Find out when you have to pay taxes on your weekend job, and the best place to register to vote.

Q. I run my own lawn care business to earn extra money. How much money can I make before I have to pay taxes?

A. If you’re in business for yourself, you’ll need to pay self-employment tax if net earnings are $400 or more. This is primarily a Social Security and Medicare tax, and will require a few additional tax forms.

To calculate how much self-employment tax you owe, fill out a Schedule SE (self-employment) form. This will have to be filed with your 1040 form, the U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.

Along with the Schedule SE and the 1040 form, you’ll also need to file a Schedule C or Schedule C-EZ (the shortened, “easy” version). These forms help determine business profit or loss.

For tax forms and all the details, search “Self-Employed Individuals Tax Center” at irs.gov.

Q. What’s the easiest way to register to vote in my state?

A. The quickest, most painless way to register to vote is to go online. Head over to eac.gov/voter/states or (for a cooler look) rockthevote.com, and fill out a voter registration form for your specific state.

Follow the instructions on the website, print out the completed form, and mail it to your state’s election official. If you’re a resident of New Hampshire or Wyoming, you’ll have to register in person. Find out where to register at the above websites. The first time you vote, federal law requires you to show proof of ID, but some states allow you to submit a photocopy of your ID with the mailed-in application. Check your state’s guidelines for details and acceptable forms of ID.

These websites also provide information such as poll locations, deadlines for registration and voting, and more. Good luck and happy voting!
 

Editor's Note:

When answering your questions, brass consults with experienced professionals from a wide spectrum of industries. We utilize their expertise to give you the answers you need, but it's always wise to seek additional opinions from other professionals.

Sources:

declareyourself.com, irs.gov, eac.gov, rockthevote.com