Best 6 Self Employment Tax Calculators in 2026: Compare Tax Tools

Introduction

TaxFlow: 1099 Tax Calculator is the strongest overall pick for people looking for a self employment tax calculator. It pairs tax estimates with income and deduction tracking, plus quarterly deadlines. This roundup compares six iOS and Android apps for freelancers, contractors, and gig workers who want to estimate taxes or set money aside.

Quick comparison

TaxFlow and Self Employed offer broader tax tracking for freelancers. GigTax and DayHatch focus more on gig-work records, while Fern and Disco estimate tax set-asides based on deposits. Keep in mind that app estimates are planning tools, not tax advice.

1. TaxFlow: 1099 Tax Calculator

Best for: iPhone users who want tax estimates alongside income and deduction tracking.

TaxFlow: 1099 Tax Calculator estimates self-employment and federal income taxes, and lets users track income and deductions. Its listing says it supports U.S. tax years 2024–2026 and includes quarterly estimated-tax deadlines.

Having tax-year coverage and deadline information in one place is the app’s main draw. It may suit freelancers who want an estimate and a reminder of when payments are due without switching between apps.

2. GigTax: 1099 Tax Estimator

Best for: Android users who want a free 1099 tax estimator with gig-work tracking.

GigTax: 1099 Tax Estimator estimates 1099 and self-employment taxes, with tools for tracking mileage, tips, and deductions. It also lists quarterly tax deadlines, so gig workers can keep key records and dates together.

Mileage and tips are useful details to record as you work, making gig-income tracking the app’s main appeal. The Google Play listing describes GigTax as free and says it was updated in August 2026.

3. Self Employed: Income & Tax

Best for: iPhone contractors who want to track several kinds of income and work expenses.

Self Employed: Income & Tax covers income, expenses, tips, mileage, and contractor payments. Its listing also describes automatic quarterly estimates for federal, state, and self-employment taxes.

The range of tracking categories is a plus for contractors whose records go beyond client payments. It may also suit people who want estimates that account for several parts of their tax picture.

4. Fern: Self-Employed Taxes

Best for: iPhone users who want to track deposits and plan tax set-asides.

Fern: Self-Employed Taxes helps self-employed users track deposits and set money aside for taxes. According to its official site, its estimates account for self-employment tax, federal brackets, state, and filing status.

Estimates tailored to state and filing status are Fern’s main distinction, since those details can affect how much you may want to reserve. The site says Fern is available on iPhone, with no Android version yet.

5. DayHatch: mileage, take-home and taxes for gig drivers

Best for: Android gig drivers who want to review earnings and mileage after shifts.

DayHatch: mileage, take-home and taxes for gig drivers tracks gig-driver mileage and earnings, then estimates self-employment, income, and state taxes after shifts. The app focuses on showing drivers what they may have left after estimated taxes.

Its after-shift view of take-home pay and taxes sets it apart. DayHatch may work well for drivers who want to check their earnings and mileage regularly instead of using a broader contractor bookkeeping tool. Its official site lists Google Play availability.

6. Disco — 1099 income. W2 simplicity.

Best for: iPhone users who want a straightforward tax set-aside estimate from income.

Disco — 1099 income. W2 simplicity. tracks deposits and estimates how much to set aside based on state and income bracket. The app keeps things focused on turning incoming payments into a tax reserve estimate.

That deposit-based estimate is useful for people who want a simple planning number as money comes in. Disco’s official site says it is available on iPhone.

How we picked these apps

We focused on apps with a clear self-employment tax estimate or tax set-aside feature, rather than general budgeting tools. We also looked at how each app handles everyday records, including income, expenses, mileage, deductions, tips, and quarterly deadlines.

The roundup covers both iOS and Android, with options for general freelancer tracking as well as tools aimed at gig drivers. The details reflect the supplied app listings and official-site descriptions. They do not come from hands-on tests of calculation accuracy, and they are not an endorsement of any app’s tax advice.

Frequently asked questions

What does a self-employment tax calculator estimate?

It can give you a planning estimate of taxes related to self-employment income, but that number may differ from your final tax bill. Deductions, other income, and your filing situation can all affect what you owe.

Are income tax and self-employment tax the same?

No. Federal income tax, self-employment tax, and state tax are separate parts of a tax estimate. Apps may cover some or all of them, so check what’s included.

What records should freelancers keep?

Income, deductible expenses, mileage, and tips can all matter when you organize tax records. Freelancers may also need to track quarterly payment deadlines. Before relying on an estimate, check that the app covers your tax year, state, and filing situation.

The verdict

TaxFlow is the strongest overall pick for its mix of self-employment and federal tax estimates, income and deduction tracking, and quarterly deadlines. GigTax is a runner-up for Android users who want gig-income and mileage records alongside estimates. Self Employed is another good fit for iPhone contractors who want broad tracking and quarterly estimates. Treat every app result as an estimate, not tax advice.