The Best Freelancer Tax Calculator — Free Calculators That Show Their Work
A real freelancer tax calculator has to do three things that most generic tax tools skip: it has to handle self-employment tax (both halves of FICA), it has to apply the half-SE deduction before income tax, and it has to output a quarterly payment — not an annual bill. Reise's calculator does all three, shows the IRS formula for each step, and stays free forever. No account, no upsell, no advisor pitch.
What makes Reise different
- Shows its math step by step so you can audit every number.
- Always free, with no account wall between you and the estimate.
- Built for 1099 contractors who need practical planning, not vague averages.
Featured calculator
Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Calculate your exact self-employment tax using the IRS formula. Shows SE tax (SS + Medicare), the half-SE deduction, 2024 federal income tax brackets, effective rate, take-home pay, and quarterly estimated payment.
Simple comparison
| Feature | Reise | Generic Tax Tools |
|---|---|---|
| ShowMath on every calculation | ✗ | |
| Freelancer-specific (1099/SE tax) | ✗ | |
| Free forever, no upsell | ✗ | |
| IRS source citations in the math panel | ✗ | |
| Mobile-optimized, no account wall | ✗ |
FAQ
What makes a tax calculator 'freelancer-specific'?
Three things: it calculates self-employment tax (15.3% on 92.35% of net SE earnings), it applies the deductible half of SE tax as an adjustment to AGI, and it outputs a quarterly estimated payment. Generic calculators usually do none of these.
Is it free? What is the catch?
Free forever, no catch. There is no paywall, no email capture, no affiliate funnel on this calculator. Reise runs a hub of free tools — the revenue comes from optional Pro features on separate tools, not from this one.
Does it cover 2024 tax year rules?
Yes. The calculator uses the 2024 Social Security wage base ($168,600), 2024 federal brackets, and 2024 IRS guidance on SE tax and QBI. Every number is cited to its IRS source in the math panel.
What other freelancer tools does Reise have?
Quarterly estimated tax, W-2 vs 1099 comparison, true hourly rate, freelance rate setter, home-office deduction, mileage deduction, 1099-K threshold, and more. They all link together so one calculator's output feeds the next.
Ready to see the math?
Every formula. Every bracket. Every deduction. No signup, no upsell, no advisor pitch — just the numbers you need to plan your quarter.