Estimate your self-employment tax in Lafayette 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
Lafayette self-employed workers pay federal SE tax and federal income tax, plus Louisiana state income tax (Flat 3%). Louisiana reformed its income tax in 2022, reducing brackets from six to three. The state has relatively high combined state and local sales tax rates.
| Net Profit | SE Tax | Half-SE Deduction | Total Est. Tax | Per Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $4,239 | $2,119 | $5,932 | $1,483 |
| $50,000 | $7,065 | $3,532 | $11,546 | $2,887 |
| $75,000 | $10,597 | $5,299 | $19,187 | $4,797 |
| $100,000 | $14,130 | $7,065 | $28,527 | $7,132 |
| $150,000 | $21,194 | $10,597 | $47,630 | $11,908 |
Single filer, standard deduction. Total tax = SE tax + federal income tax + Louisiana state tax. Estimates only.
Lafayette is the heart of Acadiana and Cajun and Creole culture, with an economy tied to the oil and gas service industry, healthcare, higher education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and a celebrated food and music tradition.
| Local Metric | Lafayette (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 120,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Lafayette Parish |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 88 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $19.50/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $39.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $7.25/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,050/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,300/month |
| Median home price | $230,000 |
| Median household income | $55,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 9.45% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.55% 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 Lafayette as everywhere. It applies to 92.35% of net profit; Social Security stops at $176,100 of net earnings.
Louisiana taxes self-employment income as ordinary income (Flat 3%), so Lafayette freelancers owe state tax on top of federal.
On $60,000 of net profit in Lafayette, estimated total tax (SE plus federal plus state) is about $14,353, or roughly $3,588 per quarter.
Lafayette 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.