Generally, a Consultant is a self-employed independent businessperson who has a special field of expertise or skill.

Are consultants considered self-employed?

Pay self-employment tax

As an independent consultant you are considered self-employed, so if you earn more than $400 for the year, the IRS expects you to pay your own tax. The self-employment tax rate is 15.3% of your net earnings.

Are independent consultants self-employed?

The earnings of a person who is working as an independent contractor are subject to Self-Employment Tax. If you are an independent contractor, you are self-employed. ... You are not an independent contractor if you perform services that can be controlled by an employer (what will be done and how it will be done).