1099 Tax Calculator
Estimate your self-employment taxes and see what you might owe this year. Enter your 1099 income below, and we'll calculate your federal taxes, state taxes, and Social Security and Medicare contributions. You can factor in W-2 income and other potential deductions as well.
As a self-employed worker, freelancer, gig worker, or independent contractor, your taxes work differently than they do for traditional employees of companies. Unlike traditional employees, nobody is withholding anything from your paychecks, which means figuring out what you owe falls entirely on you.
Our 1099 tax calculator above gives you an easy and fast way to estimate your federal taxes, state taxes, and self-employment tax based on your income and situation.
How to Use the 1099 Calculator
Getting an estimate takes less than a minute. Start by selecting your tax filing status (single or married) and your state (state taxes can vary quite a bit).
From there, enter your self-employment income. If you have additional W-2 income from a part-time or salaried job, or want to factor in deductions like business mileage, you can add those under the “Advanced” section.
Related: IRS Mileage Deduction Calculator
The calculator will output your estimated federal taxes, state taxes, and Social Security and Medicare contributions, along with your effective tax rate.
Keep in mind that this is an estimate based on 2026 rates and not meant to represent tax advice. Always consult a tax professional if you have any questions.
How 1099 Taxes Work
As a 1099 worker, you’re essentially running your own business in the eyes of the IRS. That comes with flexibility, but it also means that you alone are responsible for taxes that traditional employers handle automatically.
Income Tax vs. Self-Employment Tax
Most people are familiar with income tax, but self-employment tax is the one most pertinent for independent contractors. It covers your Social Security and Medicare contributions at a combined rate of 15.3%.
Unlike a traditional employee who splits this cost with their employer, you’re covering both sides yourself.
The good news is that you can deduct half of your self-employment tax when calculating your adjusted gross income, which takes some of the sting out. But even with that deduction, the total tax burden for self-employed workers is often higher than people expect when they first start out.
Quarterly Estimated Payments
Because no taxes are withheld from your 1099 income, the IRS expects you to pay as you go through quarterly estimated payments. You’ll have to turn these in four times a year in April, June, September, and January.
It’s important to file these at those times because skipping them can result in penalties even if you pay everything in full when you file.
A common rule of thumb is to set aside 25-30% of your net income as you earn it. That’s enough to give most people a reasonable buffer that will cover your federal and state-level tax obligations while having a good idea of how much pay you get to keep in your pocket.
1099 Tax Calculator FAQ
Q: What is the self-employment tax rate for 2026?
A: The self-employment tax rate for 2026 is 15.3%, which covers Social Security (12.4%) and Medicare (2.9%). You can deduct half of this amount when calculating your adjusted gross income.
Q: Do I owe taxes if I made less than $600 from a single client?
A: Yes. The $600 threshold determines whether a client is required to send you a 1099 form, but you’re legally required to report all self-employment income regardless of whether you receive documentation.
Q: How accurate is this calculator?
A: Our calculator provides a solid estimate based on 2026 federal and state tax rates, but it can’t account for every individual circumstance. Treat it as a planning tool, and consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation if you need it.
Q: Can I use this calculator if I have multiple 1099 sources?
A: Yes, just add up your total self-employment income across all sources and enter the combined figure. The calculator works off your total income, not individual clients.
1099 Tax Calculator: Start With a Good Estimate
Knowing roughly what you owe is the first step toward staying on top of your taxes as a 1099 worker. Use the calculator above to get your baseline, set aside a portion of every payment you get, and track your deductible expenses throughout the year.
Do you drive your personal vehicle to do your work? Then you’re eligible for the mileage deduction! In 2026, you can deduct 72.5 cents for every business mile you drive.
With TripLog, you can track unlimited miles automatically year-round. Just start driving, and our app will start capturing your business miles for you.