Self-Employment Tax Calculator 2026
Self-employment tax starts with 92.35% of net self-employment income: 12.4% Social Security up to the 2026 $184,500 wage base, plus 2.9% Medicare and a possible 0.9% additional line.
Last updated: October 27, 2026
Regular self-employment tax is the deductible-half basis; Additional Medicare tax is shown separately and is not included in §164(f) half deduction.
FAQ
What is net self-employment income?
It is business profit after ordinary business expenses, before the self-employment tax calculation.
Why use 92.35%?
The IRS generally multiplies net profit by 92.35% to determine net earnings subject to self-employment tax.
What is the 2026 Social Security wage base?
SSA lists $184,500 for 2026. W-2 wages use that room before self-employment income.
What is Additional Medicare tax?
A 0.9% tax can apply above the filing-status threshold to combined wages and net self-employment earnings.
Is half of every line deductible?
This display applies the §164(f) half deduction to regular self-employment tax; it does not include Additional Medicare tax.
Is this a tax return calculation?
No. It is an educational federal estimate and not advice.
Methodology
Net earnings from self-employment are generally 92.35% of net self-employment income. The estimate applies 12.4% OASDI up to the combined 2026 Social Security wage base, 2.9% Medicare without a cap, and 0.9% Additional Medicare tax above $200,000 Single/HoH, $250,000 MFJ or $125,000 MFS. Existing W-2 wages reduce remaining OASDI room; MFJ spouse wages are included for the MFJ household threshold. The §164(f) deduction shown is one-half of regular self-employment tax (OASDI + Medicare); Additional Medicare tax is not included in that deduction. SSA source quote: “For earnings in 2026, this base is $184,500.”
This federal estimate excludes income-tax brackets, state tax, voluntary methods, church employee rules, credits and return-specific adjustments.
Sources: SSA Contribution and Benefit Base; IRS Publication 334 and Publication 505; IRC §§1401, 164(f), 3101(b)(2) (the prompt’s $0.90 output requires roughly a $100 threshold excess after the 92.35% conversion) — accessed October 2026Last updated: October 27, 2026 · Reviewed against official IRS guidanceContinue with OBBBA Tax Center