Gig driver self-employment and quarterly tax estimator
Enter your yearly payout, miles and other expenses to estimate self-employment tax and what to set aside each quarter. Federal only.
Federal estimate only, using 2026 figures. Ignores state tax, credits and the standard deduction. Not tax advice.
How it works
Net profit is payout minus the mileage deduction and other expenses. Self-employment tax is 12.4% Social Security (up to $184,500) plus 2.9% Medicare, applied to 92.35% of net profit. If you enter an income tax rate, it is applied to net profit less half of the self-employment tax.
Example: $30,000 of payouts over 20,000 miles leaves $15,500 of net profit and about $2,190 of self-employment tax, or about $548 per quarter before income tax.
Frequently asked questions
Do gig drivers pay quarterly taxes?
Usually yes. Platforms do not withhold tax from independent contractors, so the IRS expects estimated payments if you will owe $1,000 or more for the year.
What is self-employment tax?
It is the Social Security and Medicare tax that employers normally split with employees. Self-employed people pay both halves, for a total of 15.3% on most of their net profit.
Why is there an income tax rate box?
Income tax depends on your filing status, other income and deductions, which this tool cannot see. Enter your expected rate, or leave it blank to see self-employment tax only.
Is this a substitute for a tax professional?
No. It ignores state tax, credits, the standard deduction, the additional Medicare tax and other details. Treat the result as a planning number.
More free tools
- Profit calculator: Payout minus the IRS mileage deduction: what you actually kept.
- Hourly earnings: Gross and net dollars per hour online, after vehicle costs.
- Cost per mile: What each mile really costs you, and whether actual expenses beat the standard deduction.
- Weekly goal planner: How many hours you need to drive to hit a weekly income goal.
Related reading: taxes & expenses and earnings strategy.