Estimate your self-employment tax in Saint Louis 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
Saint Louis self-employed workers pay federal SE tax and federal income tax, plus 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.
| Net Profit | SE Tax | Half-SE Deduction | Total Est. Tax | Per Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $4,239 | $2,119 | $6,054 | $1,514 |
| $50,000 | $7,065 | $3,532 | $12,003 | $3,001 |
| $75,000 | $10,597 | $5,299 | $20,061 | $5,015 |
| $100,000 | $14,130 | $7,065 | $29,820 | $7,455 |
| $150,000 | $21,194 | $10,597 | $49,760 | $12,440 |
Single filer, standard deduction. Total tax = SE tax + federal income tax + Missouri state tax. Estimates only.
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.
The federal SE tax rate is 15.3% (12.4% Social Security plus 2.9% Medicare), the same in Saint Louis as everywhere. It applies to 92.35% of net profit; Social Security stops at $176,100 of net earnings.
Missouri taxes self-employment income as ordinary income (2% to 5%), so Saint Louis freelancers owe state tax on top of federal.
On $60,000 of net profit in Saint Louis, estimated total tax (SE plus federal plus state) is about $14,977, or roughly $3,744 per quarter.
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. Missouri does not levy a statewide local business income tax, but St. Louis applies its 1% earnings tax to business net profits earned in the city and adds a payroll expense tax and business license. Budget for the earnings tax and these costs on top of the Missouri LLC filing fee.
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.