Most freelancers have no idea what tax rate to use, so this calculates your federal rate automatically from real 2026 IRS tax brackets based on your filing status. You only need to add your state's rate if you have one.
This uses the actual 2026 IRS tax brackets and standard deduction (10% through 37%, based on Revenue Procedure 2025-32) for your filing status, rather than asking you to guess a percentage. It subtracts the standard deduction and half of your self-employment tax from your net profit to estimate taxable income, then applies the real progressive bracket structure, the same approach the IRS itself uses. It does not account for itemized deductions, credits, or other income sources, so treat it as a solid starting estimate rather than a final number.
Self-employment tax funds Social Security and Medicare, the portion an employer would normally split with you, and runs at roughly 15.3% on most net freelance earnings. Income tax is separate and depends on your total income, filing status, and where you live. Seeing these as distinct numbers, rather than one blended guess, makes it clearer why the total feels high.
For the fuller explanation of due dates and what happens if you miss a payment, see the quarterly taxes guide.