Understanding the Self-Employment Tax in the U.S.

If you’re self-employed in the U.S., you are responsible for paying self-employment tax (SE tax) in addition to income tax. This tax covers your contributions to Social Security and Medicare, just like payroll taxes do for traditional employees. Here’s what you need to know.

1. What is Self-Employment Tax?

Self-employment tax consists of:

• 12.4% for Social Security (on income up to $168,600 for 2024)

• 2.9% for Medicare (on all self-employment income)

• Additional 0.9% Medicare tax (on income above $200,000 for single filers or $250,000 for married couples)

Total SE tax: 15.3% of net self-employment income.

2. Who Needs to Pay Self-Employment Tax?

You must pay SE tax if:

• Your net earnings from self-employment are $400 or more.

• You work as a freelancer, contractor, gig worker, or small business owner.

• You have partnership income from a business.

3. How to Calculate and Pay Self-Employment Tax

Step 1: Determine Your Net Earnings

• Use Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business) to calculate your business income minus expenses.

Step 2: Apply the Self-Employment Tax Rate

• Multiply your net earnings by 92.35% (to adjust for the deductible employer portion).

• Multiply the result by 15.3% to get your SE tax amount.

Step 3: Pay Taxes Quarterly

• Self-employed individuals must pay estimated taxes quarterly (April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15).

• Use Form 1040-ES to calculate and submit payments.

4. How to Reduce Your Self-Employment Tax

• Deduct half of the SE tax on your tax return.

• Set up an LLC and elect S-Corp status to reduce SE tax liability.

• Maximize business deductions (home office, equipment, internet, retirement contributions, etc.).

5. What Happens If You Don’t Pay?

• You could face IRS penalties and interest on unpaid taxes.

• The IRS may seize assets or garnish wages if taxes remain unpaid.

• Your future Social Security benefits may be affected.

By understanding and planning for self-employment taxes, you can avoid penalties and manage your finances effectively.
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InterCommunications

Inter (NASDAQ: INTR) is the pioneer financial super app serving over 37.7 million consumers across the Americas. The Inter&Co ecosystem offers a broad array of services, including banking, investments, mortgages, credit, gift cards, and cross-border tools. The super app also boasts a dynamic marketplace, linking consumers with shopping discounts, cashback rewards, and exclusive access to marquee events across the globe. The company is expanding rapidly in the United States, as evidenced by its naming rights sponsorship of the Inter&Co Stadium that hosts soccer teams “Orlando City” and “Orlando Pride”. Focused on innovation and captivating member experiences, Inter&Co delivers comprehensive financial and lifestyle solutions to meet the evolving needs of modern consumers.

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INTER & CO PAYMENTS, INC., doing business as Inter (“Inter”), is a financial technology company, a registered money services business (MSB) and a licensed money transmitter, not a bank (NMLS ID #907330). Massachusetts Foreign Transmittal Agency (License #FT114374-100). Rhode Island Currency Transmitter (License # 20203960CT). Click here to access our NMLS licenses.

Banking services are provided by Community Federal Savings Bank (“CFSB”), Member FDIC and deposits are held by CFSB and Wells Fargo Bank, Members FDIC. Inter is not a depository institution, deposits held at CFSB and Wells Fargo are not eligible for FDIC insurance.

The Inter US Checking account is provided by Continental Bank, Member FDIC. Inter US Checking accounts are FDIC-insured up to US$250,000. Inter US Checking account funds are eligible for FDIC insurance up to the allowable limit through Continental Bank, Member FDIC, and other program banks. Coverage is subject to aggregation of all of each account holder's funds held on deposit at Continental Bank or at each of its program banks. Funds generated through Inter's payment processing services are generally available in the Inter US Checking account balance immediately after a payment is processed. Fund availability times may vary due to technical issues. Inter is not a bank. Inter US Checking accounts do not provide monthly paper statements and do not issue physical paper checks. Inter US Checking accounts are not interest-bearing accounts.

FDIC deposit insurance coverage only protects against the failure of an FDIC-insured deposit institution. If you have an Inter US Checking account, up to US$250,000 of your balance may be covered by FDIC insurance on a pass through basis through Continental Bank, Member FDIC, subject to aggregation of the account holder's funds held at Continental Bank and if certain conditions have been met.

Please see your account information to know where your account is maintained. Inter US Checking accounts at Continental Bank are only available for US residents, upon informing a Social Security or Individual Taxpayer Identification number.

For more information regarding your Inter Account, view the Inter Account Agreement at https://us.inter.co/compliance?interandco-account-agreement .

For more information regarding your Inter US Checking account, view the Inter US Checking Account Agreement at https://us.inter.co/compliance?inter-us-checking-account-agreement .

For more information regarding FDIC insurance, please visit the FDIC website at https://www.fdic.gov/resources/deposit-insurance .

To provide you with the Inter Account and the Inter US Checking account, we share your information with CFSB and Continental. View the CFSB Privacy Notice here and the Continental Privacy Notice here for details.

Mortgage services are provided by Inter US Finance, LLC (NMLS ID #1161874), an affiliate of Inter & Co Payments, Inc.

Securities brokerage services are provided by Inter&Co Securities LLC, Member FINRA/ SIPC , an affiliate of Inter & Co Payments, Inc. and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Inter&Co US Holding. View important information and disclosures here .

If you have any questions or concerns regarding any transaction, please write to us at 501 Brickell Key Drive, Suite 202, Miami, FL 33131, or by email at help@inter.co or by calling us at 1-888-305-7264 .

THIS NEXT SECTION IS APPLICABLE FOR US RESIDENTS ONLY. IF YOU ARE NOT A RESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PLEASE DISREGARD THIS SECTION.

The Inter US Mastercard® Credit Card is issued by Continental Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated and may be used wherever Mastercard debit is accepted. The Inter US Mastercard® Credit Card is issued by Continental Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated, and may be used wherever Mastercard is accepted. For more information about the Inter US Mastercard credit and debit cards please see the applicable cardholder agreements here .

THIS NEXT SECTION IS APPLICABLE FOR NON-US RESIDENTS ONLY. IF YOU ARE A RESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PLEASE DISREGARD THIS SECTION.

The Inter Mastercard® International Debit Card (“Global Card”) is issued by the international branch of Banco Inter S.A. in the Cayman Islands, authorized to operate as a category “B” banking institution by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority – CIMA (“Cayman Branch”), pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated, linked to a US dollar checking account in the Cayman Islands maintained by the Cayman Branch (“Cayman Account”). For more information about the Cayman Account and the Global Card offered by the Cayman Branch, see the Cayman Account and Global Card Agreement, available here .

The Inter Mastercard® International Credit Card (“Global Credit Card”) is issued by the Cayman Branch, pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated. For more information about the Global Credit Card offered by the Cayman Branch, see the Global Credit Card Agreement, available here .

The Cayman Account, Global Card and Global Credit Card are offered by the international branch of Banco Inter S.A. in the Cayman Islands, an affiliate of Inter, and are not features of the Global Account nor are they offered by Inter & Co Payments, Inc. The Cayman Account, Global Card and Global Credit Card are not available for U.S. customers.

The Cayman Branch will gather your information in order to offer you the Cayman Account, the Global Card and the Global Credit Card. Personal data will be subject to the Data Protection Act of the Cayman Islands, as well as the General Data Protection Law. To learn more about how we protect your personal data, see our Privacy Policy, available at https://inter.co/politica-de-privacidade/ .

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