Freelance Tax Calculator

A simple way to estimate freelance take-home pay

Freelance income is taxed differently from a salary in most countries: on top of ordinary income tax, self-employed workers typically owe an additional self-employment or social contributions tax that an employer would otherwise split with them. Because rates and rules vary enormously by country — and often by income bracket within a country — this calculator uses a simplified flat-rate model rather than trying to replicate a specific tax code.

It starts by subtracting your deductible business expenses from gross income to get a taxable base, then applies a combined rate (self-employment/social rate plus income tax rate) that you set based on your own situation or a quick search of your country's typical rates. The result is a rough estimate of net income — useful for pricing decisions and planning, not for filing.

Why this is deliberately simplified

Real tax systems use progressive brackets, deductions, credits, and thresholds that a single flat rate can't capture precisely. This tool is meant to answer a quick, practical question — "if I earn X, roughly how much will I actually keep?" — so you can make pricing and saving decisions during the year, not to replace a tax return. Set aside money for taxes based on a conservative estimate, and true it up with an accountant.

If you're setting a rate to make sure you hit a specific take-home number, start from the Day Rate Calculator or Hourly Rate Calculator and increase the desired income until the after-tax figure here matches your target.