If I make money by selling stocks, am I self employed ?

richardvoss26 — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 20:19:40 GMT

Most of my income comes from Social Security.. It is not taxable.

Re: If I make money by selling stocks, am I self employed ?

xmasbaby0 — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 20:21:17 GMT

No, you are not self-employed. You have investment income and Social Security. You do not pay self-employment tax on investment income.

Re: If I make money by selling stocks, am I self employed ?

Vanessa A — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 13:37:39 GMT

No, you generally are not considered self-employed when you make money by selling stocks, unless you are doing something such as day trading. Then this income could be considered self-employment income.

To be engaged in business as a trader in securities, you must meet all of the following conditions:

You must seek to profit from daily market movements in the prices of securities and not from dividends, interest, or capital appreciation;

Your activity must be substantial; and

You must carry on the activity with continuity and regularity.

Otherwise, selling stocks would be considered investment activity and would be entered on Schedule D. You should have received a 1099-B from your broker which you will enter by selecting the following:

You would enter the 1099-B by selecting the following:

Federal
Income
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You said your social security is not taxable. This is true for some people, but it does depend on your total income. If your total combined income is over $25,000, then your social security does become taxable at up to 85%. So if your social security is $25,000 a year and you are profiting $20,000 in stock a year, your social security would be taxable income as 1/2 of your social security plus the $20k would be over $25,000.

Taxability of Social Security & SSDI

General Rule: Social Security benefits are not fully taxed. Depending on your "combined income," up to 85% of your benefits may be taxable.
SSDI Treatment: SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) benefits are treated exactly the same as regular Social Security benefits for tax purposes.
Thresholds for 85% Taxable:
- Single: Combined income above $34,000.
- Married Filing Jointly: Combined income above $44,000.
- Married Filing Separate: Benefits are taxable at 85% regardless of income level.
Thresholds for 50% Taxable:
- Single: Combined income between $25,000 and $34,000.
- Married Filing Jointly: Combined income between $32,000 and $44,000.
Calculation Formula: "Combined Income" is calculated as your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) + Nontaxable Interest + 1/2 of your Social Security Benefits.

topic If I make money by selling stocks, am I self employed ? in Self employed

If I make money by selling stocks, am I self employed ?

Re: If I make money by selling stocks, am I self employed ?

Re: If I make money by selling stocks, am I self employed ?