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Level 1
posted Mar 16, 2025 1:37:42 PM

1099-NEC problem

I worked as a NYS Elections Inspector (at polling  place) and received a 1099-NEC form to claim the small amount I was paid. When I input the info in TurboTax it reads it as if I am a business. Instructions on back of the form says to claim it as "other income" but I can't bypass all the TurboTax questions on a multi-page worksheet that thinks I'm a business, thus I can't file my taxes. Help! 

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2 Replies
Expert Alumni
Mar 17, 2025 7:00:06 AM

To report this as income without reporting it as self-employment, you will need to delete the 1099-NEC you entered by clicking the trash can on the summary screen next to the 1099-NEC and then you can enter the income by selecting the following:

  1. Federal
  2. Income
  3. Show more next to Less Common Income
  4. Start next to Miscellaneous Income
  5. Start next to Other income not already reported on a Form W-2 or Form 109
  6. Answer Yes to Other Wages Received
  7. Yes to Any Other Earned Income
  8. Select other
  9. Enter Elections Inspector and the amount you received.

Level 15
Mar 17, 2025 7:52:28 AM

The other reply is a correct way to do it.  I  make one additional suggestion: Enter "Elections Inspector shown on 1099-NEC" and the amount you received.

 

There is another way that is usually a little simpler and automatically identifies it as 1099-NEC income. 

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 reported on a 1099-NEC" .