Estimate your self-employment tax in Detroit for 2026: the 15.3% SE tax, the deductible half, federal income tax, state income tax, local income tax, and quarterly payments.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Detroit self-employed workers pay federal SE tax and federal income tax, plus Michigan state income tax (Flat 4.25%) and the detroit city income tax of 2.4% on residents. Michigan uses a flat income tax rate of 4.25%. Some cities, including Detroit and several others, impose their own local income taxes on residents and nonresidents working in the city.
| Net Profit | SE Tax | Half-SE Deduction | Total Est. Tax | Per Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $4,239 | $2,119 | $6,403 | $1,601 |
| $50,000 | $7,065 | $3,532 | $12,695 | $3,174 |
| $75,000 | $10,597 | $5,299 | $21,183 | $5,296 |
| $100,000 | $14,130 | $7,065 | $31,372 | $7,843 |
| $150,000 | $21,194 | $10,597 | $52,171 | $13,043 |
Single filer, standard deduction. Total tax = SE tax + federal income tax + Michigan state tax + detroit city income tax. Estimates only.
Detroit is the largest city in Michigan and the historic capital of the American auto industry, headquarters to General Motors and Stellantis with a major Ford presence nearby, and is rebuilding around mobility technology, healthcare, finance, and a revitalized downtown and riverfront.
| Local Metric | Detroit (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 630,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Wayne County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 96 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $21.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $40.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $13.73/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,150/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,400/month |
| Median home price | $95,000 |
| Median household income | $39,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 6% |
| Effective property tax rate | 2.1% 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 Detroit as everywhere. It applies to 92.35% of net profit; Social Security stops at $176,100 of net earnings.
Michigan taxes self-employment income as ordinary income (Flat 4.25%), and Detroit adds a city income tax of 2.4% on resident business owners.
On $60,000 of net profit in Detroit, estimated total tax (SE plus federal plus state plus local) is about $15,841, or roughly $3,960 per quarter.
Yes. Detroit residents pay the city income tax of 2.4% on net self-employment income, the same rate that applies to wages, in addition to Michigan state tax.
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.