I donated blood in exchange for money. they gave me a 1099 NEC form but it says I owe money, is this correct?

[afurgan16]

I gave my blood in exchange for money im trying to understand this

[Bsch4477]

The money you received is income and must be reported. 

[xmasbaby0]

If you received money you did not donate or "give" blood--you sold it.  You have taxable income.

[Hal_Al]

Q. TurboTax (TT) says I owe money, is this correct?

A. Yes, you owe income tax on that money, if your total income is high enough to be taxable. 

What you don't owe is self employment tax (SET).  SET is how the self employed pay their social security and Medicare tax.  TT assumes any money reported on a form 1099-NEC is self employment until you tell it otherwise (the blood bank shoulda used form 1099-Misc, not 1099-NEC). 

After entering your 1099-NEC, you will encounter a screen titled "Does one of these uncommon situations apply".  Check the box "This is not money earned as an employee or self employed individual; it is from sporadic activity or hobby".

Checking that box will put the income on line 8 of Schedule 1 as "other income" and not subject you to SET.