I have a 1099-MISC from working as an election judge but turbo tax is trying to report it as self employment income and it is not.

[MonikaK1]

If you enter Form 1099-MISC in the Less Common Income section and select Other Miscellaneous Income and the Other Reportable Income, you can enter a description and dollar amount for items that aren't subject to self-employment tax. 

If you received the payment as a stipend to offset your expenses, you could also report it in Other Common Income under Miscellaneous Income, Other Reportable Income and answer the interview questions and select that it was not earned with a profit intent (similar to a hobby).

Election workers are typically individuals hired by government entities to perform services at polling places in connection with national, state and local elections. These workers may be employed by the government entity exclusively for election work, or may work in other capacities as well. Compensation paid to election workers is includible as wage income for income tax purposes, and may be treated as wages for Social Security and Medicare (FICA) tax purposes. In such cases, a W-2 is normally issued.

See this IRS webpage for more information, as well as IRS Tax Topics 554.

[breadsofresh]

Under Other Taxable Income the instructions say to not enter if reported on a 1099 Misc. This is reported on a 1099 Misc. On my paycheck it's listed as a negative Less Exempt Wages. Still looking to find where to enter this 1099 Misc. thank you

[GeorgeM777]

Not sure what you mean by "it's listed as a negative Less Exempt Wages."  Are you an employee of the company that gave you the 1099-Misc?  Or, are you an independent contractor that was hired to do a job but you are not an employee of the person that paid you?  Follow-up with additional information so we can better understand your tax situation.  

Less assume you were hired to do a job but you are not self-employed, and not an employee of the person that paid you.  If that is true, then report your 1099-Misc in the section Other Common Income.  Other Common Income has an option specifically for Form 1099-Misc.  There are a few more screens to work through here versus the Less Common Income section; however, the screen(s) are more closely aligned with your Form 1099-Misc.  Please note that when working through the Other Common Income section, you will see a screen asking whether your 1099-Misc represents an intent to earn income/money, and while it may seem counterintuitive to select No, that is the response you need to select.  If you select Yes, TurboTax will report this income as self-employment income, and if you are not a self-employed person, the your 1099-Misc does not represent income from self-employment.  

If you are self-employed, then select Yes when you get to the screen asking you whether the 1099-Misc represents an intent to earn income.  A Yes answer will prompt TurboTax to treat you as a self-employed person and you can enter your income, along with business expenses where appropriate.  TurboTax will also prepare a Schedule SE (self-employment tax) based on your net business income.  

@breadsofresh