Estimate your self-employment tax in Tucson 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
Tucson self-employed workers pay federal SE tax and federal income tax, plus Arizona state income tax (Flat 2.5%). Arizona adopted a flat income tax rate of 2.5% starting in 2023, making it one of the lowest flat-rate income tax states in the nation.
| Net Profit | SE Tax | Half-SE Deduction | Total Est. Tax | Per Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $4,239 | $2,119 | $5,868 | $1,467 |
| $50,000 | $7,065 | $3,532 | $11,389 | $2,847 |
| $75,000 | $10,597 | $5,299 | $18,913 | $4,728 |
| $100,000 | $14,130 | $7,065 | $28,138 | $7,034 |
| $150,000 | $21,194 | $10,597 | $47,008 | $11,752 |
Single filer, standard deduction. Total tax = SE tax + federal income tax + Arizona state tax. Estimates only.
Tucson is the second-largest city in Arizona, home to the University of Arizona, a major aerospace and defense presence led by Raytheon and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, optics and astronomy research, and a growing logistics corridor toward the Mexico border.
| Local Metric | Tucson (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 545,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Pima County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 91 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $20.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $40.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.15/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,150/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,450/month |
| Median home price | $330,000 |
| Median household income | $55,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 8.7% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.63% 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 Tucson as everywhere. It applies to 92.35% of net profit; Social Security stops at $176,100 of net earnings.
Arizona taxes self-employment income as ordinary income (Flat 2.5%), so Tucson freelancers owe state tax on top of federal.
On $60,000 of net profit in Tucson, estimated total tax (SE plus federal plus state) is about $14,150, or roughly $3,537 per quarter.
Tucson 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.