General Information

Social security benefits. Social security coverage provides you with retirement benefits, disability benefits, survivor benefits, and hospital insurance (Medicare) benefits. Your payments of self-employment tax (SE tax) help pay for your coverage under the social security system. Social security benefits are available to self-employed persons just as they are to wage earners.

How to become insured under social security. You must be insured under the social security system before you begin receiving social security benefits. You are insured if you have the required number of credits (quarters of coverage). It does not matter whether the income is earned in one quarter or is spread over two or more quarters.

Earning credits in 2000. You can earn a maximum of four credits per year. For 2000, you earn one credit for each $780 of income subject to social security taxes. You need $3,120 ($780 x 4) of self-employment income and wages to earn four credits in 2000.

For an explanation of the number of credits you must have to be insured and the benefits available to you and your family under the social security program, consult your nearest Social Security Administration (SSA) office.

Making false statements to get or to increase social security benefits may subject you to penalties.

How To Pay Self-Employment Tax

To pay SE tax, you must have a social security number (SSN). This section explains how to:

• Obtain a social security number, and
• Pay your SE tax using estimated tax.

Obtaining a social security number (SSN). If you have never had an SSN, apply for one using Form SS-5. You can get this form at any Social Security office or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

You can also download Form SS-5 from the Social Security Administration web site at www.ssa.gov.

If you have a social security number from the time you were an employee, you must use that number. Do not apply for a new one.

Replacing a lost social security card. If you have a number but lost your card, file Form SS-5. You will get a new card showing your original number, not a new number.

Name change. If your name has changed since you received your social security card, complete Form SS-5 to report a name change.

Paying estimated tax. Estimated tax is the method used to pay tax (including SE tax) on income not subject to withholding. You generally have to make estimated tax payments if you expect to owe tax, including self-employment tax, of $1,000 or more when you file your return. Use Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals, to figure and pay the tax.

However, if at least two-thirds of your gross income in 2000 or 2001 is from farming and you file your Form 1040 and pay all the tax due by March 1, 2002, you do not have to pay any estimated tax for farmers. See chapter 2 for more information about estimated tax for farmers.

Penalty for underpayment of estimated tax. You may have to pay a penalty if you do not pay enough estimated tax by its due date.

Social Security Administration (SSA) time limit for posting self-employment income. Generally, the SSA will give you credit only for self-employment income reported on a tax return filed within 3 years, 3 months, and 15 days after the year you earned the income. If you file your tax return or report a change in your self-employment income after this time limit, the SSA may change its records, but only to remove or reduce the amount. The SSA will not change its records to increase your self-employment income.

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