One source of revenue that you can anticipate and prepare for is taxes. When the time comes to pay your taxes, you always know how much they will cost. These expenses do, however, vary annually. The amount you will be required to pay back to the government depends on your salary and inflation.
The total amount of your tax is fixed, but the amount of self-employment tax paid and the permitted payroll deductions vary from taxpayer to taxpayer.
What does self-employment tax entail?
For people who operate as freelancers or gig workers, the self-employment tax includes Medicare and Social Security taxes. Even if they also earn a living from a normal full-time work, these people are nonetheless regarded as self-employed. The net income is taxable as self-employment. Self-employed people must self-report their income to the IRS using a Schedule SE tax form.
Rates of “SE” Taxes
What is the rate of self-employment tax then? In the US, the self-employment tax rate is now 15.3%. In the US, the rate is divided into two separate taxes: Social Security, at 12.4%, and Medicare, at 2.9%. Half of these taxes are covered by FICA tax, which an employee is only obligated to pay (7.65%), and the other half is covered by their employer if they work full-time for an employer. Self-employed people and independent contractors, however, are obligated to pay taxes at the 15.3% rate without the help of an employer. However, you can deduct 50% of your self-employment tax.
Who is liable for SE tax?
If you earn $400 or more while working as an independent contractor, you must pay self-employment tax. Church employees that make almost $108.28 fall into the “SE” tax bracket as well. If you are involved in multiple business ventures, your aggregate earnings from these ventures may potentially subject you to self-employment tax.
Self-Employment Tax Filing
You may determine exactly how much self-employment tax you must pay and how much you are contributing to social security by calculating it. You make estimated tax payments. Estimate your self-employment tax (SE tax) on Schedule SE (Form 1040 or 1040-SR) and pay it along with your federal income tax and any other amounts due on Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals, to find out the self-employment tax rate. Calculate your SE tax using the Flyfin online 1099 tax calculator, then complete Schedule SE. You can be required to pay the penalty for underpaying estimated tax if you are required to file Schedule SE and Form 1040 but don’t pay all the tax you owe through withholding or anticipated tax payments.
Are quarterly taxes available to you as a freelancer?
Yes. You expect to owe more than $1,000 after tax credits and withholding deductions, at which point you must pay quarterly taxes. When your estimated tax credits and withholding will be less than: 1. 90% of what you anticipate owing in taxes for the current tax year 2. 90% of your anticipated quarterly tax liability, you are also liable for quarterly taxes. The preceding year’s taxable income, assuming it encompasses the complete calendar year.
For some good news, you can take tax credits, like the child tax credit 2022, to help lower your income that’s taxed.
Summary
Being your own boss is fantastic. But it’s crucial to observe the tax requirements that must be followed. In any other case, the IRS may audit you.
