Clearer take-home numbers for freelancers & side-hustlers
Free US-focused calculators and plain-English guides. Estimate rates, compare 1099 vs W-2, and plan for taxes — without the jargon. Educational estimates only, not advice.
Free tools
Client-side calculators you can use privately in your browser. No account required.
Freelance Rate Calculator
Turn a desired annual take-home into a recommended hourly rate after taxes and expenses.
1099 vs W-2 Compare
Roughly compare take-home when salary and freelance rate assumptions differ.
Quarterly Tax Estimate
Educational quarterly set-aside estimate from expected annual profit.
Invoice Calculator
Subtotal, tax, discount, and late fee — get a clean invoice total fast.
Hourly ↔ Salary
Bidirectional converter with customizable hours per week.
Effective Tax Set-Aside
Profit × your chosen % → monthly and quarterly savings targets.
New here? About TakeHomeLab — free educational tools for freelancers, not advice.
Popular guides
Plain-English explainers that pair with the tools above.
Self-Employment Tax Explained
Why freelance take-home often feels thinner than a similar W-2 paycheck.
Cash flowHow to Save for Taxes as a Freelancer
Practical set-aside systems so quarterly bills do not become emergencies.
TaxesHow Much to Set Aside for Taxes (%)
Practical percentage ranges to fund quarterly and year-end obligations.
PathWhen to Quit Your Job for Freelance
Runway and money checkpoints before leaving W-2 income.
TaxesHow to Calculate Self-Employment Tax
Educational walkthrough from net earnings to a cash set-aside plan.
CompareFreelance Rate vs Salary: Real Cost
All-in taxes, benefits, and utilization so quotes stop looking interchangeable.