For self-employed individuals calculating Social Security and Medicare taxes
Calculate your self-employment tax liability including Social Security and Medicare portions. See your deductible amount and understand how SE tax differs from employee payroll taxes.
Total SE Tax
$14.1K
Tax-Deductible Amount
$7.06K
On $100,000 of self-employment income, you owe $14,130 in SE tax (14.1% effective rate). You can deduct $7,065 from your adjusted gross income.
Self-employment tax is the Social Security and Medicare tax for self-employed individuals. Unlike W-2 employees who split FICA taxes with their employer, self-employed individuals pay both the employer and employee portions—a combined 15.3% on net earnings.
Social Security tax applies up to the annual wage base. This calculator applies to sole proprietors, single-member LLCs (taxed as disregarded entities), and partners. S-Corps and C-Corps have different tax structures where owners pay FICA only on wages, not on all profits.
Total SE Tax
$14.1K
Tax-Deductible Amount
$7.06K
On $100,000 of self-employment income, you owe $14,130 in SE tax (14.1% effective rate). You can deduct $7,065 from your adjusted gross income.
Self-employment tax is the Social Security and Medicare tax for self-employed individuals. Unlike W-2 employees who split FICA taxes with their employer, self-employed individuals pay both the employer and employee portions—a combined 15.3% on net earnings.
Social Security tax applies up to the annual wage base. This calculator applies to sole proprietors, single-member LLCs (taxed as disregarded entities), and partners. S-Corps and C-Corps have different tax structures where owners pay FICA only on wages, not on all profits.
We'll white-label it, match your brand, and set up lead capture. You just copy-paste one line of code.
No pressure. Just a friendly conversation.
SE Tax = (Net SE Income × 0.9235) × 0.153; where 0.153 = 12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare; Deductible = SE Tax × 50%
Self-employment tax is calculated on 92.35% of net self-employment income. The 15.3% rate combines Social Security (12.4%) and Medicare (2.9%). Half of the SE tax is deductible as an adjustment to income.
Self-employment tax covers both the employee and employer portions of Social Security and Medicare taxes - a combined 15.3% versus the 7.65% employees pay. This is often the largest tax burden for self-employed individuals.
The good news is you can deduct half of your self-employment tax (the "employer" portion) when calculating adjusted gross income. This reduces your overall tax burden and is taken above-the-line, meaning you get it even without itemizing.
Planning for quarterly estimated payments is crucial. Self-employment tax, combined with income tax, can create significant quarterly obligations. Missing these payments triggers IRS penalties and interest.
Consultant with $100,000 net self-employment income
SE Tax: $14,130 (12.4% SS + 2.9% Medicare on $92,350 taxable base). Deductible amount: $7,065
Self-employed professional with $300,000 net income
SS Tax capped at wage base. Medicare tax continues on all earnings plus 0.9% additional Medicare tax
The 92.35% factor (100% minus 7.65%) simulates the employer portion deduction that W-2 employees receive. Employers don't pay FICA tax on their matching contribution, so self-employed individuals get an equivalent reduction in their taxable base.
The Social Security wage base is the maximum earnings subject to Social Security tax. For 2025, it's $176,100. Earnings above this amount are not subject to the 12.4% Social Security tax, but Medicare tax (2.9% plus potential 0.9% additional) applies to all earnings with no cap.
Employees pay 7.65% FICA (6.2% SS + 1.45% Medicare) while employers pay matching 7.65%. Self-employed individuals pay both portions (15.3% total) but get to deduct the employer-equivalent half when calculating AGI, making the effective rate comparable.
Calculate your home office tax deduction using the simplified ($5/sq ft) or regular method. See your potential deduction based on office size and expenses.
Compare the standard mileage rate (67¢/mile) vs actual expense method to maximize your vehicle tax deduction. See which method saves you more.
Plan your S-Corp compensation strategy. See how your salary and distribution split affects your FICA tax obligation.
Estimate your self-employment tax and quarterly payments as a 1099 contractor. See how much to set aside for taxes.
Calculate your federal quarterly estimated tax payments. Includes Schedule C self-employment income, W-2 withholding, safe harbor rules, and quarterly payment schedule.