Filing
Employer Identification Number
An Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as a federal tax identification number, is used to identify tax reports to the IRS.
An Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as a federal tax identification number, is used to identify tax reports to the IRS.
Business Taxes
The form of business you operate determines what taxes you must pay and how you pay them.
The form of business you operate determines what taxes you must pay and how you pay them.
Estimated TaxesFederal income tax is a pay-as-you-go tax. You must pay the tax as you earn or receive income during the year. There are two ways to pay as you go: withholding and estimated taxes.
Employment Taxes for Small Businesses
If you have employees, you are responsible for several federal, state, and local taxes. As an employer, you must withhold Federal income tax withholding, social security and Medicare taxes, and Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) taxes.
If you have employees, you are responsible for several federal, state, and local taxes. As an employer, you must withhold Federal income tax withholding, social security and Medicare taxes, and Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) taxes.
Self-Employment Taxes
The self-employment tax is a social security and Medicare tax for individuals who work for themselves.
The self-employment tax is a social security and Medicare tax for individuals who work for themselves.
Reporting Information Returns
Your business may be required to file information returns to report certain types of payments made during the year.
Your business may be required to file information returns to report certain types of payments made during the year.
e-File Form 940, 941 or 944 for Small BusinessesLearn your options for e-filing form 940, 941 or 944 for Small Businesses.
Filing Past Due Tax Returns
Before you decide not to file your tax return on time or not pay all of your taxes when they are due, consider this.
Before you decide not to file your tax return on time or not pay all of your taxes when they are due, consider this.
Reporting Payments to Independent Contractors
If you pay independent contractors, you may have to file Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, to report payments for services performed for your trade or business.
If you pay independent contractors, you may have to file Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, to report payments for services performed for your trade or business.
It should be noted that anytime self-employment tax is mentioned, it only refers to Social Security and Medicare taxes and does not include any other taxes that self-employed individuals may be required to file. The list of items below should not be construed as all-inclusive. Other information may be appropriate for your specific type of business.
What is Self-Employment Tax?
Self-employment tax is a tax consisting of Social Security and Medicare taxes primarily for individuals who work for themselves. It is similar to the Social Security and Medicare taxes withheld from the pay of most wage earners.
You figure self-employment tax (SE tax) yourself using Schedule SE (Form 1040). Social Security and Medicare taxes of most wage earners are figured by their employers. Also you can deduct the employer-equivalent portion your SE tax in figuring your adjusted gross income. Wage earners cannot deduct Social Security and Medicare taxes.
Self-Employment Tax Rate
The 2010 Tax Relief Act reduced the self-employment tax by 2% for self-employment income earned in calendar year 2011. The self-employment tax rate for self-employment income earned in calendar year 2011 is 13.3% (10.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare). The Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 extended the self-employment tax reduction of 2% for calendar year 2012 so the rates for 2011 remain in effect for 2012. For self-employment income earned in 2013, the self-employment tax rate is 15.3%. The rate consists of two parts: 12.4% for social security (old-age, survivors, and disability insurance) and 2.9% for Medicare (hospital insurance).
For both 2010 and 2011, the first $106,800 of your combined wages, tips, and net earnings are subject to any combination of the Social Security part of self-employment tax, Social Security tax, or railroad retirement (tier 1) tax. Income you make after $106,800 will not be subject to the Social Security tax.
All your combined wages, tips, and net earnings in the current year are subject to any combination of the 2.9% Medicare part of Self-Employment tax, Social Security tax, or railroad retirement (tier 1) tax.
If your wages and tips are subject to either Social Security or railroad retirement (tier 1) tax, or both, and total at least $106,800, do not pay the Social Security part of the self-employment tax on any of your net earnings. However, you must pay the 2.9% Medicare part of the self-employment tax on all your net earnings.
If you use a tax year other than the calendar year, you must use the tax rate and maximum earnings limit in effect at the beginning of your tax year. Even if the tax rate or maximum earnings limit changes during your tax year, continue to use the same rate and limit throughout your tax year.
Self-Employment Tax Deduction
You can deduct the employer-equivalent portion of your self-employment tax in figuring your adjusted gross income. This deduction only affects your income tax. It does not affect either your net earnings from self-employment or your self-employment tax.
If you file a Form 1040 Schedule C, you may be eligible to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Learn more about EITC, or use the EITC Assistant to find out if you are eligible.
Self-Employment Health Insurance Tax Deduction
Under Section 2042 of the Small Business Jobs Act, a deduction, for income tax purposes, is allowed to self-employed individuals for the cost of health insurance. This deduction is taken into account in calculating net earnings from self-employment. See the Form 1040 and Schedule SE instructions for calculating and claiming the deduction.
Who Must Pay Self-Employment Tax?
You must pay self-employment tax and file Schedule SE (Form 1040) if either of the following applies.
- Your net earnings from self-employment (excluding church employee income) were $400 or more.
- You had church employee income of $108.28 or more.
Generally, your net earnings from self-employment are subject to self-employment tax. If you are self-employed as a sole proprietor or independent contractor, you generally use Schedule C or C-EZ to figure net earnings from self-employment.
If you have earnings subject to self-employment tax, use Schedule SE to figure your net earnings from self-employment. Before you figure your net earnings, you generally need to figure your total earnings subject to self-employment tax.
Note: The self-employment tax rules apply no matter how old you are and even if you are already receiving Social Security or Medicare.
Family Caregivers and Self-Employment Tax
Special rules apply to workers who perform in-home services for elderly or disabled individuals (caregivers). Caregivers are typically employees of the individuals for whom they provide services because they work in the homes of the elderly or disabled individuals and these individuals have the right to tell the caregivers what needs to be done. See the Family Caregivers and Self-Employment Tax page and Publication 926 for more details.
How to Pay Self-Employment Tax
To pay self-employment tax, you must have a Social Security number (SSN) or an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN).
Obtaining a Social Security Number
If you never had an SSN, apply for one using Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card. You can get this form at any Social Security office or by calling (800) 772-1213. Download the form from the Social Security Number and Card Web site.
Obtaining an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
The IRS will issue you an ITIN if you are a nonresident or resident alien and you do not have and are not eligible to get an SSN. To apply for an ITIN, file Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
Paying Self-Employment Tax with Estimated Taxes
As a self-employed individual, you may have to file Estimated Taxes quarterly. You can use these estimated tax payments to pay your self-employment tax. Refer to the Estimated Taxes page andPublication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax for more details on paying your self-employment tax with Estimated taxes.
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