California self-employment tax calculator
Estimate what self-employment costs you in California: 15.3% SE tax on 92.35% of profit, 2026 federal income tax, the QBI deduction, and California's 9.3% state income tax. The state rate is pre-filled — adjust it if your bracket differs.
Your numbers
What you'll owe
Estimated total tax
$17,320
≈ 28.9% of profit · set aside 29% of every deposit
Each quarterly payment
$4,330
Due ~Apr 15, Jun 15, Sep 15, Jan 15
- Net business profit
- $60,000
- Self-employment tax (15.3%)
- $8,478
- QBI deduction
- − $11,152
- Taxable income
- $29,209
- Federal income tax
- $3,262
- California tax (estimate)
- $5,580
Hate Ledger reserves this percentage from every deposit as it lands, so the quarterly bill is already funded.
Self-employment tax in California
California is graduated to 13.3%; most self-employed filers land in the 8-9.3% brackets.
California uses graduated brackets topping out near 9.3%, layered on top of federal income tax and the 15.3% self-employment tax. The federal half never changes: 15.3% on 92.35% of net profit, then income tax on profit less half that SE tax, the standard deduction and up to 20% qualified business income.
The failure mode is cash, not arithmetic. Money lands, it gets spent, and the quarterly due date becomes a crisis. Hate Ledger moves the reserve out of reach the day each deposit clears, so the California and federal bills are funded before you see the money.
Frequently asked questions
How much self-employment tax do you pay in California?
Self-employment tax is federal: 15.3% on 92.35% of net profit, the same in California as everywhere else. California uses graduated brackets topping out near 9.3%, layered on top of federal income tax and the 15.3% self-employment tax.
What is the total tax rate for self-employed people in California?
Most California self-employed filers land between 27% and 38% of net profit once federal income tax, the 15.3% SE tax and the 9.3% state rate are combined.
Do I file quarterly estimates in California?
Yes — federal estimates when you expect to owe $1,000 or more, plus California state estimates on roughly the same April, June, September and January schedule.
Are there local taxes on self-employment income in California?
An $800 annual LLC franchise tax applies if you operate as an LLC.
Can an S-corp lower self-employment tax in California?
It can, once profit is high enough. Payroll tax then applies only to a reasonable salary rather than all profit. California state income tax still applies to the full amount, so the savings are federal.
Estimates only, using projected 2026 federal figures and state rates for planning. Not tax advice.
Run the same numbers for another state
State income tax is the biggest variable in the result. Pick your state for a pre-filled estimate.