TaxStash / Taxes by state / Alaska
2026 · Self-employed tax guide
If you freelance, contract, or run a one-person business in Alaska, taxes work differently than they did on a W-2. Here's what you actually owe in 2026 — and how much to set aside so a bill never catches you off guard.
Alaska is one of the states with no personal income tax on earned or self-employment income. As a freelancer here, you owe federal taxes only — a real, quantifiable advantage over high-tax states.
The biggest shock when you go independent isn't income tax — it's self-employment tax. On a W-2, your employer quietly paid half of your Social Security and Medicare. On your own, you pay both halves: 15.3% of your net earnings, on top of any federal and state income tax. This is the same in every state, and it's why setting money aside matters so much.
Because Alaska has no state income tax, your set-aside only needs to cover federal self-employment tax and federal income tax. You still pay those quarterly to the IRS — miss the deadlines and you can owe penalties even if you pay in full at year-end.
The 2026 federal quarterly due dates are April 15, June 15, September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027.
Calculate your Alaska set-aside →Free 2026 calculator, pre-set to AlaskaEstimate and general information only — not tax advice. Federal figures use 2026 IRS amounts; state figures use 2026 state rate tables. Local/city taxes and state-specific credits and exemptions are simplified. Confirm with a tax professional before filing.