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The Daily Insight

What is the total self-employment tax?

Author

John Thompson

Published Apr 09, 2026

15.3%
The total self-employment tax is 15.3% of your net earnings and consists of two parts. The first part is Social Security at 12.4%. The law sets a maximum amount of net earnings that is subject to the Social Security tax.

Is self-employment tax 30%?

The self-employment tax rate is 15.3%. The rate is made up of 2.9% for Medicare or hospital insurance and 12.4% for social security or survivors, old-age, and disability insurance. That is why we recommend that you place 30% of the money each time you are paid into a short-term savings account.

What is the 2019 self-employment tax rate?

The self-employment tax rate is 15.3%. That rate is the sum of a 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare. Self-employment tax applies to net earnings — what many call profit.

What kind of tax do you pay on self employment?

The self-employment tax is comprised of two taxes: the Social Security tax and the Medicare tax. As of the tax year 2021, the Social Security tax rate is 15.3 percent–that’s 12.4 percent for Social Security and 2.9 percent for Medicare. The Medicare tax applies to all of your self-employment income, no matter how much you make.

When is self employment exempt from Social Security?

So, any self-employment income in excess of the contribution and benefit base is exempt from the Social Security portion of the self-employment tax. To calculate your self-employment tax when your earnings exceed the contribution and benefit base, first calculate your self-employment income subject to SE tax by multiplying by 0.9235.

How do I report self employment income on my tax return?

You report your self-employment income on your regular income tax return, but you have to file a few additional forms. First, use Schedule C to calculate your net self-employment income. Then, file Schedule SE as a self-employment tax calculator to figure the self-employment taxes you owe.

How to calculate self employment tax for 2020?

Add the two together to calculate your self-employment tax. For example, let’s say you had a $100,000 salaried job and your net self-employment income was $45,000 in 2020 when the contribution and benefit base is $137,700. Multiply $45,000 by 0.9235 to get $41,557.50.