TAX & COMPLIANCE
Trucking Quarterly Tax Calculator (2026)
Don't get blindsided in April. Enter your trucking net profit and this works out how much to set aside each quarter (and each week) for self-employment tax plus federal and state income tax — using the real 2026 IRS brackets.
| Tax | Estimated /yr |
|---|
An estimate, not tax advice or a filing. It ignores credits, retirement contributions, QBI, and dependents, and uses a flat state rate. Use it to size your set-aside; have a trucking-tax pro file the return.
Why the set-aside is bigger than W-2 drivers expect
As an owner-operator you pay both halves of Social Security and Medicare — that's the 15.3% self-employment tax, on 92.35% of your net profit (about 14.1% of net) — before any income tax. Then federal income tax stacks on top at 10–37% over the 2026 brackets, plus your state. For a typical solo owner-operator netting $60k–$90k, that lands around 25–30% of net profit. The good news: you deduct half the SE tax, and per-diem and real expense tracking shrink the net you're taxed on.
Roughly what to set aside by net profit (single filer, 5% state)
| Net profit | Est. total tax | ≈ % of net | Per week |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | ~$8,700 | ~22% | ~$167 |
| $60,000 | ~$14,700 | ~24% | ~$283 |
| $80,000 | ~$21,300 | ~27% | ~$410 |
| $100,000 | ~$28,600 | ~29% | ~$550 |
Illustrative, single filer, no other income, 5% flat state. Your number depends on filing status, state, and deductions — run yours above.
How the calculator works
- Self-employment tax = net profit × 92.35% × 15.3%; half of it is deducted before income tax.
- Taxable income = net profit − half the SE tax − the 2026 standard deduction ($16,100 single / $32,200 joint), plus any other household income.
- Federal income tax is the 2026 brackets applied to that taxable income (the share created by your trucking profit).
- State is your flat rate; add it up, divide by 4 for quarterly and 52 for a weekly set-aside.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I set aside for taxes?
Around 25–30% of net profit for most solo owner-operators. Set it aside every settlement so the quarterly payment is already sitting there.
When are estimated taxes due?
Generally April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. Paying ~25% of your projected tax each period avoids underpayment penalties.
Can I lower it?
Yes — claim per-diem for nights away, track every legitimate expense, and consider a retirement contribution. Each dollar of net profit you legitimately reduce saves you the ~14% SE tax plus your income-tax rate.
Methodology & sources
Uses 2026 IRS figures: self-employment tax 15.3% on 92.35% of net (half deductible); standard deduction $16,100 single / $32,200 MFJ; 2026 federal brackets (10% to $12,400/$24,800 … 37% over $640,600/$768,700). State is a flat user rate. Sources: IRS self-employment tax, Tax Foundation 2026 brackets. Estimate only — not tax advice. Last updated June 2026. Built by TruckMargin.