Wages from employment (affects SS tax cap)
Total Federal Tax
$24,687.53
25.99% effective rate | Single
Net SE Income
$95,000.00
SE Tax (15.3%)
$13,423.07
Quarterly Payment
$6,171.88
Effective Rate
25.99%
Self-employed individuals must pay estimated taxes quarterly. Each payment covers roughly 25% of your total annual tax liability.
| Quarter | Income Period | Due Date | Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Jan 1 - Mar 31 | April 15, 2025 | $6,171.88 |
| Q2 | Apr 1 - May 31 | June 16, 2025 | $6,171.88 |
| Q3 | Jun 1 - Aug 31 | September 15, 2025 | $6,171.88 |
| Q4 | Sep 1 - Dec 31 | January 15, 2026 | $6,171.88 |
| Annual Total | $24,687.53 | ||
Penalty Warning
The IRS may charge an underpayment penalty if you do not pay at least 90% of your current year tax or 100% of your prior year tax (110% if prior year AGI exceeded $150,000) through estimated payments and withholding.
Comparing your SE income of $95,000 to the same amount earned as a W-2 employee (not including employer FICA).
Self-Employed
Net SE Income
$95,000.00
SE Tax (Both Halves)
-$13,423.07
Income Tax
-$11,264.46
Total Tax
$24,687.53
Take-Home
$70,312.47
W-2 Employee
Gross Salary
$95,000.00
Employee FICA (7.65%)
-$7,267.50
Income Tax
-$12,741.00
Total Tax (Employee Share)
$20,008.50
Take-Home
$74,991.50
Key Differences
Extra SE Tax Cost
$4,679.03
Employer FICA (Hidden Cost)
$7,267.50
True Total FICA (Both)
$14,535.00
As a self-employed individual, you pay both the employer and employee portions of FICA (15.3% total vs. 7.65% for a W-2 employee). However, you can deduct the employer-equivalent portion (half of SE tax) from your AGI, which partially offsets the additional cost.