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The basics, no matter what you do
- Self-employment tax (15.3%) applies to net profit once it hits $400 in a year, on top of regular income tax.
- Quarterly estimated payments are due if you expect to owe $1,000 or more for the year. The 2026 due dates are April 15, June 15, September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027.
- Track every expense tied to earning the income — supplies, mileage, software, a portion of your phone and home space if used for work.
- The QBI deduction (20% of qualified business income) applies to most self-employed people under the income thresholds and is built into this calculator — many free tools skip it and overstate what you owe.
FAQ
What if I have more than one side hustle?
Combine the net profit from all of them — the IRS looks at your total self-employment income, not each gig separately, when calculating self-employment tax.
What if I also have a regular W-2 job?
Your W-2 withholding doesn't cover your side income. Estimate and pay quarterly on the side income separately, using this calculator.
Does this calculator include state taxes?
No, federal only — state income tax rules and rates vary too much by state to estimate accurately in one tool. Check your state's department of revenue for state-specific quarterly rules.