Your Complete Small Business Income Tax Guide

Small Business Tax Forms, Rates, and Filing Information

Two business people calculate their business in the office.
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Small businesses calculate their business profit or loss for income tax purposes, then include this information on their personal tax returns. This guide will help you determine which forms to use and how to get the information for these forms.

This guide is for small businesses filing their tax returns on Schedule C with their personal returns (Form 1040). It includes sole proprietors and single-member LLC owners. If your business is a corporation or S corporation, check out the Complete Guide for Corporations and S Corporations, If it is a multiple-owner LLC or a partnership, here is a Guide for Business Taxes for Partnerships.

The Small Business Tax Deduction

As a small business owner, you may be able to get a Qualified Business Income deduction of 20% off certain business income, in addition to normal business deductions. The deduction can be taken as of 2018, through 2025. If you think you might qualify, ask your tax preparer. Most small business tax preparation software programs include this deduction calculation.

Due Dates

Because small businesses file their business tax returns with their personal returns, the due date is the same as the personal income tax return due date: April 15. If the due date falls on a holiday or weekend, the next business day is the due date for that year.

Some 2021 Tax Due Dates Extended

Residents and business owners throughout Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina with a valid extension to file their 2021 tax return by Oct. 17, 2022 now have until Feb. 15, 2023, due to the impact of Hurricane Ian. The Jan. 15, 2023, quarterly estimated tax deadline was also extended to Feb. 15, 2023. Consult the IRS' disaster relief announcements to determine your eligibility.

Schedule C Income Tax Forms

These are the forms you'll need for sole proprietors and single-member LLCs, including those for calculating self-employment tax:

Tax Details Needed to Complete Schedule C

The information you may need to complete Schedule C:

Self-Employment Taxes

Small business owners must pay self-employment taxes (Social Security/Medicare taxes) on the net income (profit) from their businesses. If you don't have any income from the business during the year, or if your income is $400 or less for the year, you don't have to pay the self-employment tax.

A simplified explanation of how self-employment tax is calculated:

  • Enter your business net income
  • Multiply this income by 92.35% (0.9235)
  • Multiply this number by 15.3% (the self-employment tax rate) to get your self-employment tax liability amount.

This amount is used to determine your eligibility for Social Security/Medicare benefits for the year. If you don't have any income, you can't get credit for these benefits that year.

You can deduct one-half of the self-employment tax to reduce your adjusted gross income for the year.

A tax software program or tax preparer can calculate this tax for you, or you can run the calculation yourself using Schedule SE.

How To Add Schedule C to Your Personal Tax Return

Add your business net income on Schedule C (Line 31) to your personal income tax return on Schedule 1, line 3 (Business Income/Loss). This schedule is used to total additional income and adjustments and bring them into your Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR.

Enter your total self-employment tax from Schedule SE on Schedule 2 of Form 1040 (Additional Taxes). The deduction for one-half of the self-employment tax is entered on Schedule 1.

Add any tax credits or other business adjustments you are qualified to receive to Schedule 1, including the deduction for half of the self-employment tax.

How To File Your Tax Return, Including Schedule C and Schedule SE

You can file your tax return by mail, or you can e-file the return. The last page of the instructions for Form 1040 lists the addresses to use for mailing your tax return to the IRS. The e-filing fee will be included in your cost if you're using tax preparation software. This cost is also included if you use a professional tax preparer.

Filing an Application for an Extension on Your Taxes

You may apply for an automatic extension of time to file your taxes, including your small business taxes. The extension is for six months for non-corporate tax returns, so the due date for the return is October 15 (unless October 15 is a weekend or holiday, in which case that date is the next business day).

Note

Your filing extension doesn't include an extension for payment. You must pay your taxes by the tax due date of May 17, or June 15 if you live in Texas, Louisiana, or Oklahoma, to avoid penalties and interest.

Filing an Amended Tax Return

You must file an amended return if you make a mistake on your tax return, whether the error is due to your business taxes or personal taxes. The form to amend your tax return depends on your business type. To amend your personal return, including Schedule C, use Form 1040X Amended Return.

Paying Estimated Taxes

You must pay estimated taxes if you don't otherwise pay enough taxes during the year. Many small business owners must pay estimated taxes, because they don't earn a salary, so no taxes are withheld from their income from self-employment. 

Estimated taxes are due quarterly: April 15—or June 15, 2021, if you live in Texas, Louisiana, or Oklahoma—June 15, and September 15 of the current year, and January 15 of the following year. The change in the federal tax filing deadline to May 17, 2021 does not affect estimated tax payments. They're still due on April 15 for everyone other than residents of Texas, Louisiana, or Oklahoma.

Do I Need a Tax Preparer?

A very simple small business with no cost of goods sold or assets to be depreciated might be able to use a tax software program. but most small businesses need a tax preparer. Even a simple Schedule C might be more difficult than you think.

Before you enlist the help of a CPA, enrolled agent, or another qualified tax preparer, use the information in this guide to help you get ready for business taxes.

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Sources
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Internal Revenue Service. "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Provision 11011 Section 199A - Qualified Business Income Deduction FAQs." Accessed April 26, 2021.

  2. Internal Revenue Service. "When to File." Accessed April 26, 2021.

  3. Internal Revenue Service. "2020 Instructions for Schedule C." Accessed April 26, 2021.

  4. Internal Revenue Service. "Topic No. 554 Self-Employment Tax." Accessed April 26, 2021.

  5. Internal Revenue Service. "Instructions for Form 1040 and 1040-SR," Page 8. Accessed April 26, 2021.

  6. Internal Revenue Service. "Victims of Texas Winter Storms Get Deadline Extensions and Other Tax Relief." Accessed April 26, 2021.

  7. Internal Revenue Service. "Topic No. 308 Amended Returns." Accessed April 26, 2021.

  8. Internal Revenue Service. “IRS Announces Tax Relief for Texas Severe Winter Storm Victims.” Accessed April 26, 2021.

  9. Internal Revenue Service. "When Are Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments Due?" Accessed April 26, 2021.

  10. Internal Revenue Service. "IRS Extends Additional Tax Deadlines for Individuals to May 17." Accessed April 26, 2021.

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