In: Accounting
In 2017 Michael has $90,000 in salary from his full-time job and net self-employment income of $40,000 from his sole proprietorship. What is his self-employment tax? How much of it can he deduct in arriving at his AGI? Show and label calculations.
Here, Michael is a sole proprietor and therefore he is required to pay Self Employment (SE)tax @15.3% of his net earnings(after available deduction) as it exceeds $400.
This 15.3% includes 12.4% towards social security tax and 2.9% towards Medicare tax.
As per IRS, Half of 15.3% that is 7.65% is considered to be employer portion and hence available for deduction from net income for computing SE tax.
Therefore 92.35%( 100 - 7.65 ) earnings are considered for computing SE tax.
SE tax = $40000 * 92.35% * 15.3%
= $5652
While computing Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), he can deduct half of SE tax paid by him.
Therfore deduction available = $5652 / 2
= $2826
Particulars | Amount (in$) |
Net Income as given | 40000 |
Less: self employment adjustment | (3060) |
Taxable self employment earnings | 36940 |
Self Employment Tax @ 15.3% | 5652 |
Tax Deductible portion for Form 1040 (5652 / 2 ) That is deduction available for arriving at Adjusted Gross Income |
2826 |