# A couple of really simple tax return questions regarding Self-Employment Tax.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-really-simple-tax-return-questions-regarding-self-employment-tax/671180>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [October 14, 2013, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-really-simple-tax-return-questions-regarding-self-employment-tax/671180 "2013-10-14T03:17:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-really-simple-tax-return-questions-regarding-self-employment-tax/671180/1 "2013-10-14T03:17:32Z")

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I’m filing my 2012 tax returns now because I got an extension.

I have a regular salary job, but I also make a small amount of additional income from speaking fees. 2012 was not a great year for me for this type of income – I only made a profit of $265.

According to Schedule SE Line 4, because $265 x 92.35% equals less than $400, I do not owe self-employment tax (Yay!) and I do not have to submit Schedule SE with my return.

1. So… I assume I should enter zero on Line 56 of Form 1040 (“Self-employment tax”). Right?

2. And do I also enter zero on Line 27 of Form 1040 (“Deductible part of self-employment tax”)?

Thanks all, in advance.

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**Author:** ![Nothar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nothar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nothar)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-really-simple-tax-return-questions-regarding-self-employment-tax/671180/2 "2013-10-14T07:01:54Z")

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CPA here.

That is correct. If 92.35% of your total net income from self-employment jobs is less than 400, you are not required to pay self employment taxes on that income. You would leave the lines for Self-employment tax and the line for the adjustment for 1/2 of self-employment tax paid blank and are nit required to file Schedule SE.

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**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-really-simple-tax-return-questions-regarding-self-employment-tax/671180/3 "2013-10-14T11:09:12Z")

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Thanks, Nothar!