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Level 3
February 21, 2021
Question

Line 12 on Schedule SE

  • February 21, 2021
  • 8 replies
  • 72 views

Hello, 

this may sound very ignorant, but I just noticed line 12 on Schedule SE: 

"Self-employment tax. Add lines 10 and 11. Enter here and on Schedule 2 (Form 1040), line 4 ."


What is Schedule 2 and do I need to file it if I'm filing jointly for 2020 taxes?  I started freelancing in 2019 and didn't file this Schedule last year. Should I be worried and what is this schedule used for? 

 

Thanks in advance for anyone who responds to my message. 

 

🤗

    8 replies

    VolvoGirl
    Level 15
    February 21, 2021

    Yes it just one of the detail schedules that go to the 1040 instead of going directly to the 1040.  

    https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040s2.pdf 

     

    It was on 2019 also.  Did you have a Net Profit on Schedule C last year?  You only pay self employment tax on a Net Profit of $433 or more.  Maybe you had a loss last Year?

    https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1040s2--2019.pdf 

     

    rogo2020Author
    Level 3
    February 22, 2021

    Yikes, this is a form which I didn't complete last year and therefore didn't file it with my Schedule C or SE. 

    What should I do? 

    Level 15
    February 21, 2021

    That is your self employment tax. TurboTax handles this automatically generating the schedule and putting the amounts in the right places. 

    rogo2020Author
    Level 3
    February 22, 2021

    what exactly does this form do being that I'm already filing Schedule SE and Schedule C? 

     

    VolvoGirl
    Level 15
    February 22, 2021

    The 3 new schedules collect info from other forms and total them so there is less info to list on the 1040.  The IRS is changing the line numbers every year now and adding new forms and schedules etc.  Did you have a profit on Schedule C last year?  If you didn't have Schedule 2 you didn't pay any self employment tax on Schedule SE.

    VolvoGirl
    Level 15
    February 21, 2021

    I see you had several questions last year when you started freelancing.  Did you get your return including Schedule C filed ok?  Did you make the 4 quarterly estimated payments to cover this year's self employment tax?  Do you need to know where to enter them?

     

    To enter Federal or State Estimated Taxes Paid, including a state estimated payment made in January for the prior year, go to

    Federal on left or at top.  Personal (Home & Business)

    Deductions and Credits at top

    Then scroll way down to Estimates and Other Taxes Paid

    Estimated Taxes - click the start button

     

    For 2020 Federal Estimated payments should be on 1040 line 26.

    rogo2020Author
    Level 3
    February 22, 2021

    Thanks for the response. Yes, I had several questions last year (LOL). I did file Schedule C and paid a lump sum at the end of the year--I was told by an accountant that because I file jointly and we have several properties, and my husband who's a W2 worker had Income tax withheld (Line 13 on the Estimated Tax Worksheet) that I don't owe taxes (which I suppose we'll get reimbursed for) . Could that be true or are the Estimated income tax and estimated to be withheld line (again, line 13) only apply to me (a freelancer).  I suppose I get confused with figuring out if I should enter information on these forms for myself or because of the fact that we file jointly, do I enter information based for my spouse and I.