Estimate your self-employment tax in New York City 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
New York City self-employed workers pay federal SE tax and federal income tax, plus New York state income tax (4% to 10.9%). New York City residents also owe city income tax of 3.078% to 3.876%, and the city Unincorporated Business Tax of 4% can apply to net business income above roughly $95,000. New York has nine income tax brackets with a top rate of 10.9%. New York City residents pay an additional city income tax of 3.078% to 3.876%, making the combined top rate over 14%.
| Net Profit | SE Tax | Half-SE Deduction | Total Est. Tax | Per Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $4,239 | $2,119 | $6,494 | $1,624 |
| $50,000 | $7,065 | $3,532 | $13,274 | $3,318 |
| $75,000 | $10,597 | $5,299 | $22,384 | $5,596 |
| $100,000 | $14,130 | $7,065 | $33,207 | $8,302 |
| $150,000 | $21,194 | $10,597 | $55,491 | $13,873 |
Single filer, standard deduction. Total tax = SE tax + federal income tax + New York state tax + new york city income tax. Estimates only.
New York City is the largest city in the United States and a global capital of finance, media, technology, fashion, and the arts, with Wall Street, a dense headquarters economy, world-leading tourism, and the highest cost of living of any major U.S. metro.
| Local Metric | New York City (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 8.3 million |
| County / jurisdiction | the five boroughs |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 168 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $26.50/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $51.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $17.00/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $3,500/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $4,100/month |
| Median home price | $760,000 |
| Median household income | $76,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 8.875% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.88% 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 New York City as everywhere. It applies to 92.35% of net profit; Social Security stops at $176,100 of net earnings.
New York State taxes self-employment income as ordinary income (4% to 10.9%), and New York City adds its own income tax of 3.078% to 3.876%. Self-employed New Yorkers may also owe the city Unincorporated Business Tax of 4% on net business income above roughly $95,000.
On $60,000 of net profit in New York City, estimated total tax (SE plus federal plus state plus local) is about $16,668, or roughly $4,167 per quarter.
Yes. New York City levies a 4% Unincorporated Business Tax on net income of unincorporated businesses above roughly $95,000, with a credit that fully exempts smaller businesses, in addition to the personal city income 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.