🧾 Side Hustle Tax Estimator

2026 Federal + State Planning Tool

⚠️ Planning estimates only — not tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional.

⚙️ Tax Year Setup

Configure your filing situation for accurate 2026 estimates.

💼 W-2 Income & Withholding

Enter wages and federal tax already withheld from paychecks.

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$
$
$
$

🏦 Pre-Tax Contributions

Reduce your AGI with tax-advantaged account contributions.

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2026 limit: $23,500 (under 50) / $31,000 (50+)
$
$
2026 family limit: $8,550
$

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Dependents & Tax Credits

Add dependents to calculate Child Tax Credits ($2,000/child under 17) and Other Dependent Credits ($500/dependent 17+). Credits phase out above $200,000 AGI (single/HOH) or $400,000 (MFJ).

📋 Credit Reference

Child Tax Credit Age 0–16 → $2,000 per child
Other Dependent Credit Age 17+ → $500 per dependent
Phase-Out Threshold Single/HOH: $200,000 AGI
Married: $400,000 AGI
Phase-Out Rate $50 reduction per $1,000
over threshold

🎯 Refund Cushion

Add a buffer to your quarterly payment estimates for peace of mind.

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Added to quarterly estimate. Common: $500–$2,000.

💰 Side Hustle Income

Log all 1099 / self-employment income. Add each source separately for clarity.

Source / Description Platform Amount Remove
Total Side Income $0

Quick add income source:

Freelance Rideshare Delivery Marketplace Rental Content Amazon FBA Tutoring Photography Other 1099

📋 Business Expenses

Deductible Schedule C expenses reduce your net profit and self-employment tax. Keep receipts for all entries.

Description Category Date Amount Deduction Remove
Total Deductible Expenses $0

Common IRS Schedule C categories:

Advertising Car & Truck Commissions Contract Labor Depreciation Insurance Legal & Professional Office Expense Rent / Lease Repairs Supplies Taxes & Licenses Travel Meals (50%) Utilities Home Office Phone / Internet Software / Subscriptions Education / Training Other

🚗 Mileage Log — IRS Pub. 463

The IRS requires contemporaneous records including date, destination, business purpose, and miles driven. Rate: $0.725/mile (2026).

📏 2026 Standard Mileage Rate: $0.725 per mile — IRS Rev. Proc. 2025 | Must choose Standard Mileage OR Actual Expenses — not both.

🚙 Vehicle Information IRS Required

📐 Deduction Method

Date * Destination * Business Purpose * Odometer Start Odometer End Miles * Deduction Remove
Total Business Miles 0 mi $0

✅ IRS Pub. 463 Compliance Checklist

📅
Date of each trip

Record the actual date — not approximate week or month.

📍
Destination

Name of place or general area. City and state sufficient.

💼
Business Purpose

Specific business reason — "client meeting," "supply pickup," etc.

🔢
Miles Driven

Business miles only. Commuting to a regular workplace is NOT deductible.

🚗
Vehicle Odometer

Record start/end odometer readings or use GPS app for verification.

📱
Contemporaneous Records

Log trips at or near the time of travel. Reconstructed logs face IRS scrutiny.

Net Side Hustle Profit
$0
After expenses & mileage
Adjusted Gross Income
$0
W-2 + profit − pre-tax − ½ SE
Federal Income Tax
$0
After dependent credits
Estimated Balance Due
$0
Total tax − withholding

📊 Full Tax Breakdown

Detailed line-by-line calculation for your records.

Income
W-2 Wages (Total) $0
Side Hustle Income $0
Business Expenses −$0
Mileage Deduction −$0
Net Side Hustle Profit $0
Adjustments to Income
Pre-Tax Contributions (401k, HSA, etc.) −$0
½ Self-Employment Tax Deduction −$0
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) $0
Deductions
Standard Deduction −$0
QBI Deduction (20% of qualified income) −$0
Taxable Income $0
Tax Calculation
Federal Income Tax (before credits) $0
Federal Income Tax (after credits) $0
Self-Employment Tax (SS + Medicare) $0
State Income Tax $0
Total Tax Liability $0
Payments & Balance
Total Withholding & Payments −$0
Estimated Balance Due $0
Effective Rates
Effective Federal Rate 0.0%
Self-Employment Tax Rate (on profit) 0.0%

📅 Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments

If you expect to owe $1,000+ in federal taxes, the IRS requires quarterly payments. Safe harbor: pay 100% of prior year tax or 90% of current year.

Q1 — April 15
$0
Q2 — June 16
$0
Q3 — September 15
$0
Q4 — January 15, 2027
$0

⚠️ Underpayment penalty applies if you pay less than the safe harbor amount. Pay via IRS Direct Pay.

📋 Disclaimer: This tool provides directional planning estimates only. Tax laws change frequently. Consult a licensed CPA or tax professional before making financial decisions. Not affiliated with the IRS.