Making a SEP account contribution is not affecting my total tax owed.

[Anonymous]

If I put 0 or the maximum allowable, my federal tax due is not changing. Why would this be?

[ChristinaS · Accepted solution]

The SEP deduction lowers yours Adjusted Gross Income. However, the SEP deduction does not lower your net income from self-employment on Schedule C. As a result, it does not reduce your self-employment tax of c 15%.

If the contribution is not reducing your tax liability at all, that means your "regular" tax rate is already 0%. You owe self-employment tax on your net income even if your "regular tax" is $0.

You might want to look at your 1040- pay close attention to the amounts on lines 56 (regular net tax) and 57 (SE tax).

• My Account (up top)
• Tools
• View Tax Summary
• Preview 1040