Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
Level 2
posted Dec 23, 2021 12:48:10 PM

If I tax-defer self-employment income to an Individual 401k account, are funds subject to self-employment tax when I withdraw them later, or to regular income tax only?

0 3 432
1 Best answer
Level 15
Dec 23, 2021 12:52:02 PM

No you can't do that that way.  You still need to file Schedule C for your self employment income and pay the self employment tax on it now.  

 

The 401K contribution is completely separate from it.   You can contribute to a 401K up to the amount of your Net Profit reduced by 1/2 of the SE tax OR to the max contribution allowed for a 401k whichever is Less.

3 Replies
Level 15
Dec 23, 2021 12:52:02 PM

No you can't do that that way.  You still need to file Schedule C for your self employment income and pay the self employment tax on it now.  

 

The 401K contribution is completely separate from it.   You can contribute to a 401K up to the amount of your Net Profit reduced by 1/2 of the SE tax OR to the max contribution allowed for a 401k whichever is Less.

Level 15
Dec 23, 2021 12:53:53 PM

So when you take it out you only pay regular income tax on it.   

Level 15
Dec 23, 2021 2:49:22 PM

Correct.