Ohio charges 2.75% flat + local state income tax plus local taxes in some areas. Use the freelance tax calculator pre-loaded with Ohio rates.
Open Freelance Tax Calculator →Freelancing in Ohio means stacking a flat 2.75% state income tax on top of the 15.3% self-employment tax and federal income tax. Certain Ohio 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 Ohio's state tax and the deductible half of SE tax to give you an accurate picture.
Ohio levies a flat 2.75% state income tax on all taxable income regardless of how much you earn. This makes tax planning straightforward: for every additional dollar you earn, 2.75 cents goes to Ohio. However, certain localities in Ohio impose their own income taxes, which effectively raise the combined state and local rate above 2.75%. 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 Ohio, accounting for federal tax, FICA, and Ohio's flat 2.75% state tax plus estimated local taxes.
See how Ohio compares to other Midwest states. Each link takes you to the freelance tax calculator landing page for that state.
For a comprehensive breakdown of Ohio’s tax structure, salary comparisons, cost-of-living analysis, and more, visit the full Ohio take-home pay page.