Thomas P.
Thomas P. is the editor of SelfEmployLab. He builds the site's calculators and writes its guides for freelancers, 1099 contractors and side-giggers, working directly from IRS and Social Security Administration publications rather than secondhand summaries. He is not a CPA or enrolled agent, so for decisions about your own return, talk to one.
Calculators
Self-Employment Tax Calculator 2026
Estimate the Social Security and Medicare tax you owe on freelance, 1099 and side-gig income — plus your quarterly payment and the deduction you get back.
CalculatorQuarterly Estimated Tax Calculator 2026
Work out your 2026 quarterly estimated tax payments — federal income tax plus self-employment tax — and the minimum that avoids an IRS penalty.
CalculatorHow Much to Set Aside for Taxes (1099 Calculator)
Get one percentage to save from every client payment so your federal, self-employment and state taxes are covered when they come due.
Calculator1099 vs W-2 Calculator: Compare Take-Home Pay
Compare a W-2 salary with a 1099 contract after federal tax, FICA and self-employment tax — and see the contract rate you need to break even.
CalculatorFreelance Hourly Rate Calculator
Find the minimum hourly rate that pays you the take-home income you want after self-employment tax, federal tax, expenses and unbillable time.
CalculatorHome Office Deduction Calculator
Compare the simplified and regular home office deduction methods and see which gives you the bigger deduction this year.
Guides
Pennsylvania Self-Employment Tax Guide (2026)
Pennsylvania's flat 3.07% plus local earned income taxes — and Philadelphia's Net Profits Tax and BIRT. What Pennsylvania freelancers owe.
Illinois Self-Employment Tax Guide (2026)
A flat 4.95% state tax, no Chicago income tax and IRS-matching estimate dates — what Illinois freelancers owe and how to plan for it.
New York Self-Employment Tax Guide (2026)
State income tax, NYC income tax, the Unincorporated Business Tax and the MCTMT — which New York taxes a freelancer actually owes, and when.
Florida Self-Employment Tax Guide (2026)
Florida has no personal income tax, so most of a freelancer's bill is federal. The LLC annual report, sales tax and local business tax are what remain.
Texas Self-Employment Tax Guide (2026)
No state income tax — but federal tax, the franchise tax for LLCs and Texas sales tax on some services still apply. What Texas freelancers owe.
California Self-Employment Tax Guide (2026)
Federal SE tax, California's 1%–12.3% income tax, the front-loaded 30/40/0/30 estimate schedule and the $800 LLC tax — what California freelancers owe.
First-Year Freelancer Tax Checklist
What to set up when you start, what to do with every payment, and what to check each quarter and before year-end.
Hobby or Business? How the IRS Tells the Difference
Both kinds of income are taxable, but only a business can deduct expenses. The factors the IRS weighs and how to stay on the right side.
The QBI Deduction for Freelancers, Explained
Most self-employed people can deduct up to 20% of business profit. How it's calculated, 2026 thresholds, and how to claim it.
Self-Employment Tax vs Income Tax: What’s the Difference?
Freelancers pay both on the same profit. How each is calculated, which deductions cut which, and a worked 2026 example.