2020 SEP IRA contributions. Schedule C line 19 is not picking up the SEP IRA contribution to calculate the self-employment tax. After three days of asking: SEP-IRAs do not impact the calculation of the self-employment tax

[help31]

2020 SEP IRA contributions. SEP-IRAs do not impact the calculation of the self-employment tax, since that is calculated before SEP contributions are calculated. A self-employed person reduces income tax only by contributing to his or her own SEP-IRA.

[Mike9241 · Accepted solution]

line 19 is only for contributions made to your employees a/c's not yours. your SEP IRA contribution is reflected on schedule 1 line 15. it does not reduce your S.E. tax but does reduce your QBI income. 

[help31 · Accepted solution]

@Mike9241 It's been very confusing since I've read everywhere how SEP IRA will reduce income and self-employment taxes...but I guess it only reduces the self-employment tax if you contribute for another person not yourself - as sole proprietor of the SEP IRA.  I kept thinking it would be considered a business expense.  It did help reduce tax by decreasing overall income.  It helped go beyond the traditional IRA limit of 7000. Thanks for the clarification.  

"For a self-employed person contributing to their own SEP-IRA, contributions are deducted as an adjustment to income on Form 1040, line 10a, using Schedule 1. SEP contributions reduce a person's adjusted gross income, reduce taxable income, and thereby reduce the federal income tax. SEP-IRAs do not impact the calculation of the self-employment tax, since that is calculated before SEP contributions are calculated. A self-employed person reduces income tax only by contributing to his or her own SEP-IRA.."