Freelancer Tax Savings: How Much to Set Aside for Taxes
The formula for calculating your tax set-aside percentage, plus strategies to lower your tax bill.
As a freelancer, taxes are your responsibility. No employer withholds them for you. Get it wrong, and April 15th becomes a nightmare. Here's exactly how much to set aside and how to avoid underpayment penalties.
The Self-Employment Tax Shock
Many new freelancers are shocked by their first tax bill because they don't account for self-employment tax. As an employee, your employer pays half of your Social Security and Medicare taxes. As a freelancer, you pay both halves:
Self-Employment Tax (2025):
Social Security: 12.4% on first $176,100 of net earnings
Medicare: 2.9% on all net earnings (no cap)
Additional Medicare: 0.9% on earnings over $200,000 (single)
Total SE Tax: 15.3% on most freelance income
This is in addition to your regular income tax. That's why "set aside 30%" is common advice - it covers both.
Quick Tax Set-Aside Percentages by Income
Use this table as a starting point. These percentages account for both income tax AND self-employment tax:
| Net Self-Employment Income | Set Aside % | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under $15,000 | 20-22% | Mostly SE tax, minimal income tax |
| $15,000 - $45,000 | 25-27% | 10-12% income tax bracket + SE |
| $45,000 - $100,000 | 28-32% | 22% income tax bracket + SE |
| $100,000 - $200,000 | 32-37% | 24-32% income tax bracket + SE |
| Over $200,000 | 38-42% | Higher brackets + additional Medicare |
State Taxes Add More:
These percentages assume no state income tax. If you live in California, New York, or other high-tax states, add 5-10% to these numbers.
The Exact Formula
Want to calculate your specific tax burden? Here's the breakdown:
Step-by-Step Calculation:
1. Calculate Net Self-Employment Income
Gross income - Business expenses = Net income
2. Calculate Self-Employment Tax
Net income x 92.35% x 15.3% = SE Tax
(The 92.35% is because you deduct half of SE tax from income)
3. Calculate Taxable Income
Net income - (SE Tax / 2) - QBI Deduction* - Standard Deduction = Taxable Income
*QBI = 20% Qualified Business Income deduction for pass-through income
4. Apply Tax Brackets to Taxable Income
Use 2025 federal tax brackets to calculate income tax
5. Total Tax = Income Tax + SE Tax
Real Example: $75,000 Freelancer
Let's say you're a single freelance web developer earning $75,000 net profit:
So a $75,000 freelancer should set aside about 25-27% (slightly more to account for state taxes and be safe).
Quarterly Estimated Taxes
The IRS doesn't want to wait until April for your money. If you expect to owe $1,000+ in taxes, you must make quarterly estimated tax payments:
| Quarter | Income Period | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | January 1 - March 31 | April 15 |
| Q2 | April 1 - May 31 | June 15 |
| Q3 | June 1 - August 31 | September 15 |
| Q4 | September 1 - December 31 | January 15 (next year) |
Safe Harbor Rule:
To avoid underpayment penalties, pay at least 100% of last year's tax liability (110% if income over $150,000) or 90% of this year's liability, whichever is smaller.
Strategies to Reduce Your Tax Bill
1. Track Every Business Expense
Common deductions freelancers miss:
- • Home office (simplified: $5/sq ft up to 300 sq ft)
- • Internet and phone (business %)
- • Software subscriptions
- • Professional development
- • Business travel and meals (50%)
- • Health insurance premiums (100%)
- • Equipment and computers
- • Professional services (accountant, lawyer)
2. Contribute to Retirement Accounts
Reduce taxable income while saving for the future:
- SEP-IRA: Contribute up to 25% of net earnings (max $69,000 in 2025)
- Solo 401(k): Up to $23,500 employee + 25% employer contribution
- Traditional IRA: Up to $7,000 ($8,000 if 50+)
3. Consider S-Corp Election
If you earn $80,000+, forming an S-Corp can save thousands in SE tax. You pay yourself a "reasonable salary" (which has SE tax) and take the rest as distributions (no SE tax).
Consult a CPA - this has complexity and costs that may not be worth it under ~$80K.
4. Use the QBI Deduction
Most freelancers qualify for the 20% Qualified Business Income deduction. This alone can save thousands. It's automatic for most - no extra forms needed.
The Freelancer Tax Savings System
Here's a simple system to never be surprised by taxes:
- Open a separate tax savings account - This is only for taxes. Don't touch it.
- Transfer your percentage with every invoice - When you get paid $1,000, immediately move $300 (or your %) to the tax account.
- Pay quarterly estimates from this account - You'll always have the money ready.
- Review quarterly - Adjust your percentage if income changes significantly.
Calculate Your Tax Set-Aside
Our Freelancer Budget Calculator shows exactly how much to set aside for taxes based on your income.
Try the Freelancer CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
Do I really need to pay quarterly?
If you'll owe $1,000+ in taxes, yes. The penalty for underpayment is about 8% annually (as of 2025). It's not huge, but why pay extra?
What if my income varies a lot month to month?
Use the "annualized income installment method" - you can calculate quarterly payments based on actual income each quarter rather than estimated annual income. This prevents overpaying early in the year.
Should I hire an accountant?
If you earn over $50,000 from freelancing, probably yes. A good CPA will save you more than they cost through tax strategies you don't know about. At minimum, consult one during your first year.
What about state taxes?
Most states require quarterly estimated payments too. Check your state's requirements. States like CA, NY, NJ have high rates (10%+). States like TX, FL, WA have no state income tax.