Estimate your self-employment tax in Butte 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
Butte self-employed workers pay federal SE tax and federal income tax, plus Montana state income tax (4.7% to 5.9%). Montana has no sales tax, joining Alaska, Delaware, New Hampshire, and Oregon. The state simplified its income tax to two brackets in 2024. Montana also has no local option sales taxes.
| Net Profit | SE Tax | Half-SE Deduction | Total Est. Tax | Per Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $4,239 | $2,119 | $6,151 | $1,538 |
| $50,000 | $7,065 | $3,532 | $12,213 | $3,053 |
| $75,000 | $10,597 | $5,299 | $20,527 | $5,132 |
| $100,000 | $14,130 | $7,065 | $30,541 | $7,635 |
| $150,000 | $21,194 | $10,597 | $50,992 | $12,748 |
Single filer, standard deduction. Total tax = SE tax + federal income tax + Montana state tax. Estimates only.
Butte was once one of the richest mining cities in the world, built on copper, and today preserves a vast National Historic Landmark district while anchoring its economy on Montana Technological University, healthcare, and ongoing mining and environmental remediation.
| Local Metric | Butte (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 35,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Silver Bow County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 80 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $18.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $37.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $10.55/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $800/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,000/month |
| Median home price | $260,000 |
| Median household income | $50,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 0% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.9% 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 Butte as everywhere. It applies to 92.35% of net profit; Social Security stops at $176,100 of net earnings.
Montana taxes self-employment income as ordinary income (4.7% to 5.9%), so Butte freelancers owe state tax on top of federal.
On $60,000 of net profit in Butte, estimated total tax (SE plus federal plus state) is about $15,289, or roughly $3,822 per quarter.
Butte 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.