Question about money from TikTok

[brianinmaine]

I have a 20year old daughter that in the months of November and December made some money from the TikTok creator fund.  In total it was about $1900.  She is a full time college student and the only other money she made during the year was from a summer job which was about 15K.

She did not receive a 1099 from TikTok but I understand that we do need to account for this $1900 on her taxes.  I guess my question would be, is it appropriate for me to just add that as Other Income and state it is from the TikTok Creator fund as the description?  Or should I be doing this some other way.

She doesn't really have any expenses with it, we pay her phone bill while she is in school and she did not purchase anything for this.

[Vanessa A · Accepted solution]

No.  You would not list this as Other Income. A Tik Tok creator would be considered self employed.  This income would need to be reported on Schedule C.  Since it is over $400 it is subject to Self-Employment taxes. 

To enter your self-employment income select the following:

1. Federal
2. Income and Expenses
3. Show More next to Self-Employment
4. Start next to Self-Employment
5. Yes, to you have any self-employment income or expenses
6. Enter the type of self-employment work you do and you can select that you use your name for your business
7. Click through a few more screens and you will get to a screen that says "Your XX info"
8. Click Looks good
9. Then you will come to a screen that says Let's enter the income for your business.  It will give you the option of 1099-NEC or Other self-employed income including the 1099K , cash and checks. 
10. If you do not select one, it will not let you enter your income
11. Enter your self-employment income on the next screen
12. Continue and on the next screen click add expenses

* Please note navigation may differ slightly depending on which version of TurboTax you are using*

The income and expenses as an independent contractor  will be reported on Schedule C which is part of your overall tax return. This also means she will be subject to the 15.3% SE Tax.  If she did not pay Self Employment (SE) Taxes in 2025, and if plans to do this again in 2026, it may be a good idea to make estimated quarterly payments to avoid penalties.

Taking Business Expense Deductions
 

[brianinmaine]

Thank you

She did not get a 1099K or a 1099-NEC.  in #9 below you state to select 1099NEC or 1099K, but she did not get either.  

[DoninGA]

@brianinmaine That also includes cash or checks. 

If no income then there is no reason to complete a Schedule C. 

[brianinmaine]

One additional question, is this income considered Qualified Business Income?

[CesarJ]

Yes. In your daugther's case this income will be considered Qualified Business Income, which is ‌basically a "pass-through" deduction to applies to her business income. 

@brianinmaine