can individuals pay into social security
Thus, the self-employed individual must pay the IRS both the employee and the employer halves of Social Security/Medicare tax. Self-employed workers pay twice as much as either an employee or an employer pays for FICA taxes. The pressure a 15.4 percent flat tax puts on self-employed pushes many self-employed into the IRS deductions trap. Martha's story. Recently a friend who is a nationally known artist and sculptor went in to sign up for Social Security.
How to Pay Self-Employment Tax. To pay self-employment tax, you must have a Social Security number (SSN) or an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Obtaining a Social Security Number. If you never had an SSN, apply for one using Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card.