W-2 vs 1099 take-home, 2026.
Instant. IRS brackets and the $184,500 Social Security wage base. Not tax advice.
W-2 (unlocked)
1099 / self-employed
What that means
Sources: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (2026 brackets, standard deduction $16,100 single / $32,200 MFJ / $24,150 HOH). SSA 2026 wage base $184,500. SE tax 15.3% on 92.35% of net (IRS). Additional Medicare 0.9% over $200,000 single / $250,000 MFJ. QBI shown as a simple 20% of QBI with no wage/phaseout test. State tax is omitted. Estimates only.
Pay $5 to unlock the 1099 side, the gap, and quarterly SE estimates.