Does an independent contractor pays selfl-employment taxes instead of FICA taxes?

That is correct, exept that the employer pays a portion of your FICA, whereas when you are Self-employed you are hit with the full amount. Of course you have the advantages of being able to deduct all of your business expenses. More information below from IRS.gov " Self-employment tax (SE tax) is a social security and Medicare tax primarily for individuals who work for themselves. It is similar to the social security and Medicare taxes withheld from the pay of most wage earners. You figure SE tax yourself using Schedule SE (Form 1040). Social security and Medicare taxes of most wage earners are figured by their employers. Also you can deduct half of your SE tax in figuring your adjusted gross income. Wage earners cannot deduct social security and Medicare taxes." Hope this helps. Roger Hadad, Effectur Inc, www.irs101.blogspot.com