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1099 Tax Calculator (2026)

Nobody withheld anything from those payments. This works out what you owe on them.

Are you 65 or older?
Service business?
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This assumes you earned nothing in Q1, Q2. The estimate spreads your figures across every quarter of the year so far, so if you have been earning all along your real bill is higher than this. Sign in to enter each quarter, or pick the quarter that matches what you typed.

Once saved, manage expenses on the Expenses page — this field will auto-update.

Health insurance & retirementBoth come off before tax is calculated — most freelancers miss them

Premiums you pay yourself — not any covered by a spouse’s employer plan.

Reduces income tax, but not self-employment tax.

Found on line 24 of your 2025 Form 1040

⚡ Instant calculations · No account required · IRS 2026 compliant

A 1099 means your client reported paying you and withheld nothing. The whole tax bill is yours to calculate and pay, in four instalments, and the IRS expects it during the year rather than at the end.

That catches people out in their first year of contracting. A salaried job hides the tax entirely; a 1099 hands you the gross and leaves the arithmetic to you.

You owe self-employment tax of 15.3% plus federal income tax at your bracket, and state income tax in most states. Against that, business expenses reduce the profit that everything is charged on, and the 20% qualified business income deduction may reduce it further.

A client only has to issue a 1099-NEC at $600 or more, but the threshold governs their paperwork and not your liability. Income below it is still taxable, and still yours to report.

Common questions

How much should I set aside from a 1099 payment?

It depends on your total income, filing status and state — the honest answer is not a single percentage. A high earner in California and a part-time freelancer in Texas can differ by more than twenty points.

What if my client never sent a 1099?

You still report the income. The form is your client’s obligation; reporting what you earned is yours.

Do I need to pay quarterly?

Generally yes, once you expect to owe $1,000 or more for the year. The 2026 deadlines are Apr 15, Jun 16, Sep 15 and Jan 15.

Can I deduct expenses without a business entity?

Yes. A sole proprietor reports business income and expenses on Schedule C. No LLC or incorporation is required to claim legitimate business costs.

Other calculators

Self-Employment Tax Calculator (2026) · Self-employment tax is 15.3% of your net profit, and it is separate from income tax. This works out both.Estimated Tax Calculator (2026) · Four payments a year, and this works out what each one should be.Safe Harbor Calculator (2026) · Pay at least this much and the penalty cannot apply, however your year turns out.Full 2026 quarterly tax calculator →