Wisconsin freelancers: estimating self-employment tax
How the 15.3% self-employment tax works for freelancers in Wisconsin, the 92.35% rule, the wage base and the deduction for half of it.
Key facts
| Place | Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Sales tax | State sales tax |
| Standard rate on file | 5% |
| Multiply net price by | 1.05 |
| Tax share of a gross price | 4.76% |
| Currency | USD |
15.3% on 92.35% of profit
Self-employment tax covers Social Security (12.4%) and Medicare (2.9%). It applies to 92.35% of net self-employment profit. Social Security stops at the annual wage base, which the calculator sets to $184,500 for 2026; Medicare has no cap.
Worked example
Here is the calculation with sample figures. Change any number in the Wisconsin Self-Employment Tax Calculator to run your own.
| Profit | $75,000.00 |
| Social Security wage base | $184,500.00 |
| Self-employment tax | $10,597.16 |
|---|---|
| Deduction | $5,298.58 |
Half is deductible
You can deduct half of your self-employment tax when calculating income tax. The calculator shows that figure.
Plus income tax
Self-employment tax comes on top of federal and any Wisconsin income tax, so set aside money from each payment and make quarterly estimated payments.
Quick reference at 5%
Common amounts in Wisconsin, worked both ways: adding tax to a net price, and extracting it from a price that already includes tax.
| Amount | Tax on net amount | Gross (net + tax) | Net if amount includes tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $0.50 | $10.50 | $9.52 |
| $50.00 | $2.50 | $52.50 | $47.62 |
| $100.00 | $5.00 | $105.00 | $95.24 |
| $250.00 | $12.50 | $262.50 | $238.10 |
| $500.00 | $25.00 | $525.00 | $476.19 |
| $1,000.00 | $50.00 | $1,050.00 | $952.38 |
| $5,000.00 | $250.00 | $5,250.00 | $4,761.90 |
How Wisconsin compares
Standard rates on file for other states. A difference of a few points matters most on high-value purchases and on cross-border sales.
| Place | Rate on file | Compared with 5% |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 5.3% | higher |
| Washington | 6.5% | higher |
| West Virginia | 6% | higher |
| Wyoming | 4% | lower |
Using the calculator step by step
- Open the Wisconsin Self-Employment Tax Calculator.
- Type your figures into the numbered lines. Results update as you type.
- Check the rate field. It starts at 5%; change it if a reduced rate, local surcharge or exemption applies to you.
- Read the result on the receipt panel, and use the formula shown under it if you need to explain the figure to a client or colleague.
Key terms
- Taxable income
- Income left after allowances and deductions, on which the tax rates are applied.
- Zero rate
- A rate of 0% on a taxable supply. Unlike an exemption, the seller can usually still reclaim tax on costs.
- Tax credit
- An amount subtracted directly from the tax bill, worth its full face value.
- Standard rate
- The rate that applies to most goods and services unless a specific reduced rate, zero rate or exemption applies.
- Effective rate
- Total tax divided by total income, the average rate you actually pay.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting quarterly estimated payments.
- Not deducting half of the self-employment tax.
Run your own numbers. The Wisconsin Self-Employment Tax Calculator updates as you type and shows the formula it uses.
Frequently asked questions
What is the self-employment tax rate?
15.3% on 92.35% of net earnings, with Social Security capped at the wage base.
Do Wisconsin freelancers pay state tax too?
Self-employment tax is federal; state income tax rules for Wisconsin apply separately.
This article is general information for planning, not tax advice. Rates and rules change; confirm with your tax authority or a qualified adviser.