[dragonwriter]

> The self employed pay 15.3% of gross income to FICA and Medicare taxes. This amount cannot be avoided (no tax breaks). Employees pay roughly half this percentage.

Everyone, effectively pays 15.3% of gross SS-covered wages up to $113,700 and 2.9% on income above that.

If you aren't self-employed, exactly (not "roughly") half of that (the so-called "employer's share") is not directly visible, while half of it is reflected in payroll deductions.

[hobs]

Yeah, most people dont know about ER taxes because they dont have to pay them until they are self employed.