Two types: income tax (at your marginal bracket rate) and self-employment tax (15.3% on 92.35% of net earnings). SE tax covers Social Security and Medicare — the same taxes W-2 employees pay, but you pay both halves as a self-employed person.

A reliable rule of thumb: 25–30% of net income (after business expenses) for federal taxes. If you're in a high-tax state, add another 5–10%. Our estimator gives you a more precise number based on your actual income and filing status.

Yes, if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal taxes after withholding and credits. The four due dates are April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. Missing them results in an underpayment penalty.

SE tax covers Social Security (12.4%) and Medicare (2.9%) — 15.3% total on your net self-employment income. As a self-employed person, you pay both the employee and employer share. You can deduct half of SE tax from your gross income.

Any ordinary and necessary business expense: home office, equipment, software, internet, phone (business %), health insurance premiums, retirement contributions, mileage, travel, professional development, and more. Business expenses reduce your net profit — the number your taxes are calculated on.

If your business expenses exceeded your 1099 income (a net loss), you generally owe no income tax or SE tax on that income. In some cases, a Schedule C loss can offset other income on your return. Keep records of all expenses.

You're still required to report all income, even without a 1099. Payers only need to issue a 1099 if they paid you $600 or more — but any amount of income is taxable.

1099-NEC (Nonemployee Compensation) is for freelance and contractor payments — this is what most self-employed people receive. 1099-MISC covers other miscellaneous income like rent, prizes, and royalties. The IRS separated them starting in 2020.

Yes, if you use part of your home exclusively and regularly for business. You can use the simplified method ($5 per square foot, up to 300 sq ft) or the actual expense method (proportional percentage of home costs). The exclusive use requirement is strict — a guest bedroom that doubles as an office doesn't qualify.

The easiest way: IRS Direct Pay at irs.gov/payments — free, no registration, takes 5 minutes. For set-and-forget scheduling, enroll in EFTPS (eftps.gov) and schedule all four payments at the start of the year.

File your return on time regardless. The failure-to-file penalty is much larger than the failure-to-pay penalty. The IRS has installment payment plans available. Paying something is always better than paying nothing.

Yes, in most states with income taxes. State estimated tax rules, due dates, and rates vary by state. Check your state's Department of Revenue website for specifics.

1099 Tax FAQ