Updated for 2025 tax year • All calculators free • No signup required
For US taxes in 2026, the key calculators cover federal tax brackets, paycheck withholding, and self-employment tax. Boring Math's US Tax Bracket Calculator shows exactly how progressive brackets apply to your income. If you're self-employed or freelancing, the Quarterly Tax Calculator estimates your estimated payments. For anyone switching from W2 employment to 1099 contracting, the W2 to 1099 Calculator shows how much more you need to charge. All calculators are free with no signup.
Shows your federal income tax breakdown by bracket with effective and marginal tax rates for the current tax year.
Best for: Anyone wanting to understand how US progressive tax brackets apply to their income.
Open calculator →Estimates net pay after federal tax, state tax, Social Security, and Medicare withholding.
Best for: W2 employees wanting to verify their paycheck deductions.
Open calculator →Calculates self-employment tax (Social Security + Medicare) on 1099 income including the deductible portion.
Best for: Freelancers and sole proprietors estimating their SE tax liability.
Open calculator →Estimates quarterly estimated tax payments for self-employed individuals to avoid underpayment penalties.
Best for: 1099 workers and business owners who need to pay taxes quarterly.
Open calculator →Calculates federal capital gains tax on investment profits with separate rates for short-term and long-term holdings.
Best for: Investors selling stocks, crypto, or property wanting to estimate their tax bill.
Open calculator →Converts a W2 salary to the equivalent 1099 rate accounting for self-employment tax, benefits, and paid time off.
Best for: Anyone comparing a salaried job offer against a contract or freelance rate.
Open calculator →Projects 401k balance at retirement based on contributions, employer match, and investment growth.
Best for: Employees optimising their 401k contributions and understanding long-term growth.
Open calculator →| Calculator | Best for | Free | No account needed | Updated 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Tax Bracket Calculator | Anyone wanting to understand how US progressive tax brackets apply to their income | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| US Paycheck Calculator | W2 employees wanting to verify their paycheck deductions | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| US Self-Employment Tax Calculator | Freelancers and sole proprietors estimating their SE tax liability | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| US Quarterly Tax Calculator | 1099 workers and business owners who need to pay taxes quarterly | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| US Capital Gains Tax Calculator | Investors selling stocks, crypto, or property wanting to estimate their tax bill | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| W2 to 1099 Calculator | Anyone comparing a salaried job offer against a contract or freelance rate | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 401k Calculator | Employees optimising their 401k contributions and understanding long-term growth | Yes | Yes | Yes |
For 2025, the federal income tax brackets for single filers are 10% (up to $11,925), 12% ($11,926 to $48,475), 22% ($48,476 to $103,350), 24% ($103,351 to $197,300), 32% ($197,301 to $250,525), 35% ($250,526 to $626,350), and 37% (above $626,350). These brackets are progressive, meaning only the income within each range is taxed at that rate, not your entire income.
Self-employment tax is 15.3% of your net self-employment income: 12.4% for Social Security (on income up to $176,100 in 2025) and 2.9% for Medicare (on all income, with an additional 0.9% on income above $200,000). The tax is calculated on 92.35% of your net earnings, and you can deduct half of the SE tax from your adjusted gross income.
Estimate your total annual tax liability (income tax plus self-employment tax), subtract any withholding from W2 jobs, and divide the remainder by four. Payments are due April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year. To avoid penalties, pay at least 90% of your current year tax or 100% of your prior year tax (110% if your AGI exceeds $150,000).
Short-term capital gains apply to assets held for one year or less and are taxed at your ordinary income tax rate (10% to 37%). Long-term capital gains apply to assets held for more than one year and are taxed at preferential rates of 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your taxable income. Holding investments for at least a year before selling can significantly reduce your tax bill.
A common guideline is to charge 25% to 40% more than the equivalent W2 salary. This covers the employer portion of FICA taxes (7.65%), health insurance, retirement contributions, paid time off, and other benefits that W2 employees receive. The W2 to 1099 Calculator on Boring Math breaks down the exact premium you need based on your specific situation.
At minimum, contribute enough to get your full employer match, which is free money. The 2025 employee contribution limit is $23,500 ($31,000 if you are 50 or older). Beyond the match, contributing more reduces your taxable income and grows tax-deferred. A common target is 15% of gross income including the employer match, though the right amount depends on your other savings and retirement timeline.
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