For self employed, is there a way to track my SEP contributions in QB so that the tax estimator could take this into consideration when calculating my quarterly taxes?

Hi there, Hsuan. Let me provide additional information about tracking your SEP contributions in QuickBooks Self-employed (QBSE).

The option to track SEP contributions is currently unavailable in QBSE, as the contribution is reported on Form 1040, line 28. You can manually record it as a personal expense or transaction, and it must be accounted for when filling out Form 1040. Before proceeding, I suggest consulting an accountant for further assistance with the process to ensure everything is in the correct order.

Additionally, you can learn how to effectively categorize your transactions in QuickBooks Self-Employed by visiting our article.

If you have any further questions or need additional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I'm here to help. Take care.

Hi there,

Is there a way to categorize a transaction as a SEP contribution? I did not see that category when I looked. And if there is a category for SEP contribution, would the quarterly tax estimator take that into consideration when calculating my estimated taxes?

My current situation is that I think QB is estimating a higher tax amount because it isn't taking my SEP contribution into account.

Thanks for getting back to us, @hsuan-han. I recognize how vital it is to maintain accurate financial records, especially for maximizing your tax benefits. I’m here to help you through this process.

Since the SEP IRA contribution is reported on line 28 of Form 1040 (long form) rather than on Schedule C, the option to categorize it in QuickBooks Self-Employed (QBSE) is currently unavailable.

You’ll need to manually mark it as a personal expense or transaction, ensuring it’s accounted for when completing your Form 1040. Before you proceed, I recommend consulting your accountant to confirm everything is correctly filled out. If you don’t have one, you can find an expert here.

Then, you can follow these steps to categorize the transaction:

1. Navigate to the Transactions menu.
2. Look for the transaction on the list.
3. Find a transaction on the list.
4. Select Personal for personal and pick the appropriate category.
5. Enter the other necessary info.
6. Once you're finished, hit Save.

For further information on Schedule C categories, check out this article: Schedule C and expense categories in QuickBooks Solopreneur and QuickBooks Self-Employed.

It's essential to have these contributions accurately reflected, so you don’t end up overestimating your tax liabilities. If you have any additional questions about categorizing your transactions, just shoot them my way. Wishing you a smooth and successful tax season!