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Free 2026 calculator · Updated

Freelance designer tax calculator for Kentucky

Estimate your 2026 tax on 1099 design income, what to pay each quarter, and which tools, fonts and assets you can write off.

Kentucky taxes income at a flat 3.5%. This calculator applies that rate to your adjusted gross income.

01About you

Filing status

02Your 2026 creator income

$

Platform payouts, sponsorships, 1099-NEC and 1099-K — before fees and expenses.

03Business expenses

Business-use share only

Enter your creator income to see how much of every payment to set aside — and when to pay the IRS.

Write-off checklist

Freelance designer tax write-offs

Don't leave these on the table. Add the ones that apply, then enter what you spent this year.

  • Computer, tablet, color-accurate display

    Business-use share.

  • Fonts, stock photos, mockupsOften missed

    Licenses bought for client work.

  • Portfolio platforms

    Dribbble Pro, Behance, website hosting.

  • Home officeOften missed

    A room or area used regularly and exclusively for your work. The simplified method gives $5/sq ft up to 300 sq ft without tracking actual costs.

    A corner of the living room you also relax in does not qualify — the space must be exclusive.

  • Internet and phone (business share)Often missed

    Deduct the percentage of your bill used for work. 70% business use of a $90/month plan is $756/year.

  • Software and subscriptions

    Editing suites, design tools, cloud storage, password managers, scheduling tools, AI tools used for work.

  • Platform and payment processing feesOften missed

    If your 1099-K shows gross payments, the platform's cut and payment fees are deductible. Many people pay tax on money they never received.

  • Courses and learning

    Courses, books and conferences that improve skills in the business you already run.

  • Self-employed health insuranceOften missed

    Premiums for you and your family are deductible from income tax (not Schedule C) if you were not eligible for an employer plan. Not yet included in this calculator's total.

  • SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k)Often missed

    Contributions cut income tax and can be made up to the filing deadline for a SEP-IRA. Not yet included in this calculator's total.

Example: a freelance designer earning $75,000 in Kentucky

A single filer with $75,000 of freelance designer income and $5,800 of deductible business expenses owes about $16,409 for 2026 — 21.9% of gross income. That means setting aside 22% of every payment, or about $4,102 a quarter if paid in four equal installments.

Gross income
$75,000
Deductible business expenses
−$5,800
Net profit (Schedule C)
$69,200
Self-employment tax
$9,778
Federal income tax
$4,380
Kentucky income tax
$2,251
Total 2026 tax
$16,409

How much freelance designers in Kentucky should set aside

Share of every payment to set aside for 2026 federal income tax, self-employment tax and state tax. Assumes a single filer, standard deduction, no other job and 15% of income spent on business expenses.

Gross incomeKentuckyTexas
$30,00016.8% · $5,04014.0% · $4,211
$50,00018.8% · $9,38616.0% · $8,003
$75,00020.0% · $14,97517.2% · $12,902
$100,00020.6% · $20,56517.8% · $17,800
$150,00023.3% · $34,89520.5% · $30,748
$250,00025.2% · $63,07122.5% · $56,133

Freelance Designer tax questions

Are font and stock licenses deductible?

Yes, when bought for client work or your business: font licenses, stock photos, mockups and plugin subscriptions.

How much should a freelance designer save for taxes?

Most freelance designers need to set aside 15–25% of every invoice for federal, self-employment and state tax, more at higher incomes or in high-tax states. Enter your income and state above to see your exact percentage.

Can I deduct my iPad and Apple Pencil?

Yes, for the share you use for design work. If it's 90% business, 90% of the cost is deductible.

Do I have to pay quarterly estimated taxes?

If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal tax after withholding, the IRS expects four estimated payments (Form 1040-ES): April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15. Paying at least 90% of this year's tax, or 100% of last year's (110% if your AGI was over $150,000), avoids the underpayment penalty.

What is self-employment tax?

It's Social Security and Medicare for people without an employer: 15.3% of 92.35% of your net profit, on top of income tax. Social Security (12.4%) stops at $184,500 of combined wages and self-employment earnings in 2026; Medicare (2.9%) has no cap. You deduct half of it when figuring income tax.

2026 quarterly estimated tax due dates

Self-employed people pay income and self-employment tax four times a year with Form 1040-ES. Each payment covers income earned in the period shown; if a date falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day.

PaymentIncome earnedDue date
Q1Jan 1 – Mar 31
Q2Apr 1 – May 31
Q3Jun 1 – Aug 31
Q4Sep 1 – Dec 31

Pay online with IRS Direct Payor EFTPS and choose "1040-ES estimated tax". To avoid the underpayment penalty, pay at least 90% of this year's tax or 100% of last year's (110% if last year's AGI was over $150,000) across the four dates.

How the calculator works

  1. Net profit. Gross creator income minus deductible business expenses (meals at 50%), as on Schedule C.
  2. Self-employment tax. 15.3% of 92.35% of net profit — 12.4% Social Security up to the $184,500 wage base (reduced by any W-2 wages) plus 2.9% Medicare, and 0.9% additional Medicare above $200,000 ($250,000 married filing jointly).
  3. Federal income tax. 2026 brackets applied after the standard deduction, half of self-employment tax, and the 20% qualified business income (QBI) deduction.
  4. State tax. Each state's 2026 flat rate or brackets; states without an income tax add nothing.
  5. Quarterly payments. The year's balance spread over the four 1040-ES dates, with the 90% / 100% / 110% safe-harbor minimums shown.

Last reviewed . Sources:IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (2026 brackets and standard deduction); IRS Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax; Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals; Schedule SE, Self-Employment Tax; SSA contribution and benefit base.

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