Estimate your self-employment tax in Arlington for 2026: the 15.3% SE tax, the deductible half, federal income tax, state income tax, and quarterly payments.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Arlington self-employed workers pay federal SE tax and federal income tax, plus Virginia state income tax (2% to 5.75%). Virginia has four income tax brackets with a top rate of 5.75% that kicks in at just $17,000. This means most Virginia residents pay at or near the top rate. The state does not tax Social Security benefits.
| Net Profit | SE Tax | Half-SE Deduction | Total Est. Tax | Per Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $4,239 | $2,119 | $6,060 | $1,515 |
| $50,000 | $7,065 | $3,532 | $12,154 | $3,039 |
| $75,000 | $10,597 | $5,299 | $20,433 | $5,108 |
| $100,000 | $14,130 | $7,065 | $30,413 | $7,603 |
| $150,000 | $21,194 | $10,597 | $50,794 | $12,698 |
Single filer, standard deduction. Total tax = SE tax + federal income tax + Virginia state tax. Estimates only.
Arlington sits directly across the Potomac from Washington, D.C., and hosts the Pentagon, a dense federal and defense-contracting economy, and Amazon's HQ2 in National Landing, giving it some of the highest household incomes and housing costs in Virginia.
| Local Metric | Arlington (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 235,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Arlington County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 133 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $24.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $48.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.00/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $2,200/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $2,800/month |
| Median home price | $750,000 |
| Median household income | $137,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 6% |
| Effective property tax rate | 1% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The federal SE tax rate is 15.3% (12.4% Social Security plus 2.9% Medicare), the same in Arlington as everywhere. It applies to 92.35% of net profit; Social Security stops at $176,100 of net earnings.
Virginia taxes self-employment income as ordinary income (2% to 5.75%), so Arlington freelancers owe state tax on top of federal.
On $60,000 of net profit in Arlington, estimated total tax (SE plus federal plus state) is about $15,217, or roughly $3,804 per quarter.
Arlington does not levy a local self-employment or income tax. Virginia does not levy a local business income tax, but Arlington County imposes a BPOL (Business, Professional and Occupational License) tax based on gross receipts and requires a business license. Budget for the BPOL tax and the Virginia LLC registration fee on top of the state filing fee.
Business expenses that lower net profit (equipment, software, home office, mileage) reduce both SE tax and income tax. The deductible half of SE tax, self-employed health insurance, and retirement contributions reduce income tax.