I too am a Best Buy Product tester and usually in Turbo Tax it just lists the value from #7 on the 1099-Misc in the "Other Income" line. This year it is telling me that I am self-employed and putting the dollar value in "Business Income and Expenses" and filling out a schedule "C". I am not in business and not sure why this changed.
SOLUTION FOUND:
Even though you weren't paid in cash you still need to include the "income"(value of goods) on the 1099-MISC in your return. You can enter the 1099-MISC in TurboTax as "Other Common Income," which is reported on line 21 of the 1040 and will not generate SE tax. Please use the following steps:
- Click on Federal Taxes > Wages & Income. [In TT Self-Employed: Personal > Personal Income > I'll choose what I work on.]
- Scroll down to the Other Common Income section.
- Click on the Start/Revisit box next Form 1099-MISC. [See Screenshot #1, below.]
- On the screen Did you get a 1099-MISC? click on the Yes button. [Screenshot #2]
- On the next screen, Let's get the info from your 1099-MISC, enter the information from the 1099-MISC.
[Screenshot #3] - On the following screens, answer the following questions:
- Did it involve work that's like your main job? No.
- You got it in 2016
- No, it didn't involve an intent to earn money
7. Continue through the rest of the interview screens. The income will appear on line 21 of form 1040 (Other Income).
