Taxes

“I'm in the 22% bracket” — no, your real rate is something else.

Your effective rate is what you actually pay across all your income. Usually lower than your bracket, and a much better number for planning.

2026 IRS numbers
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Tax data last updated: July 2026. Sources & methodology

Your numbers

$

Total you invoiced or were paid this year.

$

Everything you can legitimately write off.

Most sole proprietors under the income threshold qualify.

Your effective tax rate, 2026
20.7%

On $75,500 of net income, you keep $59,890.

Total tax
$15,610
Self-employment tax
$10,668
Federal income tax
$4,942
Marginal rate (your top bracket)
12.0%
20.7%of net income goes to tax
  • Self-employment tax14%
  • Federal income tax7%
  • Take-home79%

Estimates only, assuming a single filer taking the standard deduction. State tax, credits, and other income aren't included. Your marginal rate is what the next dollar is taxed at — useful for deciding whether a deduction is worth chasing.

How this is calculated

We compute your full tax bill — self-employment tax plus federal income tax through the progressive brackets — then divide it by your net income. That percentage is your effective rate: the true slice of your earnings that goes to the IRS.

Your marginal rate is different: it's the tax on your next dollar. The distinction matters in opposite directions — the marginal rate tells you what a new deduction is worth, the effective rate tells you how much to set aside from every invoice.

Formula
Total tax ÷ net income = effective tax rate

Related calculators

Common questions

Because brackets are marginal. If you're “in the 22% bracket,” only the income above that bracket's floor is taxed at 22% — everything below it is taxed at 10% and 12%. The blended result is always lower than the top rate.
Your effective rate plus a cushion. If this tool says 21%, setting aside 25–30% of every invoice into a separate account covers federal tax with margin for a good year. Add your state rate on top if your state has income tax.
No — state rules differ too much for one number. Texas and Florida have no state income tax; California can push you past 10%. Check your state's DOR or ask a CPA for your set-aside.
Self-employment tax. An employee pays 7.65% into Social Security and Medicare and never sees the employer's matching half. You pay both halves — 15.3% — before income tax even starts.