<p><<pumpkinking wrote:="" starting="" salaries="" range="" from="" $35-$60k="" or="" so,="" and="" as="" an="" independent="" contractor="" doesnt="" one="" pay="" employee="" employer="" taxes?="">></pumpkinking></p>
<p>I’m no tax expert, but we recently looked into this with older D. Yes, independent contractors must pay withholding, FICA, etc. and should purchase health and possibly liability insurance and “pay” themselves contributions to retirement accounts and/or similar benefits. Independent contractors can submit work-related deductions, but first have to make enough money to qualify for them! I <em>think</em> an IC needs to figure about 27-30% more salary to cover the basic taxes and break even.</p>