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2026 brackets · IRS-published

Tax set-aside calculator (2026).

In 30 seconds: the percentage of your side-hustle profit to stash for federal income tax, self-employment tax, and state. Plus the quarterly payment schedule.

Your situation

$
$
Set aside
28%
of every dollar of net profit.
Self-employment tax$2,826
Federal income tax (on hustle)$2,640
State income tax (est.)$1,860
Total annual tax on hustle$7,326
Per quarter (set aside)$1,832
After-tax monthly take-home$1,056

2026 quarterly payment schedule

QuarterIncome periodPay byAmount (est.)

Pay online at IRS Direct Pay (free) or via EFTPS. State payments through your state's Department of Revenue.

How this works. Self-employment tax is 15.3% on 92.35% of net profit (Social Security 12.4% + Medicare 2.9%, capped at the 2026 SSA wage base of $176,100). Federal income tax is computed at your marginal rate, with side-hustle profit stacked on top of W-2 income, using the 2026 IRS brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32). State tax is a single-rate approximation — actual brackets vary. Half the SE tax is deductible above-the-line for income-tax purposes — this calculator includes that adjustment.

What this calculator can't see

  • Above-the-line deductions: SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k) contributions, HSA, half-of-SE-tax (the last one is included).
  • Itemized vs standard: we use the 2026 standard deduction (~$15,000 single / ~$30,000 joint).
  • QBI deduction: 20% pass-through deduction may apply — significant under-the-hood reduction we don't model here. Worth a CPA conversation if profit is $30k+.
  • S-corp election: see our 2026 tax guide for when to elect.
  • Local taxes: NYC, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and others have additional local income tax not included.
Now

Open a separate "tax" savings account.

Every payout from your side hustle, move the calculated percentage there the same day. Don't touch it. Quarterly, transfer it to the IRS.

Read the 2026 tax guide →