For independent consultants earning $100K+
You left the firm. Your 401(k) match and tax withholding didn't come with you.
Gigaverse helps independent consultants rebuild both: know your $72,000 Solo 401(k) ceiling, decide on an S-corp with real numbers, and pay quarterly taxes without guessing.
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On Android? Get the app on Google PlayKnow your 2026 retirement max
A Solo 401(k) lets a one-person consultancy save up to $72,000 in 2026. On $150,000 of profit that is about $52,381, nearly double a SEP IRA.
Run your numberDecide on an S-corp with real numbers
An S-corp can trim payroll tax, but the salary you choose also sets your 401(k) room. See the trade-off at $150K, $250K and $400K.
Read the guidePay quarterly taxes without guessing
Gigaverse estimates each quarterly payment from what you actually billed and spent, so April is not a surprise.
Estimate this quarterAsk an AI money coach
Plain-English answers about deductions, estimated taxes and retirement accounts, using your own numbers. Educational, not personalized advice.
Get the appQuestions consultants ask
What is the best retirement plan for an independent consultant?
For most one-person consulting businesses it is a Solo 401(k) or a SEP IRA. Both allow up to $72,000 in 2026. A Solo 401(k) adds a $24,500 employee deferral on top of the employer contribution, so below about $250,000 of profit it usually lets you save more. On $150,000 of profit that is about $52,381 in a Solo 401(k) versus $27,881 in a SEP IRA.
Should a consultant earning $150,000 elect S-corp status?
Often it saves several thousand dollars a year in payroll tax, but it also shrinks how much you can put in a Solo 401(k) unless you pay yourself a high salary, and it adds payroll and an extra tax return. Our guide runs the numbers at $150K, $250K and $400K.
Do consultants have to pay quarterly estimated taxes?
Yes, if you expect to owe $1,000 or more for the year. For 2026 income the federal due dates are April 15, June 15 and September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027. Gigaverse estimates each payment from what you actually earned.
Can I contribute to a Solo 401(k) if I also have a W-2 job?
Yes. The $24,500 employee deferral is shared across every 401(k) you use, but the employer contribution in your Solo 401(k) is separate. At 50 and over you can add a $8,000 catch-up.
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More: consultant guide · Solo 401(k) for high earners · Solo 401(k) vs SEP IRA
Figures use 2026 IRS limits (Notice 2025-67, Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and are simplified estimates for a sole proprietor. Educational information only, not tax, legal or investment advice. Gigaverse AI, Inc. is not a bank and is not itself a registered investment adviser or broker-dealer.