Medicare continues. The wage base rises annually.
What's the additional Medicare tax?
0.9% extra Medicare on income above $200k single / $250k joint. Combined W-2 + SE income counts. No employer match on this surtax — it's purely the worker's responsibility.
Related Calculators
Quarterly Estimated Tax Calculator
Plan estimated payments to cover SE tax.
Estimated Tax Penalty Calculator
Avoid underpayment penalties on SE income.
Tax Bracket Calculator
Find your marginal income tax bracket.
Paycheck Calculator
Compare W-2 paycheck withholding to SE tax.
Salary Calculator
Compare W-2 salary to 1099 equivalent.
Section 179 Deduction Calculator
Deduct equipment to lower net SE income.
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