GLOSSARY · TAX & ESTATE

Self-employment tax

The Social Security and Medicare tax that self-employed people pay on their net earnings, covering both the employee and the employer share. It applies to 92.35% of net profit at a combined 15.3%, with the Social Security part capped at a yearly wage base shared with any wages. Half of it can be deducted when working out income tax.

Also called: SE tax, SECA tax, Schedule SE tax, Social Security and Medicare tax for the self-employed, 1099 tax, Schedule SE
FORMULA
Self-employment tax ≈ net profit × 92.35% × 15.3% (Social Security part only up to the wage base)
COMPUTE IT WITH YOUR NUMBERS
Side hustle take-home and years-sooner-to-FI →What does my side hustle really pay per hour after tax, and how much faster does it get me to FI?1099 vs W-2 comparison →Is a 1099 contract at $X better than a W-2 salary at $Y?Quarterly estimated tax & safe harbor →How much estimated tax per quarter to avoid a penalty?Solo 401(k) contribution →How much can I put into a solo 401(k) this year?
LEARN IT PROPERLY
CHAPTER · TAX PLANNING FUNDAMENTALS · FOUNDATIONSTaxes on Side Income and Multiple Income StreamsCHAPTER · TAX PLANNING FUNDAMENTALS · FOUNDATIONSWithholding and Quarterly Estimated Taxes
RELATED TERMS
Estimated tax paymentsMarginal tax rateEstimated tax safe harborHome office deduction
SOURCES
All terms →The Library →