I am a full time employee filing W-2 income. I received a 1099-MISC showing $13 in royalties from a book I wrote several years ago. Do I really need to file as self employed?

[MargaretL · Accepted solution]

No, you don't have to if you are not in the business of writing.  And you can enter the amount as other income... just as TurboTax indicates " if this royalty is not from an activity you engage professionally..." You can enter this as Other Income, Form 1040 line 21. 

1. Federal Taxes
2. Wages and Income
3. Scroll down to Less Common Income
4. Select Miscellaneous Income
5. Select Other reportable income, select ‘yes’ and you will be prompted to enter Description and amount.