As more and more people make the decision to become self-employed or independent contractors, many dont recognize exactly what is required from the IRS as far as taxes owed or even the benefits of being your own boss. Here are a few key points to know about self-employment and self-employment taxes from your Professional Tax Practitioners at NLTR: 1.Self-employment can include work in addition to your regular full-time business activities, such as part-time work you do at home or in addition to your regular job. 2.If you are self-employed you generally have to pay self-employment tax as well as income tax. Self-employment tax is a Social Security and Medicare tax primarily for individuals who work for themselves. It is similar to the Social Security and Medicare taxes withheld from the pay of most wage earners. You figure self-employment tax using a Form 1040 Schedule SE. Also, you can deduct half of your self-employment tax in figuring your adjusted gross income. 3.You file an IRS Schedule C, Profit or Loss from Business, or C-EZ, Net Profit from Business, with your Form 1040. 4.If you are self-employed you may have to make estimated tax payments. This applies even if you also have a full-time or part-time job and your employer withholds taxes from your wages. Estimated tax is the method used to pay tax on income that is not subject to withholding. If you fail to make quarterly payments you may be penalized for underpayment at the end of the tax year. 5.You can deduct the costs of running your business. These costs are known as business expenses. These are costs you do not have to capitalize or include in the cost of goods sold but can deduct in the current year. 6.To be deductible, a business expense must be both ordinary and necessary. An ordinary expense is one that is common and accepted in your field of business. A necessary expense is one that is helpful and appropriate for your business. An expense does not have to be indispensable to be considered necessary. At NLTR we can help you with calculating your business expenses and deducting these from your tax liability. We welcome self-employed taxpayers and strive to provide the biggest refund guaranteed!
Posted on: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 21:52:25 +0000
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