Free Accounting Tool

1099 Tax Calculator

Estimate the federal income tax, self-employment tax, and total amount you'll owe on your 2026 1099 income — in seconds, no signup required.

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Gross income before expenses

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Deductible Schedule C expenses

$

Optional, from a separate job

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From W-2s or estimated payments

%

Approximate effective rate, leave 0 if unsure

Estimated 2026 tax

Total estimated tax

$10,884.63

Net self-employment income
$55,000.00
Self-employment tax
$7,771.25
Federal income tax
$3,113.38
State income tax
$0.00
QBI deduction (estimated)
$7,002.87
Effective tax rate
19.79%
Estimated tax owed
$10,884.63
Take-home after tax
$44,115.37

Estimate only. Uses 2026 federal brackets, the $184,500 Social Security wage base, additional Medicare tax, and a simplified QBI deduction with the active-QBI minimum. Does not model NIIT, local taxes, capital-gain limits, or QBI phaseouts.

Frequently asked questions

What is a 1099 and why do I owe more tax on it?

A 1099 reports income paid to you as an independent contractor instead of as a W-2 employee. Because no payroll tax was withheld and no employer matched your Social Security and Medicare contributions, you owe the full 15.3% self-employment tax on top of regular income tax.

How is self-employment tax calculated?

Self-employment tax is 15.3% of 92.35% of your net business earnings. That breaks into 12.4% Social Security (only on income up to the $184,500 wage base for 2026) and 2.9% Medicare (no cap). High earners may also owe the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax. Half of regular SE tax is deductible against federal income tax.

What can I deduct as a 1099 contractor?

Ordinary and necessary business expenses such as software, mileage, home office, supplies, professional services, and a portion of self-employed health insurance. These reduce both your income tax and your self-employment tax.

Do I have to pay quarterly estimated taxes?

If you expect to owe at least $1,000 in tax for the year, the IRS requires quarterly estimated payments (typically due April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15). Skipping or underpaying triggers an underpayment penalty.

Is the QBI deduction included in this estimate?

Yes. This calculator applies a simplified 20% Qualified Business Income deduction on your net self-employment income after the half-SE-tax adjustment, including the 2026 active-QBI minimum when estimated active QBI is at least $1,000. High-earner phaseouts and wage/property limits are not modeled.

Is this a substitute for a CPA or tax software?

No. This is an estimate to help you plan and budget. For your actual filing, use professional tax software or work with a CPA, especially if you have significant deductions, multiple states, or pass-through entity considerations.

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