Taxes & freelancing
Set aside the right amount, compare W-2 and 1099 pay, and see which deductions apply.
Self-employment tax, quarterly estimates, W-2 versus 1099 pay and equipment deductions all follow published IRS rules, but the interaction between them is where people lose money. These tools put the rules next to your own numbers so you can plan a safe amount to set aside and see which choices change your bill.
Calculators
Freelance Tax Desk
1099 and self-employment tax planner for US freelancers.Self-employed people owe self-employment tax on top of income tax and pay in quarters, which catches many first-year freelancers off guard. We made this to estimate what to set aside from each invoice.
ShiftPay Tax Desk
Your 2026 overtime & tips tax deduction.New deductions for tips and overtime depend on only one thing you control: your records. We built this tool to estimate the possible tax effect and to show what to keep during the year.
WriteOff Desk
Section 179 & bonus depreciation savings.Equipment deductions are time-sensitive and the rules around limits and placed-in-service dates are easy to misread. This tool estimates the tax saving from a purchase and reminds you of the dates that matter.
Related guides
Quarterly Estimated Tax Checklist for Freelancers
Freelance Tax DeskA practical checklist to track income, set money aside and avoid underpayment surprises when you are self-employed.
Section 179 vs Bonus Depreciation: What Is the Difference?
WriteOff DeskBoth let a business deduct equipment costs faster. How they differ in limits, flexibility and what qualifies.
Self-Employment Tax Explained: What 15.3% Really Covers
Freelance Tax DeskSelf-employment tax is Social Security and Medicare for people without an employer. Here is how it is calculated and why it differs from income tax.
Why Your Overtime Paycheck Looks Smaller Than Expected
ShiftPay Tax DeskOvertime is not taxed at a higher rate, but withholding can make it feel that way. How to read your paycheck and plan.
How the New Overtime Deduction Works (With an Example)
ShiftPay Tax DeskOnly the half-time premium counts, up to $12,500. A worker with 250 overtime hours at $26 saves about $700.
Section 179 Year-End Deadline: Buy by Dec 31 or Wait?
WriteOff DeskThe asset must be placed in service by December 31, not just ordered. What that means for a December purchase.
The Q4 Estimated Tax Payment Is Due January 15: How to Size It
Freelance Tax DeskThe fourth-quarter payment falls in January, not December. How to estimate it from what you earned so far.
Track Your Tips and Overtime Now: What to Keep for Your 2026 Return
ShiftPay Tax DeskThe new deductions depend on records. A simple monthly log of tips and overtime premium pay, with an example.
How Much Should a 1099 Freelancer Set Aside for Taxes in 2026?
Freelance Tax DeskThe 25–35% rule of thumb, why it varies, and three worked examples so you never get surprised in April.
Quarterly Estimated Taxes for Freelancers: Dates, Amounts and Penalties
Freelance Tax DeskWho must pay estimated taxes, the 2026–2027 due dates, the safe-harbor rule that prevents penalties, and how to pay online in five minutes.