California, like the federal government, requires individuals who work for themselves to pay taxes that fund Social Security and Medicare. These levies are typically not withheld from payments as they would be for traditional employees. Instead, the responsibility falls upon the independent contractor, freelancer, or small business owner to calculate and pay these taxes directly. A common example would be a sole proprietor operating a consulting business they would be responsible for paying these taxes quarterly.
This system of self-assessment and payment is vital for the ongoing solvency of crucial social safety net programs. It ensures that individuals who earn income outside of traditional employment structures contribute their fair share towards retirement and healthcare benefits. Historically, this framework emerged as a way to extend these benefits to the growing segment of the workforce operating independently. This contribution not only safeguards the individual’s future access to these programs but also sustains them for future generations.
