Self-Employed · Freelancers · 1099

California Solo 401(k) Calculator 2026

Your exact contribution limit and combined federal + California state tax savings. Free, no sign-up.

California state tax

9.3% State Rate

2026 max contribution

$70,000

Est. total savings*

$13,146

Deadline to open

Dec 31, 2026

*Based on $42,000 contribution at 22% federal + 9.3% state rate

California tax note: California's 9.3% state income tax rate means every dollar you contribute to your Solo 401(k) saves you at both the federal and state level. On a $42,000 contribution, that's roughly $3,906 in California state taxes alone — on top of your federal savings.

Your situation

Takes under 2 minutes · We never store your inputs

✦ Import from document

Paste an offer letter, 1099, contract, or any document with income details — Claude will fill the fields for you.

Affects catch-up contribution limits (age 50+, 60–63 enhanced)

From Schedule C line 31, or your best estimate if mid-year

Enter 0 if you have no day job. Affects IRA deductibility and total 401(k) room.

An HDHP (high-deductible plan) unlocks HSA contributions — the only triple-tax-advantaged account

Traditional IRA, SEP-IRA, or SIMPLE IRA balances. Affects backdoor Roth eligibility.

We never store your inputs. All calculations happen on our server.

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Your 2026 retirement plan

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Solo 401(k) Tax Savings in California

California's 9.3% state income tax rate means every dollar you contribute to your Solo 401(k) saves you at both the federal and state level. On a $42,000 contribution, that's roughly $3,906 in California state taxes alone — on top of your federal savings.

At 9.3% California income tax plus 22% federal, a $42,000 Solo 401(k) contribution saves approximately $13,146 in combined taxes — $9,240 federal and $3,906 state. That's a 31.3% combined tax savings rate on every dollar contributed.

How to open a Solo 401(k) as a California freelancer

  1. Get an EIN — free at IRS.gov, takes 5 minutes. Required even as a sole proprietor.
  2. Choose a provider — Fidelity, Schwab, and Vanguard offer free Solo 401(k) plans with no annual fees.
  3. Open by December 31 — the account must exist before year-end for contributions to count for that tax year.
  4. Fund by your filing deadline — April 15, 2027, or October 15 with an extension.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can a self-employed California resident contribute in 2026?

The 2026 Solo 401(k) limit is $70,000 ($77,500 with catch-up for those 50+). Your exact maximum depends on your net self-employment income after the SE tax deduction. Use the calculator above for your specific number.

Does California tax Solo 401(k) contributions?

California follows the federal treatment. Traditional (pre-tax) contributions reduce your California taxable income at the 9.3% state rate, providing savings at both the federal and state level.

Solo 401(k) vs. SEP-IRA — which is better for California freelancers?

For most California self-employed professionals earning under $280,000, a Solo 401(k) allows larger contributions than a SEP-IRA — especially at income under $120,000. Both receive the same California state tax treatment on contributions.

When is the Solo 401(k) deadline for California residents?

The account must be open by December 31, 2026. Employee deferrals are elected by year-end. Employer contributions can be made up to your tax filing deadline — April 15, 2027, or October 15 with an extension.

Solo 401(k) guides by state

All states →NevadaArizonaOregon

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