How Much Should You Set Aside for 1099 Taxes?
The single most useful number for any 1099 worker is the set-aside percentage: the share of every payout that should go straight into a separate tax savings account. Get it right and April is uneventful; get it wrong and you face penalties, interest, and a five-figure surprise bill.
The short answer
Most 1099 gig workers should set aside 20–30% of net earnings (gross minus business expenses). The exact figure depends on three variables: your state, your other income, and how mileage-heavy your work is.
Why 25–30% is the safe default
Self-employment tax alone is 15.3% on 92.35% of net SE income — roughly 14.1%. Add federal income tax (10–24% for most gig workers after the standard deduction) and state tax (0–9.3%), and the all-in liability typically lands in the low- to mid-20s as a share of net.
Set-aside by situation
Part-time side gig, low-tax state
≈18–22% of net. Example: a Dasher in Florida earning $8,000/year.
Full-time, no-income-tax state
≈22–26% of net. Example: a full-time Uber driver in Texas.
Full-time, high-tax state
≈28–32% of net. Example: a freelancer in California or New York.
Freelancer with W-2 spouse
Marginal rate matters more than average — use 30–35% to be safe, especially if household income pushes into the 24% bracket.
Set aside from gross or from net?
Always net — meaning after mileage and business expenses. Setting aside 25% of gross when mileage is your single biggest deduction means you'll over-withhold by thousands and starve cash flow for no reason.
Where to keep the set-aside
Open a separate high-yield savings account labeled 'Taxes.' Move the set-aside on the same day each payout lands. Pay quarterly estimates from this account so the money never feels like spending cash.
Calculate your exact number
A blanket 25% is a fine default, but a real calculator that knows your state, mileage, and income beats a rule of thumb. Our free 1099 tax calculator returns a personal set-aside percentage in seconds — no signup, no data leaves your browser.
Frequently asked questions
+Is 30% enough to set aside for 1099 taxes?
For most gig workers earning under $75,000, yes — 30% of net self-employment income covers federal, state, and SE tax with margin. High earners in high-tax states may need 32–35%.
+Should I set aside taxes before or after deducting mileage?
After. Mileage is your biggest deduction; setting aside based on gross dramatically over-withholds and hurts cash flow.
+What account should I keep tax savings in?
A separate high-yield savings account in your name (not a joint account) so the money is mentally and physically isolated from spending cash.
About the author
Javed Niamat · Founder & Editor, GigTax
Javed Niamat founded GigTax to make self-employment tax math understandable for rideshare drivers, delivery couriers, creators and freelancers. He builds and maintains every calculator on this site and writes the guides that explain the numbers behind them.
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- Freelancer Tax CalculatorFull 2026 tax estimate on freelance 1099 income and expenses.
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