Estimate your self-employment tax in Bismarck 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
Bismarck self-employed workers pay federal SE tax and federal income tax, plus North Dakota state income tax (1.95% to 2.5%). North Dakota has near-zero income tax for most residents, with the first $44,725 (single) exempt and only a 1.5% rate above that. It has one of the lowest effective income tax rates in the nation.
| Net Profit | SE Tax | Half-SE Deduction | Total Est. Tax | Per Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $4,239 | $2,119 | $5,546 | $1,387 |
| $50,000 | $7,065 | $3,532 | $10,602 | $2,651 |
| $75,000 | $10,597 | $5,299 | $17,740 | $4,435 |
| $100,000 | $14,130 | $7,065 | $26,837 | $6,709 |
| $150,000 | $21,194 | $10,597 | $45,452 | $11,363 |
Single filer, standard deduction. Total tax = SE tax + federal income tax + North Dakota state tax. Estimates only.
Bismarck is the capital of North Dakota, on the Missouri River, with an economy anchored by state government, healthcare, energy (serving as a headquarters for much of the state's oil and gas industry), and agriculture.
| Local Metric | Bismarck (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 75,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Burleigh County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 88 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $19.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $38.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $7.25/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $950/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,200/month |
| Median home price | $300,000 |
| Median household income | $68,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 6.5% |
| 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 Bismarck as everywhere. It applies to 92.35% of net profit; Social Security stops at $176,100 of net earnings.
North Dakota taxes self-employment income as ordinary income (1.95% to 2.5%), so Bismarck freelancers owe state tax on top of federal.
On $60,000 of net profit in Bismarck, estimated total tax (SE plus federal plus state) is about $13,131, or roughly $3,283 per quarter.
Bismarck does not levy a local self-employment or income tax. Business owners should still budget for any required local license.
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.