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Am I calculating my taxes right?

Posted on 12/5/15 at 12:38 am
Posted by CHiPs25
ATL
Member since Apr 2014
2909 posts
Posted on 12/5/15 at 12:38 am
I picked up a 2nd job delivering pizzas to pay off some debt faster. I'm a 1099 and have Gross Pay of $1000 (for simple math). I have driven 685 miles (57.5 mileage rate) and have paid $134.54 in gas. Vehicle is used for this second job exclusively. Total for mileage rate and gas is $528.42.

Does this mean that i'll be taxed the 15.3% employment tax rate on the remaining $471.58?

Would there be any other deductions that I could take that i'm not thinking about?
Posted by yellowfin
Coastal Bar
Member since May 2006
97745 posts
Posted on 12/5/15 at 5:37 am to
You can't take mileage and gas
Posted by Chuker
St George, Louisiana
Member since Nov 2015
7544 posts
Posted on 12/5/15 at 8:03 am to
Just don't pay that shite.

I haven't paid my taxes in years and I'm still alive.
Posted by Poodlebrain
Way Right of Rex
Member since Jan 2004
19860 posts
Posted on 12/5/15 at 9:29 am to
If you are using a vehicle exclusively for delivery driving, then you would probably benefit from using the actual vehicle expenses rather than the standard mileage rate. In addition to the $135 of gas expense (rounding is okay for tax purposes), you can deduct the costs of insurance, registration and inspections, maintenance and repairs, and allowed depreciation. The allowed depreciation alone might be enough to result in a loss from this business activity. This would reduce your gross income, and your tax liability.

You could claim some expense for a cell phone and/or GPS system if you use them in connection with your delivery driving. You could also purchase a fancy flashlight to assist you in finding addresses at night. Another expense you could claim is any insurance costs directly attributable to commercial use of your vehicle if you decide to use the standard mileage rate.

As a matter of limiting your liability, you should insist on being treated as an employee instead of an independent contractor. Unless you have absolute freedom to choose which deliveries you make and which deliveries you don't make, you are technically an employee instead of an independent contractor. If you persist working as as a non-employee, you might want to consider forming an LLC to limit your liability to the assets you use in the business, i.e. the delivery vehicle and any insurance coverage you have on the vehicle. The expenses associated with the LLC would also be allowable deductions for determining net income from the business.
Posted by TigerTatorTots
The Safeshore
Member since Jul 2009
80806 posts
Posted on 12/5/15 at 9:34 am to
The 57.5 mileage rate covers gas too. Can't do both
Posted by foshizzle
Washington DC metro
Member since Mar 2008
40599 posts
Posted on 12/5/15 at 10:57 am to
As others have noted, you can legally claim actual expenses (which can include repairs) or use the mileage rate but not both. You can switch each year depending on which way works best.

Good on you for picking up a second job, I can't stand people bitching about how there aren't any jobs to be found when really they just aren't willing to work hourly.
Posted by Boudreaux in SF
silicon valley
Member since May 2005
530 posts
Posted on 12/5/15 at 10:58 am to
quote:

I picked up a 2nd job delivering pizzas to pay off some debt faster. I'm a 1099 and have Gross Pay of $1000 (for simple math). I have driven 685 miles (57.5 mileage rate) and have paid $134.54 in gas. Vehicle is used for this second job exclusively. Total for mileage rate and gas is $528.42.

Does this mean that i'll be taxed the 15.3% employment tax rate on the remaining $471.58?


Poodle provided good info for you on deductions, but you still need some clarity on the taxes portion of you post.

The 15.3% is self employment tax (Social Security and Medicare Taxes) that would be due and payable on the net profits of your 1099 income. However, the Social Security tax is capped at $118K and the Medicare portion is payable on all income. I mentioned the $118K since you indicated that your have W-2 wages in excess of $100k. But, you will still have income tax liability at your top marginal rate. So the answer to your question is no you will not be taxed at a 15.3% rate. You will be taxed at an approximate 28% income tax rate (approximate due to no knowledge of your Schedule A deductions) and the 15.3% for that portion on 1099 net income that is under $118K (included with your W-2 wages) and the the Medicare 2.9% rate for that portion over the $118K (including your W-2 wages.

ETA: you may also want to familiarize yourself with both State and Federal quarterly withholding requirements.
This post was edited on 12/5/15 at 11:05 am
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