Estimate your self-employment tax in Wilmington 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
Wilmington self-employed workers pay federal SE tax and federal income tax, plus Delaware state income tax (2.2% to 6.6%). Delaware has no sales tax and is famous as a business-friendly incorporation state. The Court of Chancery specializes in business law, making Delaware the preferred state for corporate formation nationwide.
| Net Profit | SE Tax | Half-SE Deduction | Total Est. Tax | Per Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $4,239 | $2,119 | $5,945 | $1,486 |
| $50,000 | $7,065 | $3,532 | $11,962 | $2,991 |
| $75,000 | $10,597 | $5,299 | $20,195 | $5,049 |
| $100,000 | $14,130 | $7,065 | $30,317 | $7,579 |
| $150,000 | $21,194 | $10,597 | $51,092 | $12,773 |
Single filer, standard deduction. Total tax = SE tax + federal income tax + Delaware state tax. Estimates only.
Wilmington is the largest city in Delaware and a major corporate and banking center, home to credit-card and financial-services operations drawn by Delaware's business-friendly laws, along with the chemical industry's historic roots and the Court of Chancery.
| Local Metric | Wilmington (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 70,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | New Castle County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 106 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $21.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $42.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.00/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,350/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,650/month |
| Median home price | $280,000 |
| Median household income | $50,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 0% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.7% 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 Wilmington as everywhere. It applies to 92.35% of net profit; Social Security stops at $176,100 of net earnings.
Delaware taxes self-employment income as ordinary income (2.2% to 6.6%), so Wilmington freelancers owe state tax on top of federal.
On $60,000 of net profit in Wilmington, estimated total tax (SE plus federal plus state) is about $15,006, or roughly $3,752 per quarter.
Wilmington levies a 1.25% city wage tax on the earnings of residents and of non-residents who work in the city. The calculators on this page show federal, Delaware, and FICA amounts, so people who live or work in Wilmington should add the 1.25% city wage tax on top. Delaware has no state sales tax but levies a gross receipts tax on most businesses and an annual LLC franchise tax of $300, and Wilmington applies its city wage tax to business net profits earned in the city. Budget for the gross receipts tax and franchise tax on top of the state 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.