self-employed tax (Public Board)
Is it true that some parts of the US have a self-employed tax?
by ,ndo, No refunds or exchanges! Fullstop!, Friday, October 02, 2026, 17:19 (27 days ago)
Is it true that some parts of the US have a self-employed tax?
by Cornpop Sutton
, A bad bad dude who makes good shine., Friday, October 02, 2026, 23:39 (27 days ago) @ ,ndo
Sort of. I was self employed for 25 years so I would know.
In the US, a portion of payroll taxes is called "FICA" taxes - essentially your share of social security payments (essentially a federalized retirement pension) plus Medicare contribution (toward the Medicare program, which is a default health insurance available to those 65 and older.)
The taxes on each wage earner are divided into an employer paid part and the earner's portion, both equal, which is 7.65%. So the total FICA burden on the wagie is 15.3%. But the wagie only sees the wage earner side of 7.65% deducted on their paycheck.
A self employed person must pay both sides of this FICA burden. Therefore as a self employed you pay the entire 15.3%.
Even though it seems simple it's just complex enough to trip up many unprepared normies who believe that they get to "keep everything" as a contractor.
by ,ndo, No refunds or exchanges! Fullstop!, Saturday, October 03, 2026, 18:17 (26 days ago) @ Cornpop Sutton
edited by ,ndo, Saturday, October 03, 2026, 18:21
Thank you both. That makes sense the way you explained it.
We have a Medicare levy of 2%. This is a tax. Our Medicare scheme is broader than yours. We have a superannuation contribution of 12%. This is not a tax, it is 12% of your gross income compulsorily paid by your employer into a superannuation fund of your choice. You can't withdraw from it until you retire. You can optionally pay more in at any time. The account itself is in your name and under your control.
by FSK, Saturday, October 03, 2026, 00:32 (27 days ago) @ ,ndo
If you work as an employee, the cost of some taxes are paid by the employer, but never show up on a bill or paycheck to the employee.
If you are self-employed, you have to pay both the employer and employee portion.
For example, Social Security and Medicare taxes are 7.5% paid by the employee and 7.5% paid by the employer. (That isn't the exact value. I'm using round numbers.) If you work as an employee, you only see 7.5% deducted from your paycheck. If you are self-employed, you have to pay the full 15% = 7.5% + 7.5%.
There are other taxes, like unemployment insurance, that you have to pay if self-employed.
