The SETC Tax Credit

The SETC Tax Credit

What is the SETC Tax Credit?

The SETC, short for "Self-Employed Tax Credit", is a unique tax credit designed to provide financial relief to self-employed individuals who were adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This credit was implemented as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) to support sole proprietors, independent contractors, gig workers, and other self-employed professionals facing economic challenges due to the pandemic.

officialsetcrefund  of the key features of the SETC tax credit is that it is a refundable credit, not a loan. This means that eligible self-employed individuals can obtain the credit as a refund, even if they have no tax liability. The credit essentially reduces their tax burden on a dollar-for-dollar basis, potentially leading to a significant increase in their tax refund.


The SETC tax credit aims to provide self-employed workers financial support comparable to the paid sick and family leave benefits typically offered to employees. By offering this credit, the government acknowledges the unique challenges faced by the self-employed sector during the pandemic and attempts to mitigate income disruptions and promote greater financial stability for these professionals.