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Same gross, two hats: employee W-2 (employee FICA) versus 1099 contractor (self-employment tax on 92.35% of profit).
Estimates only — not tax, payroll, or financial advice. This is a simplified educational calculator (2026-ish federal brackets + standard deduction, employee FICA, optional flat state tax). It is not IRS Publication 15-T withholding, a substitute for your W-4, or a tax return. Real paystubs vary with credits, benefits, local taxes, additional Medicare tax, and your employer’s payroll system. Confirm numbers with a qualified tax or payroll professional.
Contractor vs W-2 is a free online calculator on PaystubKit, the paycheck tools hub from One More Turn Ventures LLC (OMTV). Same gross, two hats: employee W-2 (employee FICA) versus 1099 contractor (self-employment tax on 92.35% of profit).
What it does: W-2 uses the shared paycheck engine (employee 6.2% + 1.45%). 1099 uses self-employment tax at 12.4% + 2.9% on 92.35% of profit, with one-half SE tax deductible in the federal sketch, plus optional expense percent.
When to use it: Use it when an offer is “W-2 at $X vs 1099 at $X” and you want a planning delta — not a business-entity or quarterly-estimate plan.
Part of the PaystubKit tools collection. Calculations run locally in your browser.
Employees pay 7.65% FICA; employers pay a match. Contractors pay both halves as self-employment tax (on 92.35% of net profit), though half of SE tax is deductible in the federal income-tax sketch.
It reduces 1099 profit before SE tax and income tax (capped at 90% here). W-2 wages are not reduced. Real deductions need records and may be disallowed.
Not on 1099-NEC self-employment income. They pay SE tax instead (Schedule SE). This page does not model mixed W-2 + 1099 years.
No. People sometimes ask for a 20–30% premium to cover SE tax, benefits, and idle time. This tool shows a tax-only sketch, not benefits or unpaid time off.
No. Estimates only — not tax, payroll, or financial advice. Entity choice and quarterly estimates need a qualified professional.