Better Than NerdWallet's Calculator — Free Calculators That Show Their Work
NerdWallet's self-employed tax calculator is wrapped in product recommendations — tax software, credit cards, bank accounts. This page is for the freelancer who wants the math without the affiliate funnel. Reise just does the calculation: SE tax, federal brackets, deductions, take-home, and quarterly payment. No product pitches. No offers. No comparison tables trying to sell you something.
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 | NerdWallet |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Why does NerdWallet's calculator show product recommendations?
NerdWallet's business model is affiliate revenue from financial products. Their calculator is a hook for that funnel. Reise has no affiliate revenue model on this calculator — it is just the math.
Is the underlying SE tax calculation the same?
The IRS formula is the same everywhere (Net SE × 0.9235 × 15.3%). What differs is what each site does with the output. Reise shows you every step; NerdWallet shows you the number and sells you software.
What calculators does Reise have for freelancers?
Self-employment tax, quarterly estimated tax, W-2 vs 1099 comparison, true hourly rate, freelance rate setter, home-office deduction, mileage deduction, and several others — all free, all show the math.
Do I need to sign up?
No. Every tool runs client-side, no account required, nothing saved to a server.
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.