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1099 Estimated Tax Calculator

Estimate 2026 federal tax on 1099 and freelance income: self-employment tax at 15.3% of 92.35% of profit, the half-SE-tax and 20% QBI deductions, income tax, and the quarterly Form 1040-ES payment that keeps you clear of the underpayment penalty.

Updated November 4, 2026. Free, no sign-up; everything runs in your browser and nothing you type is stored.

1099 estimated tax calculator

2026 net self-employment profit, after expenses ($)W-2 wages this year, if any ($)Filing status

Federal tax withheld from a W-2 job ($)Your total 2025 federal tax (Form 1040 line 24) ($)State income tax rate (%) 2025 AGI was over $150,000 ($75,000 married filing separately)

Quarterly estimated payment (safe harbor)

–

–Self-employment tax (15.3%)

–Half of SE tax (deductible)

–20% QBI deduction

–Taxable income

–Federal income tax

–Total 2026 federal tax

–Owed after withholding

–Total as % of profit

State estimate: –

Calculating taxes for 1099 income, step by step

Net earnings from self-employment = profit × 92.35%.
Self-employment tax = 12.4% Social Security on net earnings up to $184,500 for 2026 (minus any W-2 wages) + 2.9% Medicare on all of it, plus 0.9% additional Medicare over $200,000 ($250,000 joint). No SE tax if net earnings are under $400.
Deduct half of the Social Security and Medicare part from income.
Qualified business income deduction: generally 20% of profit (after the half-SE-tax deduction), capped at 20% of taxable income. Above $201,750 single / $403,500 joint, wage and specified-service limits phase in.
Income tax on what's left, using 2026 brackets after the $16,100 / $32,200 standard deduction.

Example: $60,000 of 1099 profit, single, no other income: SE tax $8,478, QBI deduction $7,932, income tax $3,559, total $12,037 (20% of profit), or about $3,009 a quarter.

2026 estimated tax due dates (Form 1040-ES)

Income earned	Payment due
January 1 – March 31, 2026	April 15, 2026
April 1 – May 31, 2026	June 15, 2026
June 1 – August 31, 2026	September 15, 2026
September 1 – December 31, 2026	January 15, 2027

How much should I pay each quarter? The safe harbors

You avoid the underpayment penalty if withholding plus estimates cover the smaller of 90% of this year's tax or 100% of last year's tax (110% if last year's AGI was over $150,000). Last year's figure is the easiest target because it's known; the calculator uses whichever is smaller. You can pay at IRS Direct Pay, EFTPS or with your IRS online account. If you also have a W-2 job, raising withholding on your W-4 works too, and withholding counts as if paid evenly through the year.

Common questions

How much should I set aside for 1099 taxes?

Roughly 20% to 30% of profit for federal tax, plus state tax. $60,000 of profit, single, is about $12,000 federal in 2026.

How is 1099 estimated tax calculated?

Self-employment tax (15.3% of 92.35% of profit) plus income tax on profit after half the SE tax, the 20% QBI deduction and the standard deduction.

When are 2026 quarterly estimated taxes due?

April 15, June 15 and September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027.

Do I have to pay quarterly taxes on 1099 income?

Yes if you expect to owe $1,000 or more after withholding and credits.

What is the 2026 Social Security wage base for self-employment tax?

$184,500. The 12.4% Social Security part stops there; the 2.9% Medicare part has no cap.

Sources

General information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check important numbers with the official source before acting on them.