Estimate your quarterly taxes as a self-employed worker in Saint Louis for 2026, including self-employment tax, federal income tax, and Missouri state income tax.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Saint Louis freelancers pay federal self-employment tax, federal income tax, and Missouri state income tax (2% to 5%). Missouri has been reducing its top income tax rate, which fell to 4.8% for 2024. The state allows a deduction for federal income taxes paid, which effectively reduces the state tax burden.
| Tax Component | Rate / Detail (2026) |
|---|---|
| Self-Employment Tax | 15.3% on 92.35% of net profit |
| Social Security portion | 12.4% on first $176,100 |
| Medicare portion | 2.9% (no cap) |
| SE Tax Deduction | Deduct half of SE tax from income |
| Federal Standard Deduction (Single) | $15,000 |
| Missouri State Income Tax | 2% to 5% |
| Saint Louis Local Income Tax | 1% (city earnings tax) |
| Quarterly Due Dates | April 15, June 16, September 15, January 15 |
St. Louis sits at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, with an economy built on healthcare and bioscience (including a major plant-science cluster), financial services, aerospace and defense led by Boeing, brewing, and higher education at Washington University.
| Local Metric | Saint Louis (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 300,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | the City of St. Louis |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 86 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $19.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $38.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $12.30/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,100/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,350/month |
| Median home price | $230,000 |
| Median household income | $52,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 9.679% |
| Effective property tax rate | 1.2% 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.
If you expect to owe at least $1,000 in federal tax, you generally must pay quarterly. This covers freelancers, contractors, sole proprietors, and LLC members in Saint Louis. Missouri also requires state estimated payments if you expect to owe $100 or more in state income tax.
Federal estimated taxes are due April 15, June 16, September 15, and January 15. Missouri uses the same quarterly schedule as the IRS for its state estimated payments.
A common rule is 25% to 35% of net profit. Because Missouri adds state income tax (2% to 5%) on top of federal taxes, Saint Louis freelancers often set aside toward the higher end. Use the calculator above for your numbers.
The self-employment tax rate is 15.3% (12.4% Social Security up to $176,100 of net earnings, plus 2.9% Medicare with no cap). It applies to 92.35% of net profit, and half of it is deductible against income tax.
St. Louis levies a 1% earnings tax on the wages of residents and of non-residents who work in the city, and on business net profits earned in the city. The calculators on this page show federal, Missouri, and FICA amounts, so people who live or work in St. Louis should add the 1% earnings tax on top.