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Self employment tax calculator

For owner operators. See the tax and the quarterly amount.

Updated October 8, 2026Fact checked

Your profit

1099, app or business pay, after business costs.

Starts at the BLS median pay for heavy and tractor trailer truck drivers, 2025. Change it to your profit.
Due April 15, June 15, Sept. 15 and Jan. 15.

What you paid

Leave 0 if none
Self employment tax
$8,286
Net earnings (92.35%)$54,154
Social Security (12.4%)$6,715
Medicare (2.9%)$1,570
Minus estimated tax paid$0

About $2,071 a payment for the 4 payments left, before income tax.

Estimate only, 2025 rules. Income tax is extra. Your IRS notice is the real number.

How this works

It takes 92.35% of your profit, the way Schedule SE does. Then it adds 12.4% for Social Security, up to $176,100 for 2025, and 2.9% for Medicare. If that 92.35% is under $400, there is no self employment tax.

You owe tax on what the business earns. If you have workers, the business also owes payroll tax on their pay.

A truck with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more owes the heavy highway use tax on Form 2290.

Common questions

What is self employment tax?

It is Social Security and Medicare tax for people who work for themselves. The rate is 15.3%: 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare.

When are estimated taxes due?

April 15, June 15, Sept. 15 and Jan. 15 of the next year. You generally must pay if you expect to owe $1,000 or more.

What if I already owe the IRS?

A tax pro can look at payment plans, penalty relief and other options. Results depend on your situation. Not every case qualifies.

Back to tax help for owner operators

Run the numbers with our free tax tools, like the penalty and payment plan math.

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