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Both calculators run independently β change the inputs on either side to compare results.
Payroll Tax Calculator
Calculates the combined US federal payroll tax (Social Security plus Medicare, jointly known as FICA) owed on a given block of wages, using the specified employee-side rates. Useful for paycheck planning, comparing self-employment to W-2 take-home, and verifying that an employer has withheld the correct FICA amount.
Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Calculate self-employment tax β the Social Security and Medicare contributions that self-employed people pay on net business earnings, equivalent to both the employee and employer share of FICA combined. Use it to estimate quarterly tax payments and plan for the SE tax liability that's often the biggest tax surprise for new freelancers and business owners.
Key differences
| Payroll Tax Calculator | Self-Employment Tax Calculator | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Taxes | Taxes |
| Inputs required | 3 | 1 |
| Result | Total Payroll Tax ($) | Self-Employment Tax ($) |
| What it does | Calculates the combined US federal payroll tax (Social Security plus Medicare, jointly known as FICA) owed on a given block of wages, using the specified employee-side rates. Useful for paycheck planning, comparing self-employment to W-2 take-home, and verifying that an employer has withheld the correct FICA amount. | Calculate self-employment tax β the Social Security and Medicare contributions that self-employed people pay on net business earnings, equivalent to both the employee and employer share of FICA combined. Use it to estimate quarterly tax payments and plan for the SE tax liability that's often the biggest tax surprise for new freelancers and business owners. |