Houston, Texas
Upwork taxes in Houston: what to set aside
Upwork doesn't hold back tax for freelancers. In Houston you owe self-employment tax, federal income tax, and Texas has no state income tax.
A Houston freelancer paid $4,000 a month should set aside about
$685/mo
Roughly 17% of payouts, assuming 15% goes to costs. Your own number depends on your miles and spending.
One tap with Google. No card needed.
Driving in Houston
No state income tax, and sprawling routes mean big mileage deductions.
Whether you work in Downtown Houston, the Heights, Katy, Sugar Land or Pasadena, the same Texas rules apply to your Upwork income.
Deductions Houston freelancers miss most
- Upwork service fees
- Home office share
- Laptop, software and subscriptions
- Coworking space
Quarterly dates for 2026
Federal: April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15, 2027. Texas has no personal income tax, so you only make federal estimated payments. Hate Ledger reminds you before each one and shows what's safe to spend after tax.
Sources
More
Upwork in other cities:
Planning estimate only, not tax advice. Uses 2026 federal brackets and the IRS 72.5¢ mileage rate.