Pennsylvania charges 3.07% flat + local state income tax plus local taxes in some areas. Use the freelance tax calculator pre-loaded with Pennsylvania rates.
Open Freelance Tax Calculator →Freelancing in Pennsylvania means stacking a flat 3.07% state income tax on top of the 15.3% self-employment tax and federal income tax. Certain Pennsylvania localities impose additional taxes on self-employment income, further raising your effective rate. The combined marginal rate for freelancers here can exceed 40% on income in the 22% federal bracket. Careful quarterly estimated payment planning is critical to avoid underpayment penalties. This calculator factors in Pennsylvania's state tax and the deductible half of SE tax to give you an accurate picture.
Pennsylvania levies a flat 3.07% state income tax on all taxable income regardless of how much you earn. This makes tax planning straightforward: for every additional dollar you earn, 3.07 cents goes to Pennsylvania. However, certain localities in Pennsylvania impose their own income taxes, which effectively raise the combined state and local rate above 3.07%. Be sure to check whether your city or county adds a local income tax.
The table below shows what you actually keep at five salary levels in Pennsylvania, accounting for federal tax, FICA, and Pennsylvania's flat 3.07% state tax plus estimated local taxes.
See how Pennsylvania compares to other Northeast states. Each link takes you to the freelance tax calculator landing page for that state.
For a comprehensive breakdown of Pennsylvania’s tax structure, salary comparisons, cost-of-living analysis, and more, visit the full Pennsylvania take-home pay page.