Consultant Tax Calculator (2026)
Consultants often earn enough that both the S-Corp election and the QBI phase-out come into play. This free tool estimates your 2026 federal income tax and self-employment tax, sizes your four quarterly payments, and flags the deductions consultants miss most.
Your business profit and how you file. No sign-up, no documents.
Federal + self-employment tax, your effective rate, and four payment amounts.
Add the four due dates to your calendar and pay directly at IRS.gov.
Your 2026 estimate
Answer a few questions — your numbers update live and never leave this page.
Federal estimate only. Add your state for a combined number.
Your 4 payments
$16,647 for the year- Q1 · Jan – Mar$4,162Due April 15, 2026
- Q2 · Apr – May$4,162Due June 15, 2026
- Q3 · Jun – Aug$4,162Due September 15, 2026
- Q4 · Sep – Dec$4,161Due January 15, 2027
You could save real money with an S-Corp
After ~$1,200–$2,500 in payroll and filing costs, that's about $1,556–$2,856 net — likely worth electing, as long as the salary stays reasonable.
Saved scenarios
Save your current numbers to compare scenarios side by side — sole prop vs S-Corp, a raise, a bigger retirement contribution. Stored only in this browser.
Never miss a tax deadline again
Your numbers have real money on the line
At your income, an S-Corp election, a retirement-plan choice, or one missed deduction can swing your bill by thousands. A flat-fee review catches it — no retainer, no sales pitch.
- ✓Whether an S-Corp actually nets out for you
- ✓Deductions you're leaving on the table
- ✓A retirement plan that cuts this year's tax
Recommended: Shashank Beri, CPA · independent, no obligation
What freelancers actually owe
How taxes work for consultants
Consulting income is self-employment income, paid on 1099s with no withholding. Your net profit owes federal income tax and self-employment tax, which you pay in four quarterly installments.
Self-employment tax is 15.3% on 92.35% of your net profit — the Social Security and Medicare an employer would normally split with you — and the calculator stacks it on top of your income tax automatically. You also deduct half of it against income tax.
Top tax write-offs for consultants
Common consultant write-offs: a home office, business travel and client meals (50% deductible), software and subscriptions, professional development and certifications, marketing and a website, a share of phone and internet, and any subcontractors you pay.
Lowering net profit is your most powerful lever: because profit is the base for both income tax and self-employment tax, every legitimate deduction saves you on both. Keep clean records and a separate business account.
Should a consultant elect an S-Corp?
Consulting profit usually clears the S-Corp break-even comfortably, so the election often saves meaningful self-employment tax — just mind the QBI catch below.
An S-Corp splits profit into a reasonable salary (still subject to FICA) and distributions (which skip the 15.3% self-employment tax). Running one costs roughly $1,200–$2,500 a year, so it pays off once the saving clears that — the comparison above shows your exact break-even.
Your 20% QBI deduction
Heads up: consultant work is a "specified service" business for QBI. Below $201,775 (single) / $403,500 (married filing jointly) of taxable income you get the full 20% deduction, but above those thresholds it phases out — so higher earners get less, or none.
The QBI deduction lets most self-employed people deduct 20% of business profit before income tax, on top of the $16,100 (single) / $32,200 (married filing jointly) standard deduction. The calculator applies it by default.
What this estimate covers
This is a 2026 planning estimate of federal income tax and self-employment tax for a sole proprietor or single-member LLC, with the standard deduction and a simplified 20% QBI deduction. It isn't tax advice.
It doesn't include state or local income tax (add your state in the calculator), tax credits, the net investment income tax, or the full QBI limitation for higher earners. For anything with real money on the line, confirm with a CPA.
Common questions
Yes — 15.3% on 92.35% of net consulting profit, plus federal income tax. An S-Corp can reduce the self-employment-tax portion on profit taken as distributions.
Read the guides
How much should I set aside for taxes as a freelancer?
The rule of thumb is 25–35% of net profit — here's how to find your exact number for 2026.
Read →Freelancer taxes1099 vs W-2 taxes: why freelancers pay more
Same pay, bigger tax bill. Why 1099 income costs more than a W-2 — and the deductions that close the gap.
Read →DeductionsSelf-employed tax deductions that actually cut your bill
Home office, health insurance, retirement, QBI, half your SE tax — the write-offs that actually lower your bill.
Read →