Lexa worked as an employee during the first half of the year earning $65,000 of salary. Lexa's employer withheld $4,030 of Social Security tax and $943 of Medicare tax. In the second half of the year, she was self-employed and she reported $180,000 of self-employment income on her ScheduleC. What amount of self-employment taxes is Lexa required to pay?
$11,549.
\hlineDescription(1) Social Security wage base limit lessemployec compensation subject toSocial Security tax(2) Net eamings from self-employment(3) Social Security portion ofselfemployment tax(4) Employer portion of Medicare tax onthe self-employment income(5) Sum of taxpayer’s compensation and netearnings from self-employment(6) Lesser of [Step (5) amount or $ 200,000]x 1.45 %(7) Greater of [(a) zero or (b) the amountfrom Step (5) minus $ 200,000] x 2.35 %(8) Steps (6)+(7) - Medieare taxeswithheld by Lexa’s employer. This isthe employee pertion of Medicare taxon the self-employment income.(9) Steps (3)+(4)+(8)\hlineAmount$52,000166,2306,4482,410231,2302,9007342,69111,549\hlineExplanation$117,000−$65,000,limited to$0$180,000x92.35%Lesser of [ Step (1) or (2)]x12.4%Step(2)x1.45%$65,000+Step(2)200,000x1.45%31,230x2.35%2,900+734−943
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