1099 taxes in 2026: what you really owe, quarter by quarter
If you drive, deliver or freelance on a 1099, nothing is withheld — and "no withholding" is not "no tax." You owe self-employment tax (15.3%) on top of income tax, and the IRS expects it in four quarterly payments. Enter your net profit and we'll show the real number and each due date.
Estimate what you owe
How it breaks down
Your four quarterly payments (2026)
Email me my quarterly tax amount + the four due dates
Methodology & data sources
Self-employment tax is 15.3% — 12.4% for Social Security (only up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500) plus 2.9% for Medicare with no cap — applied to 92.35% of your net profit (IRS Topic 554). High earners add 0.9% Medicare above $200,000 (single) / $250,000 (joint). You then deduct one-half of the self-employment tax above-the-line, and we apply the 2026 federal brackets to your net profit minus that deduction and the standard deduction (single $16,100 · joint $32,200 · head of household $24,150) to estimate income tax. Total tax is the two added together, split into four equal quarterly estimates due April 15, June 15 and September 15, 2026 and January 15, 2027 (2026 Form 1040-ES). You avoid an underpayment penalty by paying at least 90% of this year's tax or 100% of last year's (110% if last year's AGI topped $150,000), and there's no penalty if you'll owe under $1,000. As a sole proprietor you may also qualify for the 20% Qualified Business Income deduction — made permanent by the OBBB — which lowers income tax (not SE tax); we don't include it, so your income tax could be a bit lower. Our Freshness Keeper re-checks the wage base and dates against the SSA and IRS each year.
Sources: IRS Topic 554 (SE tax) · SSA 2026 wage base ($184,500) · IRS 2026 Form 1040-ES (dates & safe harbor)
Frequently asked questions
Do I really owe tax on 1099 income?
Yes — 15.3% self-employment tax plus income tax, with nothing withheld. You owe the SE tax even when income tax is $0.
How much should I set aside?
Often 25–30% of net profit, but this calculator gives you the real figure. Tracking mileage and expenses lowers it.
What if I don't pay quarterly?
You can owe an underpayment penalty even if you pay in full by April — the IRS wants it in four installments during the year.
Does being 1099 mean I get nothing back?
Not necessarily — with low income and dependents you may still qualify for credits like the EITC or Child Tax Credit. See our refund and credit tools.