Estimate your self-employment tax in Houston for 2026: the 15.3% SE tax, the deductible half, federal income tax, and quarterly payments.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Houston self-employed workers pay federal SE tax and federal income tax, but no Texas state income tax. Texas has no state income tax, a provision enshrined in the state constitution. The state generates revenue primarily through sales tax (6.25% + local), property taxes, and oil and gas production taxes.
| 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 | $10,602 | $2,651 |
| $75,000 | $10,597 | $5,299 | $17,545 | $4,386 |
| $100,000 | $14,130 | $7,065 | $26,189 | $6,547 |
| $150,000 | $21,194 | $10,597 | $43,898 | $10,975 |
Single filer, standard deduction. Total tax = SE tax + federal income tax. Estimates only.
Houston is the largest city in Texas and the energy capital of the world, with a diverse economy spanning oil and gas, the Texas Medical Center (the largest medical complex on earth), the Port of Houston, aerospace at NASA's Johnson Space Center, and manufacturing.
| Local Metric | Houston (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 2.3 million |
| County / jurisdiction | Harris County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 96 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $19.60/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $40.20/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $7.25/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,350/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,650/month |
| Median home price | $340,000 |
| Median household income | $60,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 8.25% |
| Effective property tax rate | 2.09% 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 Houston as everywhere. It applies to 92.35% of net profit; Social Security stops at $176,100 of net earnings.
Texas has no state income tax, so self-employment income earned in Houston is not subject to state tax, only federal SE and income tax.
On $60,000 of net profit in Houston, estimated total tax (SE plus federal) is about $13,131, or roughly $3,283 per quarter.
Houston 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.