College student doing internship received a 1099-NEC

[lorigardner2002]

My college son interned this last summer for NASA and he received a 1099-NEC.  Very confusing since he doesn't have a business to file a Schedule C for.  Please advise as we don't want him taxed as a business and if this was regular income, he probably wouldn't be taxed due to the amount received.  Thank you!

[NCperson · Accepted solution]

@lorigardner2002 -  if the 1099-NEC exceeds $400, then there will be self-employment tax (no different than the tax withheld for Social Security and Medicare had he been a W-2 employee)

in IRS parlance, if you are not a W-2 employee, you can be a very, very small business (receiving a 1099-NEC).  Don't let the word "business" throw you for a curve. 

if the amount of the 1099-NEC is under $14,600, there would not be INCOME tax, but there would still be SELF-EMPLOYMENT tax (if over $400) and a requirement to file a tax return,