How much should a freelancer set aside for taxes?
Quick answer
Most freelancers and sole proprietors should set aside about 25 to 30% of their net self-employment income for taxes. That covers the 15.3% self-employment tax (Social Security + Medicare) plus federal income tax. Your real number depends on your profit, filing status, and state, so it can be lower or higher. Use the free calculator below to get your set-aside percentage and your four quarterly payment amounts. Your numbers never leave your browser. Estimate only, not tax advice.
Last updated: September 2026
Set aside about
On $80,000 of net profit.
Quarterly estimated payments
$4,777 eachQ1 (Jan to Mar)
$4,777
due April 15, 2026
Q2 (Apr to May)
$4,777
due June 15, 2026
Q3 (Jun to Aug)
$4,777
due September 15, 2026
Q4 (Sep to Dec)
$4,777
due January 15, 2027
How we got there
- Net business profit
- $80,000
- Net earnings subject to SE tax (×92.35%)
- $73,880
- Self-employment tax (15.3%)
- $11,304
- Social Security portion (12.4%, capped)
- $9,161
- Medicare portion (2.9%, uncapped)
- $2,143
- Deductible half of SE tax
- − $5,652
- Taxable income (after standard deduction + half SE)
- $58,598
- Estimated federal income tax
- $7,806
- Total estimated tax
- $19,109
Assumes the 2025 standard deduction ($15,750 for single), the $176,100 Social Security wage base, and no other household income, credits, or deductions (e.g. QBI is not modeled). A simplified estimate.
What this calculator assumes
We keep the model transparent on purpose. Here's exactly what goes into your number, using the 2025 figures.
Self-employment tax of 15.3% (12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare) on 92.35% of your net profit.
The 12.4% Social Security portion is capped at the 2025 wage base of $176,100; the 2.9% Medicare portion has no cap.
Federal income tax from the 2025 brackets, applied to your profit minus the standard deduction and minus half of your self-employment tax (which is deductible).
An optional flat state effective rate applied to your profit. No QBI deduction, credits, or other household income are modeled.
2026 quarterly estimated-tax due dates
You generally pay estimated taxes if you expect to owe at least $1,000 for the year. If a due date falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day.
Q1 (Jan to Mar)
April 15, 2026
Q2 (Apr to May)
June 15, 2026
Q3 (Jun to Aug)
September 15, 2026
Q4 (Sep to Dec)
January 15, 2027
Self-employment taxes: FAQ
How much should I set aside for taxes as a freelancer?
A common rule of thumb is 25 to 30% of your net self-employment income, which covers self-employment tax (15.3%) plus federal income tax for most people. But the right number depends on your profit, filing status, and whether your state has an income tax. The calculator above gives you a personalized set-aside percentage and the dollar amount.
When are quarterly estimated taxes due?
For the 2026 tax year, federal estimated-tax payments are generally due April 15, 2026 (Q1), June 15, 2026 (Q2), September 15, 2026 (Q3), and January 15, 2027 (Q4). If a date falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day. You pay estimated taxes if you expect to owe at least $1,000 when you file.
What is self-employment tax?
Self-employment tax is the Social Security and Medicare tax that self-employed people pay on their net earnings: 15.3% total (12.4% Social Security up to the annual wage base, plus 2.9% Medicare with no cap). It's applied to 92.35% of your net business profit. Employees split this with an employer; when you're self-employed, you cover both halves, though you can deduct half of it on your income taxes.
Do your numbers leave my browser?
No. This calculator runs entirely in your browser. Your income, expenses, and any figures you type are never sent to TrainedBooks or any server. It's a free tool with no sign-up.
Is this calculator tax advice?
No. It's a simplified estimate to help you plan a tax set-aside, not tax advice and not a tax filing. TrainedBooks is bookkeeping software, not a CPA firm or tax preparer, so always confirm your actual numbers with a tax professional.
Know your set-aside every month, not just in April
This calculator estimates the year from one income figure. TrainedBooks works from your real bank and card activity. A free diagnostic shows the issues in your books, a one-time cleanup (from $1,500) fixes them, and Keep-Clean (from $49/mo) keeps your profit and tax set-aside current every month, with a clean, file-ready packet for your CPA. The diagnostic needs no card.