Back to blog

Taxes & income tax

How to calculate the contribution base for Social Security in 2026

SFSimple.fi Team12 October 20264 min read
Freelancer checking the Social Security Direct portal
Photo from a free public source (Unsplash, Pexels, Wikimedia Commons). To be swapped for a topic specific one.

Many freelancers confuse the contribution rate with the actual amount to be paid to Social Security. Discover how the relevant income determines your monthly burden.

What is relevant income

For independent workers providing services, the general contribution rate is 21.4%. However, this percentage does not apply to the total amount you receive from your clients.

The value on which the rate is applied is called relevant income. This value corresponds to 70% of the gross income obtained in the previous quarter.

How the monthly calculation works

  • Sum the total value of green receipts issued in the previous quarter.
  • Multiply that value by 70% to find the relevant income.
  • Divide that result by three to get the monthly relevant income.
  • Apply the 21.4% rate to that monthly value to know how much you will pay per month.
Practical example: If you invoice 3,000 euros in a quarter, your quarterly relevant income is 2,100 euros. Monthly, the contribution base will be 700 euros, resulting in a contribution of 149.80 euros.

The importance of the quarterly declaration

The quarterly declaration is the moment you report to Social Security the amounts you received. It is based on this information that the system calculates your contribution amount for the following three months.

Remember that payment must be made between the 10th and the 20th of each month. Keeping this calendar organized is essential to avoid fines and ensure your social protection.

This article is for information only and does not replace personalized tax or accounting advice. Rates, limits, and rules can change. Always check your situation with a certified accountant or the official bodies listed above.

Simple.fi tool · Social Security Calculator

Simplify your obligations

With Simple.fi, you can forecast your Social Security and IRS payments based on your actual income, avoiding surprises at the end of the quarter.

Get in touch