freelancr is a free 2025 freelancer tax calculator. Enter a paycheck amount and instantly see how much to set aside for federal income tax, state income tax, and self-employment tax.
As a freelancer or independent contractor, no taxes are withheld from your paychecks. You're responsible for paying federal income tax, self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare), and state income tax. Most freelancers should set aside 20–30% of each payment, but the exact amount depends on your total income, business expenses, state of residence, and filing status. Use the calculator above to get a precise estimate.
The self-employment tax rate for 2025 is 15.3%: 12.4% for Social Security on the first $176,100 of net earnings, and 2.9% for Medicare on all net earnings. An additional 0.9% Medicare surtax applies to earnings above $200,000. The tax is calculated on 92.35% of your net self-employment income, and you can deduct half of the SE tax from your adjusted gross income.
If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes, the IRS requires quarterly estimated payments. For 2025, payments are due April 15, June 16, September 15, and January 15, 2026. The freelancr calculator shows your estimated quarterly amount based on your annual income and deductions.