Ledgr

1099 Tax Calculator (2026)

For freelancers, contractors, and the self-employed: estimate your self-employment tax, federal income tax, and the exact percentage to set aside from every payment. 100% private — calculations never leave your browser.

Set aside from every freelance dollar0%
Net profit (income − expenses)$0
Self-employment tax (15.3%)$0
Estimated federal income tax on profit$0
Total federal tax on your freelance work$0
You keep (after federal tax)$0

Why 1099 taxes feel so high

A W-2 employer silently pays half of your Social Security and Medicare. When you're self-employed, you pay both halves — 15.3% — before income tax even starts. The counterweight: business deductions. Every legitimate expense you track reduces both taxes at once.

Software & subscriptionsHome officeBusiness milesEquipmentPhone & internet (business %)Professional servicesInsuranceAdvertisingEducation½ of SE tax

Find every write-off — privately

Ledgr logs your income and expenses in seconds, uses on-device AI to flag likely tax deductions, estimates your quarterly set-aside, and exports an accountant-ready tax packet. No bank login. No cloud. Nothing leaves your phone.

Download Ledgr on the App Store

Free to use · Private by design · Works offline

FAQ

How much tax will I pay on 1099 income?

Self-employment tax is 15.3% of 92.35% of net profit, then federal income tax applies on top. Most freelancers land between 20% and 35% combined federal, depending on income and filing status.

Do I still owe SE tax if I made very little?

SE tax kicks in once net self-employment earnings reach $400 for the year.

When do I pay?

Quarterly: April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. Use our Quarterly Tax Calculator to size each payment.

Is this calculator private?

Yes. The math runs in your browser with no analytics, no cookies, and no data sent anywhere — the same privacy-first principle Ledgr is built on.