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Same math, but the deductions you can actually take are different for every gig. Find yours:
Why this exists
Nobody hands gig workers a W-4. You get paid in full, no tax withheld, and then April (or June, or September) shows up and you owe money you didn't set aside. Over 70 million Americans now freelance or do gig work in some form — about a third of the workforce — and almost none of them get a clear answer to "how much do I actually owe?"
This calculator gives you that number in 30 seconds, using the real 2026 IRS self-employment tax rules, including the 20% pass-through (QBI) deduction most free calculators skip entirely — which is usually the difference between "set aside 30%" advice that's way too high and a number that's actually right for you.
How the math works
- Self-employment tax: 15.3% of 92.35% of your net profit (12.4% Social Security, capped at $184,500 for 2026, plus 2.9% Medicare, uncapped).
- Standard deduction: $16,100 single / $32,200 married filing jointly / $24,150 head of household for 2026.
- QBI deduction: most self-employed people can deduct another 20% of their business income before federal income tax applies.
- Federal income tax: calculated on what's left, using the actual 2026 tax brackets.
This tool covers federal tax only. It does not include state income tax, which varies a lot depending on where you live. It's a planning estimate, not tax advice — for your specific situation, talk to a CPA or enrolled agent.