Calculator · Tax year 2026
1099 Tax Calculator 2026: how much will I owe?
Estimate your full 2026 federal tax on 1099 income: income tax and self-employment tax, with the standard deduction and the 20% QBI deduction. Add a W-2 job or payments you already made to see your balance due or refund.
1099 tax receipt · 2026
Enter your 1099 income and your full tax receipt prints here.
How 1099 income is taxed, step by step
This is the order the IRS follows on your Form 1040, with a single filer who made $60,000 as an example:
| Step | Example |
|---|---|
| 1. Net profit (income − expenses, Schedule C) | $60,000.00 |
| 2. Self-employment tax (Schedule SE) | $8,477.73 |
| 3. Subtract half of it: adjusted gross income | $55,761.14 |
| 4. Subtract the standard deduction | −$16,100.00 |
| 5. Subtract the QBI deduction | −$7,932.23 |
| 6. Taxable income | $31,728.91 |
| 7. Income tax from the 2026 brackets | $3,559.47 |
| Total federal tax (step 2 + step 7) | $12,037.20 |
That is an effective rate of 20.1%, even though this person is in the 12% income tax bracket. Self-employment tax is the bigger piece for most 1099 workers.
2026 federal income tax brackets
Each rate applies only to the part of taxable income that falls in its range. Figures from the IRS for tax year 2026:
| Rate | Single | Married filing jointly | Head of household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $12,400 | $0 – $24,800 | $0 – $17,700 |
| 12% | $12,400 – $50,400 | $24,800 – $100,800 | $17,700 – $67,450 |
| 22% | $50,400 – $105,700 | $100,800 – $211,400 | $67,450 – $105,700 |
| 24% | $105,700 – $201,775 | $211,400 – $403,550 | $105,700 – $201,750 |
| 32% | $201,775 – $256,225 | $403,550 – $512,450 | $201,750 – $256,200 |
| 35% | $256,225 – $640,600 | $512,450 – $768,700 | $256,200 – $640,600 |
| 37% | Over $640,600 | Over $768,700 | Over $640,600 |
Married filing separately uses the single brackets up to the 35% rate, which ends at $384,350.
2026 standard deduction
| Single or married filing separately | $16,100 |
|---|---|
| Married filing jointly | $32,200 |
| Head of household | $24,150 |
Tax on common 1099 incomes
Total federal tax for a single filer in 2026 with only 1099 income and no expenses:
| 1099 profit | Federal tax | Effective rate | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20,000 | $3,025 | 15.1% | $252 |
| $30,000 | $5,181 | 17.3% | $432 |
| $40,000 | $7,427 | 18.6% | $619 |
| $50,000 | $9,732 | 19.5% | $811 |
| $60,000 | $12,037 | 20.1% | $1,003 |
| $75,000 | $15,495 | 20.7% | $1,291 |
| $100,000 | $22,365 | 22.4% | $1,864 |
| $150,000 | $37,608 | 25.1% | $3,134 |
Ways to lower your 1099 tax
- Deduct every business expense. Expenses lower both income tax and self-employment tax. For drivers, mileage is usually the biggest one.
- Contribute to a SEP IRA or Solo 401(k). Contributions lower your income tax (not self-employment tax) and build retirement savings.
- Deduct self-employed health insurance. Premiums you pay for yourself and your family can be an adjustment to income if you are not eligible for an employer plan.
- Claim the credits you qualify for. Credits like the Child Tax Credit or the Earned Income Tax Credit reduce the bill directly; this calculator does not include them.
Paying during the year
Nobody withholds tax from 1099 income, so if you will owe $1,000 or more the IRS expects quarterly estimated payments. Our quarterly estimated tax calculator turns this estimate into a payment plan with due dates.
Frequently asked questions
How much tax do I pay on 1099 income?
You pay self-employment tax (about 14.1% of profit for most people) plus federal income tax at your bracket rate, after deductions. For a single filer with $60,000 of profit in 2026, the total is about $12,037, or 20.1% of income. Use the calculator for your own numbers.
Why is tax on 1099 income higher than on a W-2 job?
Employers pay half of Social Security and Medicare for W-2 employees. As a 1099 worker you pay both halves through self-employment tax, and nothing is withheld, so the whole bill arrives at once unless you pay quarterly.
What is the QBI deduction?
The qualified business income deduction lets most self-employed people deduct up to 20% of their business profit (after half of the self-employment tax) from taxable income. It is limited to 20% of taxable income, phases out above $201,750 ($403,500 married filing jointly) for many businesses, and from 2026 there is a $400 minimum if you have at least $1,000 of qualified business income.
Do I get a refund if I am self-employed?
Only if you paid more than you owe, through estimated payments or withholding from another job. Enter what you have paid in the optional sections of the calculator to see whether you are on track for a balance due or a refund.
Does this include state taxes?
No. The calculator covers federal taxes only. Most states also tax 1099 income; Texas, Florida and a few others do not have a state income tax.
What does the calculator not include?
Tax credits (such as the Child Tax Credit or the Earned Income Tax Credit), itemized deductions, capital gains, and deductions like retirement contributions or self-employed health insurance. These can lower your tax, so your real bill may be smaller.
Sources
- IRS: Tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026irs.gov
- IRS: Federal income tax rates and bracketsirs.gov
- IRS: Qualified business income deductionirs.gov
- IRS: Self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare taxes)irs.gov
- IRS: About Schedule C (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From Businessirs.gov
- IRS: About Schedule SE (Form 1040)irs.gov
- IRS: About Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Returnirs.gov
- IRS: Estimated taxesirs.gov
Self-employment tax calculator → · How we calculate and verify our numbers →