Estimate your self-employment tax in Burlington 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
Burlington self-employed workers pay federal SE tax and federal income tax, plus Vermont state income tax (3.35% to 8.75%). Vermont has four income tax brackets with a top rate of 8.75%. The state uses federal AGI as the starting point for state income tax calculations. Vermont also exempts a portion of Social Security benefits from taxation.
| Net Profit | SE Tax | Half-SE Deduction | Total Est. Tax | Per Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $4,239 | $2,119 | $5,978 | $1,494 |
| $50,000 | $7,065 | $3,532 | $11,657 | $2,914 |
| $75,000 | $10,597 | $5,299 | $19,680 | $4,920 |
| $100,000 | $14,130 | $7,065 | $29,858 | $7,464 |
| $150,000 | $21,194 | $10,597 | $50,773 | $12,693 |
Single filer, standard deduction. Total tax = SE tax + federal income tax + Vermont state tax. Estimates only.
Burlington is the largest city in Vermont, on the shore of Lake Champlain, home to the University of Vermont and a major medical center, with an economy built on education and healthcare, technology, and tourism, near the GlobalFoundries semiconductor fab in nearby Essex.
| Local Metric | Burlington (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 45,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Chittenden County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 117 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $21.50/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $43.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $13.67/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,650/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $2,050/month |
| Median home price | $480,000 |
| Median household income | $60,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 7% |
| Effective property tax rate | 1.9% 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 Burlington as everywhere. It applies to 92.35% of net profit; Social Security stops at $176,100 of net earnings.
Vermont taxes self-employment income as ordinary income (3.35% to 8.75%), so Burlington freelancers owe state tax on top of federal.
On $60,000 of net profit in Burlington, estimated total tax (SE plus federal plus state) is about $14,496, or roughly $3,624 per quarter.
Burlington 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.