Estimate your self-employment tax in Columbus 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
Columbus self-employed workers pay federal SE tax and federal income tax, plus Ohio state income tax (2.765% to 3.88%). Ohio exempts the first $26,050 of income from state tax entirely. The state has no annual report requirement for LLCs, making it relatively low-maintenance for business owners.
| 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 | $10,752 | $2,688 |
| $75,000 | $10,597 | $5,299 | $18,338 | $4,584 |
| $100,000 | $14,130 | $7,065 | $27,624 | $6,906 |
| $150,000 | $21,194 | $10,597 | $46,890 | $11,722 |
Single filer, standard deduction. Total tax = SE tax + federal income tax + Ohio state tax. Estimates only.
Columbus is the capital and largest city in Ohio, anchored by state government, The Ohio State University, insurance and finance led by Nationwide, healthcare, logistics, and a fast-growing technology sector boosted by major Intel semiconductor investment.
| Local Metric | Columbus (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 910,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Franklin County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 92 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $18.75/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $39.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $11.00/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,250/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,500/month |
| Median home price | $270,000 |
| Median household income | $66,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 7.5% |
| Effective property tax rate | 1.6% 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 Columbus as everywhere. It applies to 92.35% of net profit; Social Security stops at $176,100 of net earnings.
Ohio taxes self-employment income as ordinary income (2.765% to 3.88%), so Columbus freelancers owe state tax on top of federal.
On $60,000 of net profit in Columbus, estimated total tax (SE plus federal plus state) is about $13,537, or roughly $3,384 per quarter.
Columbus levies a municipal income tax of 2.5% on wages earned in the city and on business net profits. The calculators on this page show federal, Ohio, and FICA amounts, so Columbus residents and people who work in the city should add the 2.5% city income tax on top. Columbus does not charge a flat business license fee, but it levies its 2.5% municipal income tax on business net profits earned in the city. Ohio itself has no annual report fee for LLCs, so budget for the city net profits tax and any industry-specific permit 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.