IRS Form Schedule SE

Form Schedule SE: Self-Employment Tax

A plain-English guide to IRS Form Schedule SE — what it's for, who files it, when it's due, and how to complete it.

Form numberSchedule SE
Official nameSelf-Employment Tax
CategoryIndividual / business
Typically dueWith Form 1040 (April 15)
Official IRS Form Schedule SE (PDF)

What is Form Schedule SE?

Schedule SE calculates the Social Security and Medicare tax the self-employed owe on their net earnings — the 15.3% self-employment tax. Half of it is deductible on your 1040.

Here's the math that catches first-year freelancers off guard: you multiply net profit by 92.35%, then apply 15.3%. On $50,000 of profit that's about $7,065 of self-employment tax — completely separate from, and on top of, your income tax. The one bit of relief is that you deduct half of it as an adjustment to income.

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Who files it

Anyone with $400+ of net self-employment income from Schedule C or a partnership K-1.

When it's due

Form Schedule SE is generally due With Form 1040 (April 15). Deadlines can move for weekends and holidays, so confirm the exact date for the current year on IRS.gov.

Key lines and parts

Here's what you'll actually fill in on Form Schedule SE:

  • Net self-employment earnings (× 92.35%)
  • 12.4% Social Security portion up to the wage base
  • 2.9% Medicare portion on all earnings
  • Deduction for one-half of SE tax

How to file

Carry net profit from Schedule C, compute SE tax, and report it on your 1040. The deductible half reduces your income tax.

Common mistakes & penalties

The mistake is budgeting only for your income-tax bracket and forgetting SE tax entirely. Someone in the 12% bracket can still owe over 25% once SE tax is stacked on — plan for the combined rate, not just the bracket.
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Frequently asked questions

What is IRS Form Schedule SE?

Schedule SE calculates the Social Security and Medicare tax the self-employed owe on their net earnings — the 15.3% self-employment tax. Half of it is deductible on your 1040.

Who has to file Form Schedule SE?

Anyone with $400+ of net self-employment income from Schedule C or a partnership K-1.

When is Form Schedule SE due?

Form Schedule SE is generally due With Form 1040 (April 15). Always confirm the current year's date on IRS.gov, since deadlines shift for weekends and holidays.

What's the most common mistake with Form Schedule SE?

The mistake is budgeting only for your income-tax bracket and forgetting SE tax entirely. Someone in the 12% bracket can still owe over 25% once SE tax is stacked on — plan for the combined rate, not just the bracket.