2026 tax year · Tennessee
Tennessee self-employment tax calculator
A single freelancer in Tennessee earning $75,000 should set aside about 21% of every payment — $1,313 a month — for self-employment, federal income tax. Tennessee doesn't tax self-employment income, so that's all federal.
Set aside from every deposit
21%
≈ per year / per month
$15,750
$1,313/mo
Rule of thumb: for every $1,000 you earn, set aside $210.
An estimate for planning purposes, not tax advice or a filing. Uses 2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32), self-employment tax with the §199A (QBI) deduction, and state-level rates (Tax Foundation, 2026). Married-filing-separately filers should use "Single" as the closest estimate. Local income taxes (e.g. NYC, Ohio municipal) aren't modeled and would owe more than shown.
How Tennessee taxes self-employment income
Tennessee has no state income tax on self-employment income. It's one of 9 jurisdictions in Fern's dataset where freelance profit owes no state income tax, along with Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.
That doesn't mean no tax. Federal self-employment tax (14.13% of gross at $75,000) and federal income tax still apply, which is why the set-aside above isn't zero.
- Tennessee doesn't tax wage or self-employment income.
- Tennessee's Hall tax on interest and dividends was fully repealed in 2021, leaving no tax on individual income of any kind.
What to set aside in Tennessee at different incomes
Single filer, 2026 figures, no business deductions. Percentages are of gross income — the share to move aside from each deposit.
| Income | Self-employment | Federal | Tennessee | Set aside |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $5,652 | $1,775 | $0 | 19% · $633/mo |
| $75,000 | $10,597 | $4,898 | $0 | 21% · $1,313/mo |
| $120,000 | $16,955 | $11,506 | $0 | 24% · $2,400/mo |
Quarterly estimated tax deadlines
Nothing is withheld from 1099 income, so the IRS expects payments four times a year. The next one is due January 15, 2027. Since Tennessee doesn't tax self-employment income, these federal dates are the only ones you need.
| Due date | Covers income earned | Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2026 | 4th payment for 2026 | |
| Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2027 | 1st payment for 2027 — also the 2026 return deadline | |
| Apr 1 – May 31, 2027 | 2nd payment for 2027 | |
| Jun 1 – Aug 31, 2027 | 3rd payment for 2027 |
More on penalties, safe harbors and how to pay: quarterly estimated taxes guide.
Tennessee vs. neighboring states
Living in Tennessee instead of Virginia saves a freelancer netting $75,000 about $4,055 a year in state income tax. Single filer, 2026 figures:
| State | State income tax | Set aside | vs. Tennessee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $0 | 21% | — |
| Kentucky | $2,625 | 24% | +$2,625/yr |
| Virginia | $4,055 | 26% | +$4,055/yr |
| North Carolina | $2,993 | 25% | +$2,993/yr |
| Georgia | $3,893 | 26% | +$3,893/yr |
| Alabama | $3,710 | 26% | +$3,710/yr |
| Mississippi | $3,000 | 25% | +$3,000/yr |
| Arkansas | $2,838 | 24% | +$2,838/yr |
| Missouri | $3,344 | 25% | +$3,344/yr |
Set-aside guides by platform
Frequently asked questions
How much should I set aside for taxes as a freelancer in Tennessee?
For a single filer with $75,000 of 2026 self-employment income and no deductions, about 21% — roughly $1,313 a month. That covers $10,597 of self-employment tax, $4,898 of federal income tax and no state income tax. Your rate moves with your income, filing status and deductions, so use the calculator for your own numbers.
Does Tennessee have a state income tax?
No. Tennessee doesn't tax wage or self-employment income, so freelancers there only owe federal income tax and self-employment tax. Tennessee doesn't tax wage or self-employment income.
What is the self-employment tax rate in Tennessee?
Self-employment tax is federal, so it's the same in Tennessee as everywhere else: 15.3% (12.4% Social Security on earnings up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500, plus 2.9% Medicare) applied to 92.35% of your net profit. An extra 0.9% Medicare tax applies above $200,000 for single filers. You can deduct half of it when figuring federal income tax.
When are quarterly estimated taxes due?
The next federal estimated payment is due January 15, 2027, covering income from Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2026. The 2027 payments are due April 15, 2027, June 15, 2027, September 15, 2027.
Do I pay estimated taxes to Tennessee?
No state estimated payments are needed for self-employment income, because Tennessee doesn't tax it. You still make quarterly federal estimated payments to the IRS if you expect to owe $1,000 or more for the year.
Fern does this math for you, every time you get paid
Fern knows Tennessee has no income tax. When you confirm a deposit, it tracks what to set aside for taxes and shows what's safe to spend.
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Not tax advice. Fern provides estimates for planning a savings target; it doesn't file returns or replace a tax professional. Figures use 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 as amended by OBBBA), 2026 self-employment tax with the §199A deduction, and 2026 state rates (Tax Foundation). State estimates apply Tennessee's brackets to net profit without state deductions or credits; local income taxes other than Maryland's county tax aren't included.