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Form Schedule C Calculator

Work out Schedule C net profit for 2026 and the self-employment and income tax on it.

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

Form Schedule C calculator (2026)

Filing statusGross receipts, line 1 ($)Returns and allowances ($)Cost of goods sold ($)Other expenses: supplies, software, phone, ads ($)Business miles Jan 1 - Jun 30Business miles Jul 1 - Dec 31Business meals ($, 50% deductible)Home office, line 30 ($)Other income ($)

Net profit, line 31

–

–Car expenses at the IRS mileage rate

–Self-employment tax (Schedule SE)

–QBI deduction (approx.)

–Federal income tax

–Total federal tax

How Schedule C works

Schedule C (Form 1040) reports profit or loss from a business you run as a sole proprietor or single-member LLC, including 1099 freelance and gig work.

Gross income (line 7): gross receipts minus returns and cost of goods sold.
Expenses (lines 8-27): ordinary and necessary costs: advertising, car and truck, contract labor, depreciation and section 179 from Form 4562, insurance, legal and professional fees, office expenses, supplies, travel, 50% of business meals, utilities.
Car expenses: the 2026 standard mileage rate is 72.5 cents a mile January 1 to June 30 and 76 cents from July 1 (IRS), or actual costs times business-use percentage.
Home office (line 30): the simplified $5 a square foot (up to $1,500) or Form 8829.
Net profit (line 31) goes to Schedule 1 for income tax and Schedule SE for self-employment tax.

Worked example

A consultant grosses $90,000, spends $8,000 on expenses, drives 6,000 business miles ($4,455 at the split 2026 rates), has $1,200 of meals ($600 deductible) and takes the $1,500 simplified home office deduction. Net profit is $75,445, which owes $10,660 of self-employment tax before income tax. Half the SE tax and the 20% QBI deduction reduce taxable income. Plan payments with the Form 1040 ES calculator.

Common questions

What is Schedule C?

The form sole proprietors and single-member LLCs use to report business profit or loss.

What is the 2026 mileage rate for Schedule C?

72.5 cents a mile January 1 to June 30 and 76 cents from July 1.

Are meals deductible on Schedule C?

Generally 50% of business meals.

Where does Schedule C profit go?

To Schedule 1 for income tax and Schedule SE for self-employment tax.

Sources

More paycheck and tax calculators: Salary Increase Calculator · Form 8812 Calculator · Form Schedule E Calculator

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