I'm worried that the IRS won't know I'm reporting this NEC income, since TurboTax didn't ask for the "Recipient's TIN"--will the TIN be automatically linked with my SSN by the IRS? How can I get TurboTax to ask for my TIN?
Yes. Your Schedule C with your social security will link your return to your 1099-NEC. As a sole proprietorship, you are not required to have a TIN unless certain circumstances dictate it. You will use your SSN rather than your Employer Identification Number (EIN). The EIN for a sole proprietorship is generally used to file and provide information statements (e.g 1099-MISC or W-2 etc.)
Thanks for your quick reply! I opted not to file a Schedule C because I only have $605 in self-employment income and no expenses to report this year. So I just reported the 1099-NEC on the 1040 other income section. Is that still OK that it has a EIN on the form instead of my SSN? I assume the IRS has them linked together anyway...?
No. You have to report your self-employment income on Schedule C and you must pay SE tax on your income. This isn't optional.