Freelancer tax set-aside calculator
How much should I set aside from each freelance payment?
Pick a percentage and move it to a separate savings account every time you get paid. This calculator shows that amount per payment, per month and per year. It does not work out your tax: what you owe depends on your income, deductions, state and household, so choose the percentage with a tax professional or the IRS Form 1040-ES worksheet. The IRS lists self-employment tax at 15.3% on top of income tax, which is why many freelancers save from every payment.
| Move to savings from each payment | $200.00 |
| Left to spend from each payment | $600.00 |
| Set aside per month | $1200.00 |
| Set aside per 3 months | $3600.00 |
| Set aside per year | $14400.00 |
This is a savings habit, not a tax calculation. The percentage is yours to choose; it does not estimate what you will owe. Runs in your browser; nothing is sent anywhere.
Last verified October 25, 2026 against IRS: Self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare taxes), IRS Form 1040-ES (2026), Estimated Tax for Individuals (PDF). Fee change tracker · How we verify
Why a fixed percentage works as a habit
- Income arrives unevenly. A percentage scales with each payment, so you never have to guess a monthly number.
- Moving money the day it lands keeps it out of your spending balance.
- Four times a year, compare the savings balance with what you actually need to pay, using the 2026 estimated tax dates, and adjust the percentage.
Questions
Is this a tax calculator?
No. It multiplies your payments by a percentage you choose. It does not estimate income tax or self-employment tax and is not tax advice.
What percentage should I use?
There is no single right number. It depends on your income, deductions, credits, state and filing status. A tax professional can help you pick one, or you can work through the worksheet in IRS Form 1040-ES.
Why save for self-employment tax?
The IRS says self-employment tax is 15.3% (Social Security and Medicare) and applies if your net self-employment earnings are $400 or more. It is in addition to income tax and isn't withheld from client payments.
When is the money due?
For calendar-year individuals, 2026 estimated payments are due April 15, June 15 and September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027, per IRS Form 1040-ES. See the estimated tax dates page for details.
Is my data saved?
No. The calculator runs in your browser and nothing you type is sent anywhere.
General information, not tax, legal or accounting advice. Rates change: check the linked official source before you rely on a number. Not yet reviewed by a CPA or EA.
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