Self-employment is a great way to build wealth and get your own office, but it comes with some unique tax considerations. When you’re self-employed in North Carolina, you may be responsible for paying taxes on income that you receive from yourself and from certain business operations—but not on other sources of income. That means you’ll need to know whether your business activity qualifies as self-employment or whether it’s something else. Keep reading to see what kinds of businesses are considered self-employed in North Carolina, what the top rates are for different types of self-employment, and how you can calculate your self-employment tax obligations. 

What Is Self-Employment Income? 

Self-employment income is income that you receive from your own business and that is not derived from another source. The term includes money you make as a partner in a business, as an employee on a self-employment job, as an independent contractor, or as a wife, husband, or parent who earns money on behalf of one or more people. You can also earn money as a consultant or other outside employment. If you make money this way, it is called self-employment income. When you start your own business, you may report your self-employment income as full-time or as part of your business income. If you are a full-time self-employed person, you generally must report all of your income, including income from other sources, as income from that business. 

What You Need to Know About Self-Employment Income in North Carolina 

When you’re self-employed in North Carolina, you’re not just earning any old amount of money. You’re earning income from a specific business, and it’s important to know the income you’re reporting as income from that business. Here’s what you need to know about self-employment income in North Carolina: Partner income—On a partner-only business, your share of the profits is reported as partner income. Employee earnings on a self-employment job—You may report the income you receive from a self-employment job as employee income on your taxes. You must include on your tax return the regular salary you receive, as well as any other income you earn as a result of your business activities. Outside income—You must include on your tax return all income that comes from outside the United States, even if you’re a non-citizen. 

Self-Employment Tax Rates in North Carolina 

The top tax rate you must pay on your self-employment income in North Carolina is just as it is on all other income you earn. In general, the rate is 35% of your income. However, there are a few exceptions. Some of these rates are lowered for people who are age 65 or older. Also, there are special rates for people under age 18 who are the parents or guardians of qualifying children. These rates also apply to certain groups of people who are disabled. 

How to Calculate Your Self-Employment Tax Obligation in North Carolina 

To calculate your self-employment tax obligation in North Carolina, first determine what portion of your income is from self-employment. This is the most important part of the equation because it determines how much income tax you will owe. To be sure you have all the information you need to calculate your income tax obligation, you can use one of several online tax calculators. You can also look up your income tax return information in your local library or assessor’s office. 

Conclusion 

If you’re self-employed in North Carolina, you’ll likely have to pay self-employment taxes on a portion of your income that is not related to employment. This is due to the fact that you’re self-employed and your income is not derived from another source. You may be surprised by the rates and amount that must be reported as self-employment income in North Carolina. The lower the rate you report as self-employment income, the less income tax you will owe; however, this may not be the case for all income you receive. Make sure you understand which income you’ll be reporting as self-employment income and which will be considered your primary income. 

Need help with your self-employment taxes in North Carolina? Contact us at +1 (718) 218-5558 or hi@peakreliance.co to learn more about our services and get expert assistance with your tax obligations.