Finance · Iowa · Tax year 2026
Iowa Self-Employment Tax Calculator 2026
On $100,000 of 2026 self-employment profit, a single Iowa sole proprietor with no other income owes about $24,660: $14,130 of self-employment tax, $8,235 of federal income tax, and $2,296 of Iowa income tax. That is 24.7% of profit, or $6,165 for each quarterly estimated payment.
Against its neighbors, the same $100,000 of profit costs $2,500 more in Minnesota and $2,296 less in South Dakota.
- State income tax
- 3.8% flat
- Iowa tax on $100,000
- $2,296
- National rank
- #39 highest of 51
- Set aside on $100,000
- 24.7%
- State estimated payments
- Form IA 1040ES
- LLC filing fee
- $50
- State sales tax
- 6% + local
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Enter your net profit — revenue minus business expenses — to see how much to set aside and what to pay each quarter.
A 2026 planning estimate using the standard deduction, not a tax return: it ignores credits, itemized deductions, and AMT. All calculations happen in your browser. Nothing is stored.
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Iowa self-employment tax at common profit levels
2026 estimates for a single filer with no other income, using the standard deduction and no retirement or health insurance deductions. "Set aside" is the share of profit to move into a tax account; "Quarterly" is each of the four estimated payments.
| Profit | SE tax | Federal income tax | Iowa tax | Total | Set aside | Quarterly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $5,652 | $1,775 | $601 | $8,028 | 20.1% | $2,007 |
| $60,000 | $8,478 | $3,559 | $1,166 | $13,203 | 22.0% | $3,301 |
| $80,000 | $11,304 | $5,344 | $1,731 | $18,378 | 23.0% | $4,595 |
| $100,000 | $14,130 | $8,235 | $2,296 | $24,660 | 24.7% | $6,165 |
| $150,000 | $21,194 | $16,413 | $3,708 | $41,316 | 27.5% | $10,329 |
| $250,000 | $29,851 | $36,509 | $6,913 | $73,273 | 29.3% | $18,318 |
Married filing jointly
The same profit, earned by one spouse filing jointly with no other household income.
| Profit | SE tax | Federal income tax | Iowa tax | Total | Set aside | Quarterly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $5,652 | $398 | $71 | $6,121 | 15.3% | $1,530 |
| $60,000 | $8,478 | $1,885 | $636 | $10,999 | 18.3% | $2,750 |
| $80,000 | $11,304 | $3,550 | $1,201 | $16,055 | 20.1% | $4,014 |
| $100,000 | $14,130 | $5,335 | $1,766 | $21,230 | 21.2% | $5,308 |
| $150,000 | $21,194 | $9,795 | $3,179 | $34,169 | 22.8% | $8,542 |
| $250,000 | $29,573 | $25,154 | $6,092 | $60,819 | 24.3% | $15,205 |
How Iowa taxes self-employment income
Iowa starts from federal taxable income, so the federal standard deduction and the QBI deduction carry through to the state return before Iowa's own adjustments.
- Standard deduction: $0 (none)
- Personal credit against tax: $40 single, $80 joint, $80 head of household
- Top rate: 3.8%; your bracket on $100,000 of profit is 3.8%.
2026 Iowa income tax brackets (all filers)
| Taxable income over | Up to | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | and up | 3.8% |
Iowa vs its neighbors
The same $100,000 of 2026 profit for a single sole proprietor, run through each state's rules. Federal tax is the same everywhere, so the difference is state income tax. Against its neighbors, the same $100,000 of profit costs $2,500 more in Minnesota and $2,296 less in South Dakota.
| State | State income tax | Total tax | Set aside | vs Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | $2,296 | $24,660 | 24.7% | — |
| Illinois | $4,456 | $26,820 | 26.8% | +$2,160 |
| Minnesota | $4,796 | $27,161 | 27.2% | +$2,500 |
| Missouri | $3,373 | $25,737 | 25.7% | +$1,077 |
| Nebraska | $3,349 | $25,714 | 25.7% | +$1,053 |
| South Dakota | $0 | $22,365 | 22.4% | −$2,296 |
| Wisconsin | $4,008 | $26,373 | 26.4% | +$1,712 |
How the gap changes with profit
Extra tax (+) or savings (−) for a single filer if the same business were based in each of its neighbors instead of Iowa.
| Profit | Illinois | Minnesota | Missouri | Nebraska | South Dakota | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | +$1,095 | +$570 | +$188 | +$211 | −$601 | +$344 |
| $60,000 | +$1,450 | +$1,103 | +$493 | +$492 | −$1,166 | +$695 |
| $80,000 | +$1,805 | +$1,802 | +$789 | +$773 | −$1,731 | +$1,174 |
| $100,000 | +$2,160 | +$2,500 | +$1,077 | +$1,053 | −$2,296 | +$1,712 |
| $150,000 | +$3,047 | +$4,402 | +$1,906 | +$1,755 | −$3,708 | +$3,039 |
| $250,000 | +$4,586 | +$9,054 | +$3,205 | +$2,910 | −$6,913 | +$4,913 |
What's different about Iowa for the self-employed
- Iowa starts from federal taxable income, so the federal standard deduction and the QBI deduction carry through.
- Many school districts add a surtax of 0%–20% of your Iowa tax (not of income), which is not included.
- Many Iowa school districts add an income surtax (up to 20% of your state income tax liability) that is collected on the Iowa individual return; the rate depends on your school district.
- Starting with tax year 2026, Iowa's estimated-payment threshold is $1,000 of expected tax from income not subject to withholding (previously $200).
- Iowa LLCs file a biennial report in odd-numbered years (due April 1), not annually: $30 online or $45 on paper.
Iowa estimated payments and deadlines
Iowa collects its own estimated income tax with Form IA 1040ES, separately from the IRS. Required if you expect an Iowa tax liability of $1,000 or more from income not subject to withholding (the threshold rose from $200 starting with tax year 2026).
| Installment | Iowa due date | Share of the year | Federal due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | April 30, 2026 | 25% | April 15, 2026 |
| Q2 | June 30, 2026 | 25% | June 15, 2026 |
| Q3 | September 30, 2026 | 25% | September 15, 2026 |
| Q4 | February 1, 2027 (January 31 is a Sunday) | 25% | January 15, 2027 |
The 2026 Iowa income tax return is due April 30, 2027.
File and pay through the Iowa Department of Revenue.
LLC fees and sales tax in Iowa
- Forming an LLC: $50 state filing fee.
- Biennial Report: $30, every two years, due by April 1 of odd-numbered years.
- Sales tax: 6% statewide, plus local rates in many cities and counties. Use the Sales Tax Calculator to price a sale.
A single-member LLC is taxed exactly like a sole proprietorship unless it elects S or C corporation status, so the self-employment tax figures on this page apply either way.
Iowa self-employment tax FAQs
How much should I set aside for taxes if I'm self-employed in Iowa?
For a single filer with no other income, about 22.0% of profit at $60,000, 24.7% at $100,000, and 27.5% at $150,000 for 2026, covering self-employment tax, federal income tax, and Iowa income tax. Enter your own numbers in the calculator for a personal figure.
Does Iowa tax self-employment income?
Yes. Iowa taxes self-employment profit as ordinary income at 3.8% flat rate. Iowa starts from federal taxable income, so the federal standard deduction and the QBI deduction carry through to the state return before Iowa's own adjustments.
When are Iowa estimated tax payments due for 2026?
April 30, 2026, June 30, 2026, September 30, 2026, February 1, 2027 (January 31 is a Sunday), using Form IA 1040ES. Required if you expect an Iowa tax liability of $1,000 or more from income not subject to withholding (the threshold rose from $200 starting with tax year 2026).
How much does an LLC cost in Iowa?
The state filing fee to form an LLC is $50. Biennial Report: $30, every two years, due by April 1 of odd-numbered years. A single-member LLC is still taxed like a sole proprietorship for federal purposes, so the self-employment tax figures above apply.
Sources and method
Computed with the Self-Employment Tax Calculator's 2026 engine and Iowa's rules from the sources below. Planning estimates, not a return. Last checked 2026-10-08.
- revenue.iowa.gov/press-release/2025-10-21/idr-announces-2026-individual-income-tax-and-interest-rates
- revenue.iowa.gov/media/2725/download?inline=
- revenue.iowa.gov/taxes/tax-guidance/individual-income-tax/1040-expanded-instructions/exemption-credits
- revenue.iowa.gov/taxes/tax-guidance/general/iowa-taxfee-descriptions-and-rates
- sos.iowa.gov/businesses/business-entity-forms-and-fees