Self-employment tax (SE tax) is the Social Security and Medicare tax paid by freelancers, independent contractors, sole proprietors, and gig workers. Unlike employees who split FICA taxes 50/50 with their employer, self-employed individuals pay the full 15.3% — 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for...
Schedule C net profit after business expenses. Must be ≥ $400 to owe SE tax.
W-2 wages reduce remaining Social Security wage base ($176,100)
Used for Additional Medicare Tax threshold ($200k single / $250k MFJ)
TOTAL SE TAX DUE
$11,303.64
Effective rate: 14.13% · Deduction: $5,651.82
SE TAX
$11,303.64
DEDUCTION
$5,651.82
QUARTERLY
$2,825.91
SE TAX BREAKDOWN
SS WAGE BASE USED ($73,880.00 of $176,100.00)
Live diagram · updates as you type
Enter your net self-employment profit — this is your gross business income minus allowable business expenses (from Schedule C). The minimum to owe SE tax is $400.
Enter any W-2 wages you also earned this year. W-2 wages count toward the $176,100 Social Security wage base, reducing how much of your SE income is subject to the 12.4% SS portion.
Select your filing status. This determines the Additional Medicare Tax threshold — which applies at $200,000 for single filers and $250,000 for married filing jointly.
The calculator shows your total SE tax, the 50% above-the-line deduction you can claim on Form 1040, and your quarterly estimated tax payment to avoid IRS penalties.
Maria is a freelance designer with $80,000 net profit from Schedule C in 2025 and no W-2 wages. Step 1: Multiply by 92.35% → $80,000 × 0.9235 = $73,880 taxable SE earnings. Step 2: Social Security tax → $73,880 × 12.4% = $9,161.12 (under the $176,100 cap). Step 3: Medicare tax → $73,880 × 2.9% = $2,142.52. Step 4: Total SE tax = $11,303.64. Step 5: Deduction = $11,303.64 ÷ 2 = $5,651.82 (reduces her AGI and income tax). Her MAGI of $80,000 is below the $200,000 Additional Medicare threshold so no extra 0.9% applies. Quarterly estimated payment: ~$2,826.
| STEP | CALCULATION | 2025 VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Net SE earnings | Net profit × 92.35% | Reduces by 7.65% (employer share) |
| 2. Social Security tax | Net earnings × 12.4% | Capped at first $176,100 (2025) |
| 3. Medicare tax | Net earnings × 2.9% | No cap — applies to all earnings |
| 4. Total SE tax | SS tax + Medicare tax | 15.3% combined rate |
| 5. 50% deduction | SE tax ÷ 2 | Above-the-line, reduces AGI |
| 6. Additional Medicare | Net earnings × 0.9% | If MAGI > $200k/$250k/$125k |
| 7. Quarterly payment | Total SE tax ÷ 4 | Due Apr 15, Jun 16, Sep 15, Jan 15 |
Source: IRS Topic 554, Schedule SE Instructions 2025 · SS wage base $176,100 (up from $168,600 in 2024)
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IRS Schedule SE · SS wage base $176,100 for 2025 · Last updated: April 25, 2026 · Formula verified by EagleCalculator team · For informational purposes only — consult a tax professional · Eagle-eyed accuracy for every calculation.