Tennessee Self-Employment Tax Calculator 2026
Estimate self-employment tax, federal and state income tax and quarterly payments on LLC, sole proprietor and 1099 income in Tennessee.
Total tax on your profit
$22,365
Pay about $5,591 each quarter in estimated tax · you keep $77,635
Self-employment tax
$14,130
Effective rate
22.4%
QBI deduction
$15,367
- Kept 77.6%
- SE tax 14.1%
- Federal 8.2%
| Quarter | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Net business profit | $25,000.00 | $100,000 |
| Self-employment tax (15.3%) | −$3,532.39 | −$14,130 |
| Federal income tax | −$2,058.75 | −$8,235 |
| Left after tax | $19,408.86 | $77,635 |
Quick answer: With $100,000 of net profit in Tennessee, a single business owner pays about $22,365 in total tax for 2026 (22.4%), including $14,130 of self-employment tax. Budget about $5,591 for each quarterly estimated payment.
Tennessee self-employment tax by profit (2026)
| Net profit | SE tax | Federal tax | State tax | Total tax | Effective rate | Per quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $3,532 | $571 | $0 | $4,103 | 16.4% | $1,026 |
| $50,000 | $7,065 | $2,667 | $0 | $9,732 | 19.5% | $2,433 |
| $75,000 | $10,597 | $4,898 | $0 | $15,495 | 20.7% | $3,874 |
| $100,000 | $14,130 | $8,235 | $0 | $22,365 | 22.4% | $5,591 |
| $150,000 | $21,194 | $16,413 | $0 | $37,608 | 25.1% | $9,402 |
| $200,000 | $28,234 | $25,196 | $0 | $53,431 | 26.7% | $13,358 |
| $300,000 | $31,606 | $60,643 | $0 | $92,249 | 30.7% | $23,062 |
| $500,000 | $38,625 | $131,787 | $0 | $170,412 | 34.1% | $42,603 |
Single filer, standard deduction, 20% QBI deduction (phased out for service businesses above $201,750), no other income.
How self-employment income is taxed
As a sole proprietor, independent contractor or single-member LLC owner, you pay three taxes on your net profit. Self-employment tax of 15.3% covers Social Security and Medicare, both the employee and employer halves. Federal income tax applies to profit after half of your SE tax, the standard deduction and the 20% qualified business income (QBI) deduction. Tennessee doesn't tax personal income, so there is no state income tax on your profit.
Nobody withholds these taxes for you, so the IRS expect quarterly estimated payments if you'll owe $1,000 or more for the year.
Tennessee business taxes and fees beyond income tax
LLC fees: forming an LLC in Tennessee costs $300. Ongoing: $300 annual report minimum ($50 per member above six, max $3,000).
Other business taxes: Franchise tax of 0.25% of net worth ($100 minimum) plus 6.5% excise tax, both applying to LLCs; business tax on gross receipts.
Read the full Tennessee business tax guide or compare LLC fees in every state.
Tennessee vs. nearby states: tax on $100,000 of profit
| State | State income tax | Total tax | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | None | $22,365 | 22.4% |
| North Carolina | $3,199 | $25,564 | 25.6% |
| Alabama | $3,970 | $26,335 | 26.3% |
| Georgia | $4,039 | $26,403 | 26.4% |
| Virginia | $4,530 | $26,894 | 26.9% |
| Kentucky | $4,927 | $27,291 | 27.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much tax do I pay on $100,000 of self-employment income in Tennessee?
A single sole proprietor or single-member LLC owner with $100,000 of profit in Tennessee owes about $22,365 in 2026: $14,130 of self-employment tax, $8,235 of federal income tax. That's 22.4% of profit, or about $5,591 a quarter in estimated payments.
How much should I set aside for taxes as a self-employed person in Tennessee?
At $100,000 of profit, set aside about 25% of every payment you receive. At lower profits the share is smaller and at higher profits it's larger; use the table on this page to find your level.
What is the self-employment tax rate in Tennessee?
Self-employment tax is federal, so it's the same in every state: 15.3% on 92.35% of your net profit, made up of 12.4% Social Security on the first $184,500 and 2.9% Medicare on everything. An extra 0.9% Medicare tax applies above $200,000 ($250,000 for married couples). You can deduct half of it from your income.
Does Tennessee tax LLC income?
Tennessee has no personal income tax, so a single-member LLC's profit is only taxed federally. Watch for other state business taxes: Franchise tax of 0.25% of net worth ($100 minimum) plus 6.5% excise tax, both applying to LLCs; business tax on gross receipts.
When are quarterly estimated taxes due?
For 2026, federal estimated payments are due April 15, June 15 and September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027. Most states with an income tax use the same dates. Paying at least 100% of last year's tax (110% if your income was over $150,000) avoids an underpayment penalty.
Would an S corporation lower my self-employment tax?
Possibly, once profit is high enough. An S corporation owner pays payroll tax only on a reasonable salary, not on the rest of the profit. Above roughly $60,000 to $80,000 of profit, the saving often covers the extra payroll and filing costs. Our guides to LLC and corporation taxes walk through the trade-offs.
Tennessee Paycheck Calculator →
Take-home pay per paycheck after federal, state and payroll taxes.
Tennessee Tax Brackets →
2026 income tax brackets, standard deductions and exemptions for single and married filers.
Tennessee business tax guide →
Corporate tax, sales tax, LLC fees and more.
Self-employment tax calculators for other states
Sources
- https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-25-32.pdf
- https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/cbb.html
- https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/state-income-tax-rates-2026/
- https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/self-employment-tax-social-security-and-medicare-taxes
- https://www.tn.gov/revenue/taxes/franchise---excise-tax.html
- https://sos.tn.gov/businesses
Estimates use 2026 federal and state rates and standard deductions, and assume no other income, itemized deductions or credits beyond those listed. Your employer's withholding may differ from your final tax bill. For informational purposes only; this is not tax advice.