Salary negotiation, freelance pricing, and the W-2 vs 1099 decision β the numbers that matter most when every dollar of compensation comes down to what you negotiate for yourself. Every result shows the exact formula behind it.
What should you actually charge per hour? Account for taxes, health insurance, retirement, and the hours you can't bill β get the real number.
Formula
Rate = (Income + Expenses) Γ· Billable Hours
Side-by-side comparison of a job offer vs freelance income after all taxes. Accounts for SE tax, FICA, benefits, 401k match, expenses, and retirement β the winner highlighted in emerald.
Same gross pay, wildly different take-home. See exactly how W-2 and 1099 offers compare after self-employment tax, FICA, and employer benefits β then get the break-even number that tells you exactly what to negotiate.
Formula
breakEven = 1099 gross that matches W-2 total value incl. benefits
Convert between hourly rate and annual salary β including overtime, PTO, and taxes
Calculate your exact take-home pay after taxes, benefits, and deductions
Your salary Γ· 40 hours isn't your real rate. Factor in taxes, commute, decompression, and work expenses to find what an hour of your life actually earns.
Have a W-2 job and 1099 side income? Find out exactly how much to add on W-4 line 4c to cover your 1099 tax without paying quarterly estimates. Shows total liability, withholding gap, safe harbor status, and recommended amount per paycheck.
Calculate your IRS mileage deduction for 2024 (67Β’/mile) or 2023 (65.5Β’/mile). Compares standard mileage vs actual expense method to find the larger deduction β with tax savings at your rate and IRS log reminders.
Calculate how long it takes to pay off IRS tax debt with interest and failure-to-pay penalties. See the true cost, compare extra payment scenarios, model a one-time lump sum, and learn about IRS Fresh Start program options.
Compare Section 179 expensing, bonus depreciation (60% in 2024), and MACRS for any business asset. See year-1 deduction, estimated tax savings, and a full multi-year MACRS schedule.
2024 income tax rates for all 50 states and DC, ranked by freelancer-friendliness. Filter no-income-tax states, sort by rate, and read contractor-specific notes for every jurisdiction.
Visual, educational tool showing exactly how 2024 federal tax brackets work. Stacked bar chart for each bracket, effective vs marginal rate, pre-tax deductions, and the bracket bump myth β busted with the math shown.
Formula
tax = Ξ£(dollars_in_each_bracket Γ bracket_rate)
Calculate your Form 1040 Line 17 health insurance deduction as a self-employed person. Covers health, dental, vision, and LTC premiums. Shows deduction cap at net SE income, federal and state tax savings, and effective monthly premium cost after the government subsidy.
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.
Calculate your quarterly IRS payments with QBI deduction (Section 199A), safe harbor, and all 4 due dates. Adds the 20% pass-through deduction that most freelancers forget to claim.
Is your side gig actually worth it? Enter hourly rate, hours per week, and expenses to see net income after SE tax, effective hourly rate, and whether you're beating the opportunity cost of those hours at your day job.
Stop guessing your rate. Work backwards from desired take-home to find your walk-away floor, target ask, and W-2 salary equivalent. Includes a ready-to-use negotiation script and rate schedule for hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly contracts.