Are notaries exempt from self employment tax?

Asked by: Barton Mayert  |  Last update: May 12, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (30 votes)

Notary income Fees for services you provide as a notary public are not subject to self-employment tax. However, all of your other self-employment income is subject to self-employment tax.

Who is exempt from self-employment tax?

Employees: Individuals who work as employees and receive a W-2 form are not subject to self-employment tax on their wages, as their employers withhold Social Security and Medicare taxes throughout the year that the employer pays over to the government.

Who is not liable for self-employment tax?

Who must pay self-employment tax? You must pay self-employment tax and file Schedule SE (Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR) if either of the following applies. Your net earnings from self-employment (excluding church employee income) were $400 or more. You had church employee income of $108.28 or more.

Are notary fees tax exempt?

Reporting Notarization Fees

According to IRS Publication 17, all fees received specifically for notarial acts should be included in gross income — the amount of money received before anything is deducted — on a Schedule C or Schedule C-EZ (Form 1040).

What category does notary fall under?

NAICS Code 541120 - Offices of Notaries sits in the 2-digit Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector. NAICS codes can be 2- to 6-digits and the further along the hierarchy, the more detailed and specific the category will be.

How to Calculate Self Employment Exemption For Your Notary, Signing Agent or Small Business

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Do notaries get a tax break?

This includes any fees charged for notarial acts such as acknowledgments, jurats, or certified copies. It is important to note that notary income is typically exempt from self-employment tax. The IRS allows notaries to exclude this income from self-employment taxes under Section 1402(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.

What type of notary makes the most money?

#1: Loan Signing Agent

One of the most lucrative ways to make money as a notary public is by becoming a loan signing agent.

Is notary self-employment income?

All Notary Income must be reported income on on Form 1040 Schedule C or Schedule C-EZ. However, notary income is exempt from self-employment tax on their notarial income because they are public officials. This means you are exempt from paying Social Security and Medicare but you are taxed at full rate on your profit.

What can notaries not charge for?

Some states prohibit their notaries from charging or collecting a fee for notarizing a signature on any absentee ballot or absentee voter registration.

Which type of income is not subject to self-employment tax?

Other Income Not Subject to Self Employment Tax

Participation in a drug trial or clinical study that paid one time. Hobbies that include creation and patenting of inventions, when done occasionally. Occasional leasing of a commercial permit to another party with intention to return to using the permit when able.

Do all 1099 employees have to pay self-employment tax?

Independent contractors generally must pay income tax and self-employment tax, which is a combination of Medicare and Social Security taxes. Specific tax obligations will depend on whether the business resulted in a net profit or a net loss.

What happens if you are self-employed and don't pay taxes?

The consequences of not filing your taxes are many, including IRS penalties and interest, collection actions, and even seizure of property. This guide walks through what to know about self-employment and taxes, what happens if you don't report your income and other important information for your taxes.

Do LLC owners pay self-employment tax?

Yes. LLC members are considered self-employed individuals, and self-employed individuals do not have FICA taxes (e.g., Social Security, Medicare) withdrawn from their paychecks. Instead, self-employed people pay FICA taxes directly to the IRS—which is known as the self-employment tax.

Is it illegal to exempt yourself from taxes?

Is filing as exempt illegal? No, filing as exempt is not illegal – however you must meet a series of criteria in order to file exempt status on your Form W-4. Also, even if you qualify for an exemption, your employer will still withhold for Social Security and Medicare taxes.

Why is 30% tax for self-employed?

That “30% rule of thumb” comes from the fact that self-employment income is taxed at an additional 15.3% to make sure that self-employed people still pay Medicare and Social Security tax.

What is the most common mistake made by a notary?

One of the most common mistakes that notaries make is not printing or signing their name exactly as it appears on their notary commission.

Why not to be a notary?

You may not enjoy a steady source of income

As a self-employed notary, enjoying a steady source of income may be difficult. This is because the flow of jobs may be unpredictable and estimating how often your clients will need your services may be difficult.

Are notaries personally liable?

Violations and unlawful acts of official misconduct create civil liability for the notary public. A notary is liable to the person involved for all damages caused by his or her notarial misconduct.

Can I work for myself as a notary?

It is possible! Many people have found freedom in being able to work for themselves as a mobile notary public. There are certain steps you do need to take so that you will have a successful notary business.

Is being a notary a good side hustle?

A Notary commission can open the door to more than a dozen additional money-making opportunities. Being a Notary shows that you have integrity and it establishes a level of trust that gives you a leg up on your competition — even if you're not directly using your commission for every freelance job that comes your way.

What can I write off as a notary?

Tax Write Offs And Deductions For Notaries and Signing Agents
  • Business Cards. Business cards are a crucial tool for networking and attracting new clients. ...
  • Business Meals. ...
  • Car Insurance & Registration. ...
  • Car Maintenance. ...
  • Car Purchase & Depreciation. ...
  • Continuing Education Classes. ...
  • E&O Insurance. ...
  • Home Office Furniture.

Is notary a stressful job?

Working as a Notary is flexible, rewarding and provides a valuable service to the public — but no one ever said it's a cakewalk. Notaries face many sources of stress on the job, including angry customers, illegal requests, irregular work hours and more.

How to market yourself as a notary?

5 simple tips to market your Notary Signing Agent business
  1. Create profiles on as many Notary listing websites as possible.
  2. Create a social media presence.
  3. Create a Google ad for your business.
  4. Form a Notary network.
  5. Reach out directly to potential clients.