Operation Solo

1099 Tax Estimator

Freelance income isn't like a paycheck — nothing's withheld, and April can hurt. See the real number now, and what to set aside each quarter.

Estimate only — not tax advice. Uses 2025 federal brackets and standard deduction; ignores the Social Security wage-base cap and credits/deductions beyond the standard one. For the exact SE-tax split with the $184,500 cap, use the SE Tax Calculator. Talk to a CPA for your real return.

2026 payments: the 1099-NEC/MISC reporting threshold rose from $600 to $2,000 per payee (OBBBA §70433), inflation-indexed from 2027. This changes paperwork, not your tax bill — you owe tax on every dollar even when no form is issued.

Turn the estimate into a system

Our $24 1099 Contractor Tracker keeps your income, expenses, and quarterly payments organized all year — so April holds no surprises. Get the free W-9 chase checklist:

Common questions

What percentage of 1099 income should I set aside for taxes?

The common rule of thumb is 25–30% of net freelance income. The exact number depends on your bracket, state, and deductions — run the estimator above with your real numbers instead of guessing.

Do I have to pay quarterly estimated taxes?

Generally yes, if you expect to owe more than $1,000 in tax for the year after withholding and credits. Miss a quarterly deadline and interest accrues from the due date.

What is the self-employment tax rate?

15.3% (12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare) applied to 92.35% of your net self-employment earnings. Half of it is deductible when computing your income tax.