Stack platform commission, payment processing, and tax in one pass. See exactly what lands in your bank account.
A $1,000 invoice rarely becomes $1,000 in your bank account. By the time it arrives, it's been through three layers of deductions: the platform takes its commission (if you're on Fiverr, Upwork, or similar), payment processing takes its cut on what's left, and self-employment tax claims a chunk of the rest. Most freelancers don't model all three together — and end up surprised at year-end.
This calculator stacks all three layers in the order they actually happen. Enter what you want to take home (reverse mode) or what the project is worth (forward mode), and configure the stack with the presets or custom values. The breakdown shows exactly what each layer takes, so you can see where your money is going and decide which layers are worth optimizing.
Assumes 25% tax buffer.
| Stack | Layers | Take-Home % |
|---|---|---|
| Direct client + bank transfer | 0% platform, ~$5 flat, 25% tax | ~74% |
| Direct client + Stripe/PayPal | 0% platform, 2.9% + $0.30, 25% tax | ~73% |
| Upwork (lowest tier) + PayPal | 5% platform, 2.9% + $0.30, 25% tax | ~69% |
| Upwork (mid tier) + PayPal | 10% platform, 2.9% + $0.30, 25% tax | ~65% |
| Fiverr + PayPal | 20% platform, 2.9% + $0.30, 25% tax | ~58% |
| Fiverr + PayPal + international | 20% platform, ~6% + $0.30, 30% tax | ~52% |
Take-home pay is what's actually left after every cost: platform commissions (e.g. Fiverr's 20%, Upwork's 5–20%), payment processing fees (e.g. PayPal's 2.9% + $0.30), and self-employment tax (typically 25–30% in the US). A $1,000 invoice can shrink to $500–$600 in take-home depending on the stack. This calculator models all three layers so you can see your real net.
Often yes. Fiverr deducts its 20% before paying you out, then if you withdraw to PayPal or a payment card, processing fees may apply on top. Upwork's withdrawal to certain methods (instant pay, PayPal) incurs additional fees. The exact stack depends on the platform and the payout method you choose — this calculator lets you model the full stack with a single project value.
Use reverse mode. Enter your target take-home and configure the stack to match your situation. The calculator works backwards through tax, processing, and platform fees to give you the exact project value to quote your client. For a $1,000 take-home using Fiverr + PayPal + 25% tax, you'd need to charge approximately $1,720.
The "tax buffer" is a single percentage representing your total income tax burden. For US self-employed workers, 25–30% is reasonable (federal income tax + 15.3% self-employment tax + state, after some deductions). Other countries differ widely: UK self-employed are roughly 20–40% depending on bracket; EU/Nordic countries can be higher; tax-free jurisdictions are 0%. Adjust the percentage to match your circumstances. This tool is for estimation only — consult a local tax professional for precise planning.
The four presets cover the most common stacks for freelancers. For platforms with different rates (Toptal, Contra, 99designs, etc.), enter the platform fee manually. Most platform commissions are flat percentages, so any rate can be modeled by typing it into the platform fee field. For platforms with sliding scales (like Upwork), this calculator handles a single tier at a time — use the dedicated Upwork calculator for tiered modeling.
3 ways to keep more of every project
The platform layer is usually the biggest single cost. A Fiverr buyer paying $1,000 becomes $800 before anything else happens. If a client could pay you direct via Stripe/PayPal instead, you'd keep an extra $200. Long-term clients found through a platform often agree to move off-platform after a successful project — check the platform's terms (Fiverr and Upwork prohibit this initially but generally allow it after a relationship is established).
If you've already escaped the platform layer, the processing layer is the next to optimize. Card / PayPal at 2.9% + $0.30 costs $29.30 on a $1,000 invoice. Stripe ACH at 0.8% capped at $5 costs $5. On 50 invoices a year, that's $1,215 back in your pocket — without any negotiation or rate increase.
The tax layer can be partly compressed with deductible contributions: Solo 401(k), SEP-IRA, and HSA contributions all reduce your taxable income. A solo 401(k) lets you defer up to ~$23k from taxes (2026 limits). On a $30k contribution at a 30% effective rate, that's $9,000 back in deferred tax. Consult a CPA — the structure of your business can also affect your effective rate.