Filing Requirements for Self-Employed Individuals

You are self-employed if you operate a trade, business, or profession, either by yourself or as a partner. You report your earnings for Social Security when you file your federal income tax return. If your net earnings are $400 or more in a year, you must report your earnings on schedule SE.

The self-employed individual must complete the following federal tax forms by April 15 following any year in which you have net earnings of $400 or more:

Michigan Tax Forms 

• MI 1040 (Michigan Individual Income Tax Return) 
• MI 1040 ES (Michigan Individual Estimated Tax) 
• Michigan Business Tax: 
  This tax is imposed on the business income of all taxpayers (not just corporations) with business activity in Michigan, subject to the limitations of federal law.
  MBT Estimate Form 4548 

Federal Tax Forms 

• Form 1040 (U.S. Individual Income Tax Return)
• Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business)
• Schedule F (Profit or Loss from Farming)
• Schedule SE (Self-Employment Tax)

These forms can be obtained from the IRS online at www.irs.gov and most banks and post offices. Send the tax return and schedules along with your self-employment tax to the IRS. Even if you do not owe any income tax, you must complete Form 1040 and Schedule SE to pay self-employment Social Security tax. This is true even if you already get Social Security benefits.