Why do I have to file a sch C when I don’t own a business. I work for a company but have to buy my own tools and want to deduct them. How do I do the deduction?

[Carl]

Does the company you work for report what they pay you on a 1099-MISC? Or a W-2? This matters, because 1099-MISC income is self-employment income as far as the IRS is concerned.