Better Than QuickBooks Self-Employed — Free Calculators That Show Their Work
This page is for self-employed workers who want the quarterly number without paying for a bookkeeping subscription first. The frustration with QuickBooks Self-Employed is that it mixes tax estimation into a larger accounting workflow, when many freelancers just need a focused quarterly estimate they can understand immediately.
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
1099 Quarterly Tax
Calculate your estimated quarterly tax payments as a freelancer or 1099 contractor. Covers self-employment tax, federal income tax by bracket, state tax, and IRS safe harbor rules.
Simple comparison
| Feature | Reise | QuickBooks Self-Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Shows its math | ✗ | |
| Always free | ||
| Built for contractors | ✗ |
FAQ
Is Reise a bookkeeping replacement for QuickBooks Self-Employed?
No. Reise is not trying to replace accounting software. It is a focused planning tool for people who want a free quarterly estimate and want to understand where the number comes from.
Why would someone choose Reise before QuickBooks Self-Employed?
Because the immediate need is often tax clarity, not bookkeeping features. If you want to know your projected quarterly payment today, a dedicated estimator is faster and easier to audit.
What does ShowMath add to a quarterly tax estimate?
It lets you inspect net income, self-employment tax, deductions, and safe-harbor logic in sequence. That makes the estimate easier to trust and easier to explain to yourself, a spouse, or a CPA.