NIL money is self-employment income: no taxes are withheld, and you owe self-employment tax on top of income tax. Enter your earnings and state to see your estimated take-home. Free, no account needed.
How it works
Real numbers, not a guess.
Enter your annual NIL earnings, your state, and your filing status. The calculator estimates federal income tax, your state's income tax, and self-employment tax (the 15.3% that trips up most first-year NIL athletes), then shows your take-home dollars and percentage.
Why it matters
NIL is 1099 income. Plan for it.
Because nothing is withheld, a lot of athletes spend money they'll owe back in April. Knowing your take-home percentage up front is the difference between a clean tax season and a surprise bill. Parents: this is the number to plan around.
The fine print
An estimate, not tax advice.
Figures use 2025 federal brackets and a simplified per-state rate. Your actual tax depends on deductions, other income, and your specific situation. Treat this as a planning benchmark and confirm with a tax professional.
Frequently asked questions
Do college athletes pay taxes on NIL money?
Yes. NIL income is taxable self-employment (1099) income. Nothing is withheld, so you're responsible for federal income tax, state income tax where applicable, and self-employment tax (15.3%).
What is self-employment tax on NIL?
Self-employment tax is 15.3% (12.4% Social Security up to an annual wage base, plus 2.9% Medicare) on your net NIL income. It's on top of income tax, and half of it is deductible from your federal taxable income.
Which states don't tax NIL income?
States with no personal income tax — Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, Wyoming, Tennessee, and New Hampshire — don't tax NIL earnings. You still owe federal and self-employment tax.
Is the NIL Tax Calculator free?
Yes — it's completely free and needs no account. It's an estimate for planning, not tax advice.