2023 Form 1040-SS - Self-Employment Tax Return
The 2023 Form 1040-SS is a U.S. Self-Employment Tax Return used to report net earnings from self-employment to the United States and, if necessary, pay Self-Employment (SE) tax on that income. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you understand and complete the form:
Who needs to file Form 1040-SS?
You must file Form 1040-SS if you are self-employed and have net earnings from self-employment of $400 or more. This includes:
- Sole proprietors
- Independent contractors
- Freelancers
- Partners in a partnership
- Members of a limited liability company (LLC) that is treated as a partnership
What is Self-Employment Tax?
Self-Employment Tax is a tax on your net earnings from self-employment. It is used to fund Social Security and Medicare. As a self-employed individual, you are responsible for paying both the employee and employer portions of these taxes, which is a total of 15.3% of your net earnings from self-employment.
How to complete Form 1040-SS
Here's a step-by-step guide to completing Form 1040-SS:
- Identify your business: Enter your business name, address, and Employer Identification Number (EIN) on the top of the form.
- Calculate your net earnings from self-employment: Complete Schedule C (Form 1040) to calculate your net profit or loss from your business. This amount will be reported on Line 12 of Form 1040-SS.
- Calculate your Self-Employment Tax: Multiply your net earnings from self-employment by 15.3% (12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare). This amount will be reported on Line 13 of Form 1040-SS.
- Report your Self-Employment Tax: Enter the total Self-Employment Tax on Line 14 of Form 1040-SS.
- Claim any deductions: You may be eligible to deduct half of your Self-Employment Tax as a business expense on Schedule C. You can also claim a deduction for the employer-equivalent portion of your Self-Employment Tax on Line 15 of Form 1040-SS.
- Sign and date the form: Sign and date the form in the designated areas.
When to file Form 1040-SS
The deadline to file Form 1040-SS is April 15th of each year, unless you file for an extension. You can e-file or mail the form to the IRS.
Penalties for not filing or paying Self-Employment Tax
If you fail to file Form 1040-SS or pay your Self-Employment Tax, you may be subject to penalties and interest. The IRS can charge a penalty of 5% of the unpaid taxes for each month or part of a month, up to a maximum of 25%.
For the current year's Form 1040-SS, click here.