Self-Employed Tax Hub: Every Calculator, One Page
Every self-employed tax guide on FreelancerMetrics, organised in one place — the four state calculators compared side by side, the federal guides they build on, and the international editions for the UK, Canada and Australia.
Updated September 29, 2026 · 2026 estimates · By Javed Niamat
Start here: the layer that never changes
Before any state enters the picture, every US freelancer pays the same federal bill: the 15.3% self-employment tax on 92.35% of net profit, plus federal income tax after the standard deduction and the deductible half of SE tax. On $78,000 of profit that federal stack is roughly $18,600 — in Louisville, Kansas City, Wichita and Oklahoma City alike. The state layer moves your total by only a few points either way, which is why the differences below matter most at the margins: city taxes, bracket structure, and whether you knew the state taxed you at all.
The four state calculators, side by side
| Factor | Kentucky | Missouri | Kansas | Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top state rate | 3.5% flat | Up to 4.7% | Up to 5.58% | Up to 4.75% |
| Local / city taxes | Louisville & Lexington occupational taxes (≈1–2.2%) | 1% earnings tax in Kansas City & St. Louis | None for typical freelancers | None for typical freelancers |
| Combined effective rate | ≈29% | ≈29% | ≈28% | ≈26% |
| Quarterly payment (guide example) | ≈$6,234 | ≈$6,633 | ≈$5,372 | ≈$4,679 |
| Full guide | Kentucky guide → | Missouri guide → | Kansas guide → | Oklahoma guide → |
Single filer, standard deduction, 2026 estimates. Each guide uses a different worked profit, so compare the effective rates rather than the raw dollars. For a deeper dive, see the four-state comparison.
Combined effective rate at five profit levels
| Net profit | Kentucky | Missouri | Kansas | Oklahoma |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35,000 | ≈19% | ≈19% | ≈20% | ≈20% |
| $55,000 | ≈22% | ≈23% | ≈23% | ≈23% |
| $75,000 | ≈26% | ≈27% | ≈28% | ≈26% |
| $100,000 | ≈28% | ≈29% | ≈29% | ≈29% |
| $140,000 | ≈31% | ≈32% | ≈32% | ≈32% |
Federal SE tax + federal income tax + state tax, single filer. City earnings and occupational taxes excluded — add roughly 1 point if you work in Kansas City, St. Louis, Louisville or Lexington.
What actually separates the states
Kentucky Self-Employed Tax Calculator
Lowest top rate of the four — city occupational taxes are the catch.
Missouri Self-Employed Tax Calculator
Moderate brackets; the surprise is the 1% city earnings tax.
Kansas Self-Employed Tax Calculator
Highest top rate — the old LLC pass-through exemption is gone.
Oklahoma Self-Employed Tax Calculator
Gentlest overall — newcomers from Texas are routinely caught out.
The federal guides
These apply in every state — start here if your state does not have its own guide yet.
Freelance Self-Employment Tax Calculator
The 15.3% SE tax, the 92.35% base, the deductible half and quarterly payments — the federal layer every state guide builds on.
Free Tax Calculator USA
A full federal estimate: income tax, SE tax, standard deduction and what to reserve from each payment.
Freelancer Tax Withholding Calculator
How much to hold back from every invoice so April never surprises you.
Freelance Tax Estimator
A quick annual estimate from revenue, expenses and filing status — the fastest way to a reserve percentage.
Outside the US
UK Freelance Tax Calculator
Income Tax, Class 4 National Insurance, payments on account and the VAT threshold.
Canada Freelance Tax Calculator
Federal and provincial brackets, doubled CPP, the $30k GST/HST threshold and quarterly instalments.
Australia Freelance Tax Calculator
The $18,200 tax-free threshold, Medicare levy, $75,000 GST threshold and PAYG instalments.
One calendar covers all four states
Every state here follows the federal estimated-payment schedule: April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15, with annual returns due April 15. On the guide examples that means quarterly payments of roughly $4,679 in Oklahoma, $5,372 in Kansas, $6,234 in Kentucky and $6,633 in Missouri. Put all eight dates — four federal, four state — in your calendar in January, automate the transfer the day each client payment lands, and the April crisis disappears.
Frequently asked questions
Which state has the lowest self-employment tax?
On the state rate alone, Kentucky's flat 3.5% is the lowest — but Louisville and Lexington add occupational taxes of roughly 1% to 2.2%. For a typical home-based freelancer, Oklahoma is the gentlest overall, with no city earnings tax and an effective combined rate around 26% on mid-five-figure profits.
Is the federal self-employment tax the same in every state?
Yes. The 15.3% federal SE tax — 12.4% Social Security plus 2.9% Medicare on 92.35% of net profit — is identical everywhere. It is the largest single layer of the bill in all four states, which is why moving between them changes your total by only a few percentage points.
How much should I save from each freelance payment?
At common profit levels of $50,000 to $110,000, hold 25% to 29% of every payment in Kentucky, Missouri and Oklahoma, and 26% to 31% in Kansas. Transfer the reserve the day money arrives, into an account you do not see daily.
When are quarterly estimated payments due?
All four states follow the federal estimated-payment calendar: April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15, with annual returns due April 15. If you expect to owe $1,000 or more federally, estimates are required, and each state has its own threshold for state estimates.
Do I owe city tax on freelance income?
In Missouri, yes — Kansas City and St. Louis each charge a 1% earnings tax. In Kentucky, Louisville and Lexington charge occupational taxes of roughly 1% to 2.2%. Kansas and Oklahoma have no equivalent city earnings tax for a typical home-based freelancer.
What if I live in a state without a guide here?
Start with the federal guides — the Self-Employment Tax Calculator and Free Tax Calculator USA cover the federal layer that applies in every state. Then add your state's income tax rate on top. More state guides are added regularly.
Does moving states mid-year split my tax?
Generally yes — you file a part-year resident return in each state, allocating the profit earned while resident there. Keep clean records of your move date and which invoices were paid before and after it; both states will want the allocation to add up.
I'm outside the US — which guides apply to me?
The UK, Canada and Australia guides each cover their national system in full: income tax, social contributions (National Insurance, CPP, Medicare levy), sales-tax thresholds and instalment schedules, with worked examples in local currency.
See your own numbers, not the averages
Enter your revenue, expenses and filing status to estimate your combined federal, state and SE tax — and the quarterly reserve to set aside.
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