Fern: Self-Employed Taxes

Fern is a tax-aware budgeting app for freelancers, 1099 contractors, and creators with irregular income.

NOT A GOVERNMENT APP: Fern is made by JPX Software Inc., a private company. Fern is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the IRS, the Social Security Administration, any state tax agency, or any other government entity, and it does not provide or facilitate any government service.

If you're self-employed, no one withholds your taxes. Every deposit that lands looks like money you can spend — until April says otherwise. Fern fixes that.

HOW IT WORKS

1. Connect your bank securely through Plaid.
2. Fern spots incoming deposits and asks you to confirm which ones are taxable income. Nothing is guessed — you decide, every time.
3. Fern sets aside a percentage of what you confirm into your tax bucket.
4. Your home screen shows one number: what's actually safe to spend.

A REAL ESTIMATE, NOT A RULE OF THUMB

Most advice says "save 30%" and leaves you guessing. Fern estimates your reserve rate from published tax figures (sources listed below):

• Self-employment tax — Social Security up to the wage base, Medicare, and the additional Medicare tax
• Federal income tax brackets for your filing status, after the standard deduction
• The qualified business income (QBI) deduction
• State income tax, from a per-state dataset covering all 50 states

You see the breakdown — how much is self-employment tax, how much is federal, how much is state — not a black box. And you always control the final percentage.

DEDUCTIONS THAT LOWER YOUR RESERVE

Fern flags likely business expenses — software subscriptions, professional services, travel. You confirm each one and set how much is deductible. Confirmed deductions lower your suggested reserve rate, and Fern shows you by how much.

ALSO INCLUDED

• Savings goals with realistic timelines based on your actual income pace
• An income forecast built from your deposit history
• Clear tracking of everything you've set aside

SOURCES OF TAX INFORMATION

Fern's estimates use figures published by these official government sources:
• Self-employment tax (IRS): https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/self-employment-tax-social-security-and-medicare-taxes
• Additional Medicare tax (IRS): https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc560
• Social Security wage base (SSA): https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/cbb.html
• 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32): https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-25-32.pdf
• QBI deduction (IRS): https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/qualified-business-income-deduction
• State income tax — each state's tax agency, linked from USA.gov: https://www.usa.gov/state-taxes

WHAT FERN IS NOT

Fern is a savings and budgeting tool — not tax advice, and not a tax preparer. It does not file your taxes, does not submit quarterly payments, and does not replace an accountant. The reserve estimate is exactly that: an estimate, to help you set money aside. Always check the official sources above or a tax professional for what you actually owe. Your money stays in your own bank account the entire time.

Built for people with lumpy income who are tired of being surprised.

SUBSCRIPTION

Fern Pro is an optional auto-renewing subscription: $12.99/month or $89.99/year, with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers eligible for an introductory offer. Pro adds a suggested reserve rate, the deduction finder, and two or more linked banks. Everything else is free.

If you start a free trial, payment is charged to your Google Play account when the trial ends. The subscription renews automatically at the same price unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in Google Play > Payments & subscriptions > Subscriptions.

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