Calculate your self-employment tax, quarterly payments, and deductions in seconds. Free, no signup, IRS-verified for 2025.
Calculate Your Self-Employment Tax
Net Self-Employment Income$0
Self-Employment Tax (15.3%)$0
Deductible Portion (50%)$0
Estimated Quarterly Payment$0
How Self-Employment Tax Works in 2025
If you're self-employed, you pay both the employer and employee portions of Social Security and Medicare taxes. This is called self-employment (SE) tax, and it's 15.3% of your net self-employment income.
The Math Behind Self-Employment Tax
The IRS calculates SE tax on 92.35% of your net income (not 100%). Here's why: employees don't pay FICA tax on the employer's portion of those taxes, so the IRS gives self-employed people an equivalent break.
For 2025, the breakdown is:
12.4% for Social Security (capped at $176,100 wage base)
2.9% for Medicare (no cap)
0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on income over $200,000
The good news: you deduct 50% of your self-employment tax as an above-the-line deduction. This reduces your adjusted gross income (AGI), which can lower your income tax bracket.
Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments
If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes for the year, the IRS requires quarterly estimated payments. These are due:
Q1: April 15, 2026
Q2: June 16, 2026
Q3: September 15, 2026
Q4: January 15, 2027
Missing quarterly payments triggers underpayment penalties, even if you pay your full tax bill by April 15.
All figures sourced from IRS.gov and verified for Tax Year 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is self-employment tax in 2025?
Self-employment tax is 15.3% on 92.35% of your net self-employment income. This includes 12.4% for Social Security (capped at $176,100 wage base) and 2.9% for Medicare (no cap).
Do I have to pay quarterly taxes if I'm self-employed?
Yes, if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes for the year. The IRS requires quarterly estimated tax payments due April 15, June 16, September 15, and January 15.
Can I deduct half of my self-employment tax?
Yes, you can deduct 50% of your self-employment tax as an above-the-line deduction on Form 1040, Schedule 1. This reduces your adjusted gross income.
What's the difference between self-employment tax and income tax?
Self-employment tax is the 15.3% tax for Social Security and Medicare. Income tax is calculated separately based on your tax bracket. You pay both.