Estimate your self-employment tax in Hilo 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
Hilo self-employed workers pay federal SE tax and federal income tax, plus Hawaii state income tax (1.4% to 11%). Hawaii has 12 income tax brackets, one of the most graduated systems in the country. The top rate of 11% applies to income over $200,000 (single). Hawaii also has a General Excise Tax (GET) instead of a traditional sales tax.
| Net Profit | SE Tax | Half-SE Deduction | Total Est. Tax | Per Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $4,239 | $2,119 | $6,130 | $1,533 |
| $50,000 | $7,065 | $3,532 | $12,524 | $3,131 |
| $75,000 | $10,597 | $5,299 | $21,312 | $5,328 |
| $100,000 | $14,130 | $7,065 | $31,873 | $7,968 |
| $150,000 | $21,194 | $10,597 | $53,415 | $13,354 |
Single filer, standard deduction. Total tax = SE tax + federal income tax + Hawaii state tax. Estimates only.
Hilo is the largest community on the Big Island of Hawaii and its commercial and government center, the most affordable of Hawaii's major towns, with an economy built on government, the University of Hawaii at Hilo, agriculture, astronomy atop Mauna Kea, and tourism.
| Local Metric | Hilo (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 45,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Hawaii County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 140 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $22.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $44.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $16.00/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,450/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,800/month |
| Median home price | $450,000 |
| Median household income | $65,000/year |
| Combined General Excise Tax (GET) rate | 4.5% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.3% 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 Hilo as everywhere. It applies to 92.35% of net profit; Social Security stops at $176,100 of net earnings.
Hawaii taxes self-employment income as ordinary income (1.4% to 11%), so Hilo freelancers owe state tax on top of federal.
On $60,000 of net profit in Hilo, estimated total tax (SE plus federal plus state) is about $15,772, or roughly $3,943 per quarter.
Hilo 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.