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posted Jun 4, 2019 12:57:51 PM

Non professional royalties - schedule C or Schedule E? Definitive answer required.

I received royalty income for a hobby and  posted a previous question on this (https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3994280-tt-entry-form-for-1099-misc-has-no-where-to-enter-box-2-royalties?jump_to=comment_6217857 )and received an answer stating it should go in Schedule C.  .  In a previous year I used a paid professional account to prepare my tax returns and they reported the royalties on a Schedule E. There is also this past question (https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3263134-schedule-e-or-c-for-royalties-from-writing) that says royalties from your profession get reported on Schedule C, but if it is not from an acuity you engage in professionally then it gets reported on Schedule E.

So if this last answer is correct and the income should be reported on Schedule E (as its from a hobby), then why did the answer to my question state it should go on a Schedule C?
(My original question clearly stated "this is a hobby sideline, not my employment income")

This is confusing and contradictory.  The royalty is not from an activity I engage in professionally, therefore should it be reported in Schedule E, and not C? If it should be C, then why do other questions say it should be C?

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1 Best answer
Intuit Alumni
Jun 4, 2019 12:57:52 PM

Schedule E  ["final answer."] - Because you do not consider your photography a business.

Both of the answers you referenced actually say pretty much the same thing:

"Any royalties from intellectual property you created as part of your profession should be reported on a Schedule C.   If this royalty is not from an activity you engage in professionally, you should enter it on a Schedule E."

"Royalty income from your business, including artist royalties, go to a Schedule C, although other types of royalties, for property, do go to a Schedule E."



1 Replies
Intuit Alumni
Jun 4, 2019 12:57:52 PM

Schedule E  ["final answer."] - Because you do not consider your photography a business.

Both of the answers you referenced actually say pretty much the same thing:

"Any royalties from intellectual property you created as part of your profession should be reported on a Schedule C.   If this royalty is not from an activity you engage in professionally, you should enter it on a Schedule E."

"Royalty income from your business, including artist royalties, go to a Schedule C, although other types of royalties, for property, do go to a Schedule E."