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1099 Tax Calculator

A 1099 contractor pays two federal taxes: self-employment tax of 15.3% on 92.35% of net profit, and regular income tax after the standard deduction and the 20% qualified business income deduction. For 2026, a single filer paid $60,000 with $8,000 of expenses owes about $10,193 in federal tax, or 17% of what they were paid.

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Everything clients paid you, with or without a 1099 form.

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Software, equipment, home office, business miles and other costs of the work.

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Leave at 0 if 1099 work is your only income.

Set aside for federal tax$10,19317.0% of your 1099 income, or about $2,548 a quarter.
  • Self-employment tax$7,347
  • Income tax$2,846
Net profit (income minus expenses)
$52,000
Self-employment tax, 15.3% of 92.35% of profit
$7,347
Deduction for half of self-employment tax
− $3,674
Qualified business income deduction
− $6,445
Taxable income on your return
$25,781
Extra income tax from your 1099 work
$2,846
Quarterly estimated payment
$2,548

Federal only, with the standard deduction and no credits. Add your state's income tax if it has one. If you also have a job, this is only the extra tax your 1099 work adds.

How much to set aside for 1099 taxes in 2026

The share grows with income because income tax is progressive. These figures come from this calculator for 2026 with no business expenses, no other income and the standard deduction. Expenses lower every number.

1099 incomeSingleMarried filing jointly
$25,000$4,103 (16.4%)$3,532 (14.1%)
$40,000$7,427 (18.6%)$6,050 (15.1%)
$60,000$12,037 (20.1%)$10,363 (17.3%)
$80,000$16,647 (20.8%)$14,854 (18.6%)
$100,000$22,365 (22.4%)$19,464 (19.5%)
$150,000$37,608 (25.1%)$30,990 (20.7%)

State income tax comes on top in most states, so add your state's rate to these shares.

How the calculator works

It starts with your net profit: income minus business expenses. Self-employment tax is figured as on Schedule SE, and half of it is deducted from your income. Then the 2026 standard deduction comes off ($16,100 single, $32,200 joint, $24,150 head of household), and so does the qualified business income deduction: 20% of your profit after the self-employment tax deduction, capped at 20% of your taxable income. Income tax uses the 2026 brackets from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32.

Example: a single filer with $60,000 of 1099 income and $8,000 of expenses has $52,000 of profit. Self-employment tax is $7,347.37. After deducting half of it, the standard deduction and a $6,445.26 business income deduction, taxable income is $25,781.05 and income tax is $2,845.73. The total is $10,193.09, or $2,548.27 a quarter.

For self-employment tax on its own, line by line, use the self-employment tax calculator.

Quarterly estimated tax payments for 2026

Nobody withholds tax from 1099 pay, so the IRS expects you to pay during the year if you will owe $1,000 or more. The 2026 payments are due April 15, June 15 and September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027. You can skip the January payment if you file your 2026 return by February 1, 2027 and pay the full balance with it.

To avoid an underpayment penalty, pay at least 90% of your 2026 tax or 100% of the tax on your 2025 return through these payments and any withholding. If your 2025 adjusted gross income was over $150,000 ($75,000 married filing separately), the second option rises to 110%.

If you also have a job, this calculator shows only the extra tax your 1099 work adds, since your paycheck withholding is meant to cover the tax on your wages. You can pay the extra through quarterly payments or by raising your withholding on a new Form W-4.

Questions

How much should I set aside for taxes on 1099 income?

For 2026, most single filers with $40,000 to $100,000 of 1099 income owe about 19% to 22% of it in federal tax, before expenses and state tax.

Do I have to pay taxes on 1099 income if I didn't get a 1099 form?

Yes. All income from self-employment is taxable whether or not a client sends you a 1099.

What is the qualified business income deduction?

It lets most self-employed people deduct 20% of their business profit, capped at 20% of taxable income, even with the standard deduction. For 2026 it starts to phase out above $201,750 of taxable income ($403,500 joint).

Do I need to pay quarterly estimated taxes?

Yes, if you expect to owe $1,000 or more for 2026 after withholding and credits. Payments are due April 15, June 15, September 15, 2026 and January 15, 2027.

Is self-employment tax included in this calculator?

Yes. The result adds self-employment tax, the Additional Medicare Tax if it applies, and the extra federal income tax from your 1099 profit.

Does this include state income tax?

No. It covers federal tax only. Most states also tax self-employment income, so set aside more if yours does.

Sources

Updated November 4, 2026. Estimates only, not tax or financial advice.

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