Q. Is the only way to pay social security tax and medicare tax is to file as self-employment in schedule C?
A. It's not the only way, it's the easiest way.
Q. Do they need to have a company in order to file as self-employment?
A. No. Schedule C is a very common things, for individuals, in today's "gig economy".
Q. Are there any tax forms (like W-2) needed to file as self-employment?
A. No, She reports the income from her own records.
Q. Is there a way to pay SS tax and Medicare tax, if they file as "other income without W-2"?
A. Yes. You can pay the "nanny tax" by filing Schedule H with your return and issuing her a W-2.
@macuser_22 Poster indicated earlier that his Mom wants to build up credits to qualify for Medicare
