Self-employed? Shelter more.
Enter your freelance income and see, side by side, the most you can stash in a SEP-IRA versus a Solo 401(k) for 2026.
Two accounts. One winner.
Enter your net freelance income and your age, and see the maximum 2026 contribution for each account side by side.
SEP-IRA VS SOLO 401(K) · 2026
$0
Head-to-head against the cap
Each account's maximum measured against the 2026 annual-additions ceiling.
SEP-IRA$0
Solo 401(k)$0
$0$72,000 ceiling
How the math works
- Net self-employment income
- —
- Less half of SE tax
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- SEP-IRA rate (sole proprietor)
- 20%
- SEP-IRA max
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- Solo 401(k) elective deferral
- —
- Solo 401(k) employer share (20%)
- —
- 2026 total cap for your age
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