Freelancer Tax Estimator (US)
Rough out your annual tax and quarterly payments — so April does not surprise you.
This is not tax advice. This calculator gives a rough planning number only — it does not replace a tax professional, and it does not model deductions, credits, state taxes, or self-employment tax in detail. That said, a rough number beats no number: many freelancers are caught out because no employer withholds tax for them, so a whole year of tax arrives at once. This estimator starts from your annual net self-employment income and an effective tax rate you choose, then shows the estimated annual tax, what is still owed after payments you have already made, and the quarterly amount that would spread the bill evenly. Use the result to set aside money each month and to sanity-check whether your quarterly payments are in the right ballpark. If the numbers move your plans — a big payment, a new state, a retirement contribution — talk to a qualified tax professional before acting. All calculations run in your browser and nothing is stored.
Your numbers
Your estimate
Not tax advice. This is a rough planning estimate only. It ignores deductions, credits, state tax, and self-employment tax details. Consult a qualified tax professional.
Recommended tools
Accounting and tax tools we are reviewing. No recommendation yet — placeholder for vetted picks only.
How to use the result
- Move the quarterly payment into a separate account each quarter so the money is there when it is due.
- If remaining owed is large, raise the next quarterly payments instead of hoping the year-end bill shrinks on its own.
- Re-run the estimator whenever income jumps — a single big project can push you into a higher effective rate.
Frequently asked questions
What effective rate should I enter?
Use a rough combined rate from last year’s return or your accountant’s guidance. This calculator does not compute your rate — it applies the one you enter.
Does this include self-employment tax?
Not separately. If you want a rough total, fold an allowance for self-employment tax into the effective rate you enter, and confirm the split with a professional.
What if I overpaid?
Then remaining owed shows $0 and the overpayment would come back as a refund or credit. This calculator floors the balance at zero rather than showing a negative amount.