Hi Team,
Thank you for this opportunity!
I am doing some research on questions regarding "independent contractors" in order further my understanding on taxes.
Can you share the guidelines of when an independent contractor is required to make quarterly estimated payments and to whom?
Thanks.
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For SE self employment tax - if you have a net profit (after expenses) of $400 or more you will pay 15.3% SE Tax on 92.35% of your net profit in addition to your regular income tax on it. So if you have other income like W2 income your extra business income might put you into a higher tax bracket.
You must make quarterly estimated tax payments for the current tax year if both of the following apply:
- 1. You expect to owe at least $1,000 in tax for the current tax year, after subtracting your withholding and credits.
- 2. You expect your withholding and credits to be less than the smaller of:
90% of the tax to be shown on your current year’s tax return, or
100% of the tax shown on your prior year’s tax return. (Your prior year tax return must cover all 12 months.)
The 1040ES quarterly estimates are due April 15, June 17, Sept 16 and Jan 15, 2025. Your state will also have their own estimate forms.
How to make the Estimated payments
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-payments/help/how-do-i-make-estimated-tax-payments/00/25875
Here are the blank Estimates and instructions…..
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040es.pdf
Or you can pay on the IRS website. Be sure to pick 2024 1040ES payment
https://www.irs.gov/payments
Almost ALWAYS you are required to make Estimated Tax Payments, unless there is no activity (and it will remain that way), or you are dead-certain that you will be operating at a loss. But the general approach is, when in doubt, make Reasonable Estimated Tax payments rather than taking a gamble.
I will strongly encourage you to either secure a Financial Software to track your Income and Expenses or hire a Tax Accountant, in this way you can almost in REAL TIME assess your level of Estimated Payment Required. In addition, it will make your life WAY EASIER if you have those Financial Statements Ready (Income Statement and Balance Sheet, if applicable) once tax season arrives. I assure you that you will avoid lots of pain and aggravation, otherwise. :).
Also, proper Financial Statements are very helpful in securing Bank Business Loans.
In general, The Estimated Tax Payments should be about 15.3% of your Self-Employment Earnings, but there is more !
Should you actually overpay your taxes, you will get a refund, however, should you underpay your taxes, in addition to the money that you already owe, you will be hit with penalties and interests.
You can have a more accurate calculation of your Tax Liability using a Tax Calculator where you can input the other circumstances surrounding your next year tax filing obligations.
Tax Calculator 2023
Lastly, below are the Estimated Taxes Deadlines:
1. April 15th
2. June 15th
3. September 15th
4. January 15th
When to Pay Estimated Tax
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