It doesn't matter when you start or for how long. I doubt most people start on Jan 1. Will she be self employed continuing in 2018? Doesn't sound like it. Yes it will be the same as for anyone else. Does she know ahead of time how much she will make? She can pay a 4th quarter estimated payment. We've been recommending sending in 20% of the SE income to cover the SE tax. Or just wait until you file your tax return due in April. But then you might owe a bunch.
For SE self employment tax - if you have a net profit (after expenses) of $400 or more you will pay 15.3% SE Tax on 92.35% of your net profit in addition to your regular income tax on it. So if you have other income like W2 income your extra business income might put you into a higher tax bracket.
You must make quarterly estimated tax payments for the current tax year if both of the following apply:
- 1. You expect to owe at least $1,000 in tax for the current tax year, after subtracting your withholding and credits.
- 2. You expect your withholding and credits to be less than the smaller of:
90% of the tax to be shown on your current year’s tax return, or
100% of the tax shown on your prior year’s tax return. (Your prior year tax return must cover all 12 months.)
To prepare estimates for next year you start with your current return, (if you can't get back into your return try this, On the Tax Timeline page you have to select Add A State to get back into your return). But be careful not to change anything on your real return.
You can just type W4 in the search box at the top of your return , click on Find. Then Click on Jump To and it will take you to the estimated tax payments section. Say no to changing your W-4 and the next screen will start the estimated taxes section.
OR Go to….
Federal Taxes or Personal (Self Employed/H&B version)
Other Tax Situations
Other Tax Forms
Form W-4 and Estimated Taxes - Click the Start or Update button
Or here are the blank Estimates and instructions from the IRS…..
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040es.pdf The 1040ES quarterly estimates for 2017 are due April 18, June 15, Sept 15 and Jan 16, 2018. Your state will also have their own estimate forms. You mail in the estimates with a check or you can do it electronically at the IRS and maybe your state.
To pay the IRS electronically See
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Electronic-Payment-Options-Home-Page If you didn't owe or missed making the prior quarterly estimated payments and need to just calculate starting now, you can go though the Estimated Taxes section and just put $1 (one dollar) in for the quarters you missed. Then it will only figure the current and remaining quarters.
