The key word is, "typically". Are you saying that TurboTax is only typically guaranteeing the maximum refund? I understand that often 1099-NEC is self-employment income. But not always and not in my case. So yes, it is a TurboTax error and I should be refunded under the TurboTax Maximum Refund Guarantee. How do I get refunded?
I understand what NEC stands for. The issuer purposely used a 1099-NEC because the income is earned. Starting this year Form 1099-MISC is only used other types of payments, such as rents, royalties, fishing boat proceeds, and payments to an attorney for legal services. If they had used a 1099-MISC it would have been unearned income for me.
