My question isn't about the difference of these two designations. My question is about the differences, if any, in filing. (Please don't share the link to the IRS definitions!) It seems that regardless of what one calls themselves--gig worker or self employed--all require filing a Schedule C. Is that correct? Or if someone has the gig worker income but not the business expenses for a schedule C, is there another way to file?
Correct. The tax issue is the same. Report income and expenses on Sch C.
SELF EMPLOYMENT INCOME/“side jobs”
If you have self-employment income for which you will pay self-employment tax for Social Security and Medicare, you will need to use online Premium software or any version of the desktop software download so that you can prepare a Schedule C for your business expenses.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2926899-how-does-my-side-job-affect-my-taxes
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/self-employed/help/what-is-the-self-employment-tax/00/25922
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2902389-why-am-i-paying-self-employment-tax
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901340-where-do-i-enter-schedule-c
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/3398950-what-self-employed-expenses-can-i-deduct
https://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/self-employed/self-employed-tax-deductions-
calculator-2021-2022-50907/
https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1901110-do-i-need-to-make-estimated-tax-payments-to-the-irs
If you live in a state with a state income tax, you might need to make estimated payments to your state.
https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/calculators/self-employed/
Thanks for your time and effort. I've seen you post this in related questions. I've been using Turbotax since the program was first developed, and have been filing schedule C's for 22 years. So I was aware of the links. My question was simply is there any difference, because gig working and self-employment are spoken of separately as if there is a difference in essence, which there is not. Both are simply non-employee income generated from some sort of work, whether that 'work' is creative talents, Uber driving, blogging, or working as an independent contractor professionally. I am grateful to the previous person who replied confirming these are treated the same in the tax form.
Happy New Year!