So i am self employed and my federal deductions and exemptions are higher then my income, yet it states that i will not receive a refund. why is this?

[jerry2000]

Did you make estimated tax payments?

[ChristinaS · Accepted solution]

You can only receive a refund if:

-Your tax payments (estimated taxes, withholding through a job, and/or refundable tax credits such as the Earned Income Credit) exceed your tax liability

If you are self-employed, your tax liability will also include the Self-Employment tax if you have a net income from business of just $400 or more.

You can owe SE tax even if your income tax is $0 due to exemptions and deductions. These things do not offset SE tax.