What term describes the taxation process for self-employed individuals, in which they are responsible for their own tax payments?

The term that accurately describes the taxation process for self-employed individuals, where they are responsible for calculating and paying their own taxes, is self-assessment taxation. This process requires individuals to determine their tax liability by assessing their income and allowable expenses, and then submitting this information to the tax authorities, along with their tax payment.

Self-assessment taxation is important for self-employed individuals because it emphasizes their independence and responsibility for ensuring compliance with tax laws. Unlike employees who have taxes withheld from their paychecks through pay-as-you-earn taxation, self-employed individuals must keep track of their earnings throughout the year and fulfill their tax obligations accordingly.

Other terms do not accurately capture this specific process. Pay-as-you-earn taxation typically applies to employees, where taxes are deducted directly from their gross income. Individual tax assessment might suggest various methods of assessing taxes but does not specifically denote the self-reporting nature applicable to self-employed individuals. Freelance tax reporting, while related, is not a recognized term within tax systems and does not encompass the full context of self-assessment.