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Free Self-Employed Tax Calculator
Estimate income tax plus 15.3% self-employment tax on your net profit.
Enter your income and business costs to estimate the tax you may owe as a self-employed person, including the self-employment contributions that apply in your country. It helps you decide how much to set aside.
How to use the Self-Employed Tax Calculator
- Select your country at the top of the page so the currency, tax names and rates match where you do business.
- Enter your numbers. Every result updates instantly and each line of the working is shown so you can check it.
- Use the PDF or print button to keep a record, and change one input at a time to compare scenarios.
What is the Self-Employed Tax Calculator?
Working for yourself means setting money aside for tax. This estimator uses the rules for the country you select: self-employment tax in the United States, Class 4 National Insurance in the United Kingdom, CPP contributions in Canada and income tax plus Medicare levy in Australia.
What you owe when you work for yourself
An employer takes tax out of every paycheque. When you are self-employed, you have to work it out and pay it yourself, usually in instalments. Besides income tax, you also pay the social contributions that an employer and an employee normally share. The calculator estimates both for the country you pick at the top of the page.
How it works in each country
- United States: self-employment tax is 15.3% (12.4% Social Security up to a yearly limit and 2.9% Medicare) on 92.35% of net earnings, and half of it is deductible. Federal income tax comes on top, and many states add their own.
- United Kingdom: income tax on profits and Class 4 National Insurance above a threshold. You file a Self Assessment return and may make payments on account.
- Canada: income tax at federal and provincial level, plus both the employee and employer halves of the Canada Pension Plan.
- Australia: income tax on your profit plus the Medicare levy of 2%, usually paid through instalments.
A worked example (United States)
Net profit of 50,000. Self-employment tax applies to 50,000 x 92.35% = 46,175. At 15.3%, that is 7,064.78. Half of that, 3,532.39, is deducted when working out income tax. The calculator then applies the federal income tax brackets and the standard deduction to the rest. State tax is not included, so add your own.
How much to set aside
A simple habit is to move a percentage of every payment into a separate account the day it arrives. The calculator shows the effective rate and the monthly or quarterly amount to set aside. In the United States, estimated payments are generally due four times a year, in April, June, September and January. Check the dates for the current year.
Reduce what you owe, legally
Track every business expense and keep receipts. Software, equipment, a home office, professional fees, insurance and a share of phone and internet are common deductions. Pension or retirement contributions can also reduce taxable profit. The Net Profit Calculator helps you work out your real profit before tax.
What this estimate leaves out
It is a simplified estimate. It does not include VAT or GST, state or local taxes, tax credits, other income, losses carried forward or changes to the rules after the tax year shown. Treat it as a guide for setting money aside, and confirm the real figure with an accountant or your tax authority.
Tips for better results
Set aside the monthly or quarterly amount shown as soon as each payment arrives.
Track every legitimate business expense. Each pound or dollar of deductible expense reduces your taxable profit.
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Privacy and where your data goes
Documents and files you use here are processed on your own device. Signplify does not receive what you type or the files you open, which makes it suitable for sensitive information. If you clear your browser data, any saved draft is removed. Last updated: October 26, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I set aside for taxes as a freelancer?
It depends on your profit and country. Many freelancers keep 25% to 35% of each payment. Use the calculator to see the share for your own numbers.
What is self-employment tax?
In the United States, it is the Social Security and Medicare tax that self-employed people pay themselves, at 15.3% on 92.35% of net earnings.
Do I pay tax on gross income or profit?
Tax is on your profit: income minus allowable business expenses.
Does the calculator include state or provincial tax?
The US estimate covers federal tax only. For Canada you can enter an average provincial rate. Add state or local taxes yourself.
When are self-employed taxes due?
It depends on the country. In the US, estimated payments are generally due quarterly. The UK uses Self Assessment, and Australia uses instalments.
Is this calculator tax advice?
No. It is an estimate for planning. Confirm the real amounts with an accountant or your tax authority.
What do I enter in the self-employed tax calculator?
You enter Gross Income and Business Expenses. The result updates as you type, so you can change one number and see the effect straight away.
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