Why can't Turbo Tax software understand that although I received a 1099 for stock market investments that I did not earn the money from working?
It is possible for a full-time investor to be considered self-employed. However, it sounds like you have a problem with your 1099. Did you receive a 1099–B or a 1099–MISC? If you received a 1099B, could you possibly have entered it in the 1099–MISC-section?
There are 20 types of 1099 forms. 1099-MISC, 1099-B, 1099-DIV, 1099-INT, 1099-OID, 1099-R and quite a few more. Which do you have?
Generally, gains from the stock market are not "earned" income and are therefore not reported on a 1099-MISC. But if investing is your primary source of income, it could most certainly be considered earned income; especially if you're a day trader; even part time.
How do we get around this? I'm trying to file my 1099-MISC for about $14 of stock royalties and it keeps trying to force me to fill out of a Schedule C or E because TT keeps treating it like a business.