Shakespeare's writing style. Detail from statue of Shakespeare in Leicester Square, London. William Shakespeare's style of writing was borrowed from the conventions of the day and adapted to his needs.
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.
Qualifying for Social Security. Workers do not automatically qualify for Social Security retirement benefits. They must work and pay a minimum in Social Security taxes for at least 40 quarters (10 years) during their working lives if born in 1929 or later. These 40 quarters need not be consecutive.