📋 1099 vs. W-2 Calculator

See your true take-home pay as a 1099 contractor vs. W-2 employee after self-employment tax, federal income tax, health insurance, and employer benefits.

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Results
1099 Advantage
W-2 Gross
W-2 Net (after fed tax + FICA)
1099 Gross
1099 SE Tax (15.3%)
1099 Federal Income Tax
1099 Net After Tax
W-2 Benefits Value
Break-Even 1099 Rate
1099 Net = Gross − Expenses − SE Tax − Federal Income Tax
W-2 Net = Salary − Employee FICA (7.65%) − Federal Income Tax
Break-Even 1099 = W-2 Salary + All Self-Employment Costs

A 1099 contractor pays 15.3% self-employment tax vs. 7.65% FICA for W-2 employees (the employer pays the other half). The break-even 1099 rate is typically 20–30% higher than an equivalent W-2 salary once you account for SE tax, health insurance, retirement, and lost benefits. A $90k W-2 is roughly equivalent to a $115k–$120k 1099 rate.