Freelancer Tax Calculator
Calculate how much of your freelance revenue should be saved for taxes so you never get surprised at tax filing time.
Business Income & Expenses
Total payments received from clients or platforms before expenses.
Ordinary and necessary expenses: supplies, software, health insurance.
W-2 wages or spouse earnings that push you into higher tax brackets.
What you keep after SECA, federal, and state taxes
1099 & SECA Tax Breakdown
- Gross 1099 / Business Revenue
- $90,000
- Deductible Business Expenses Mileage, software, equipment, home office
- -$15,000
- Net Taxable Profit (Schedule C) IRS applies SECA to 92.35% of this amount
- $75,000
- Self-Employment Tax (SECA 15.3%) SS: $8,589 • Medicare: $2,009
- -$10,597
- 50% SE Tax Deduction (AGI Benefit) Deducted above-the-line from federal tax
- $5,299
- Estimated Federal Income Tax Standard deduction subtracted
- -$6,504
- Estimated State Income Tax CA state tax estimate
- -$3,220
- Total Estimated Tax Obligation
- -$20,322
- Estimated Net Take-Home Profit
- $54,678
PayCalcly provides estimates for informational purposes only. Tax calculations may vary based on individual circumstances. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the IRS.
How It Works
Designed for gig economy workers, freelance creators, and independent professionals to estimate tax reserves needed from client invoices and calculate Schedule C deductions.
Calculation Example
A designer billing $5,000 per month ($60,000/year) with $6,000 in expenses pays approximately $7,630 in SECA tax and $4,200 in federal income tax, netting roughly $42,170 in take-home profit.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Sole proprietors filing Schedule C on their personal Form 1040 are legally entitled to the same business expense deductions as registered LLCs or corporations.
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