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New Member
posted Jun 3, 2019 4:26:15 PM

Do you always deduct one half of the Self Employment tax when you calculate it? It doesn't seem like it's optional? And why wouldn't you? Just making sure I understand

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1 Best answer
Intuit Alumni
Jun 3, 2019 4:26:17 PM

Yes, half is treated the same as a W2 employee, and half is subtracted from Adjusted Gross Income, similar to an employer deducting the portion of FICA they paid for their employees. 

"Compute self-employment tax on  Form 1040, Schedule SE.pdf . When figuring your adjusted gross income on Form 1040, you can deduct one-half of the self-employment tax. You calculate this deduction on Schedule SE (attach  Form 1040, Schedule 1.pdf Additional Income and Adjustments to Income ). The  Social Security Administration  uses the information from Schedule SE to compute your benefits under the social security program."

https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc554

4 Replies
Intuit Alumni
Jun 3, 2019 4:26:17 PM

Yes, half is treated the same as a W2 employee, and half is subtracted from Adjusted Gross Income, similar to an employer deducting the portion of FICA they paid for their employees. 

"Compute self-employment tax on  Form 1040, Schedule SE.pdf . When figuring your adjusted gross income on Form 1040, you can deduct one-half of the self-employment tax. You calculate this deduction on Schedule SE (attach  Form 1040, Schedule 1.pdf Additional Income and Adjustments to Income ). The  Social Security Administration  uses the information from Schedule SE to compute your benefits under the social security program."

https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc554

New Member
Jun 3, 2019 4:26:19 PM

So last question, I think....The 50% is the tax I owe on my self employment.  Do I still have to pay Federal Income tax on that?  Is is SS and Medicare all I have to pay?  

Level 9
Jun 3, 2019 4:26:21 PM

You also have to pay federal and state income tax on your earnings from self-employment.

New Member
Jun 3, 2019 4:26:22 PM

OK, thank you!