My son, 14 was a soccer referee. He made less than $1k and was given a 1099K. When I try to help him file I am asked if this is a hobby or an independent contractor?

[tweetybirdgrl]

How do I determine if hobby or independent contractor?  I mean he’s a teen and no formal business, but clarification is lacking.

[MayaD]

Per IRS: A hobby is any activity that a person pursues because they enjoy it and with no intention of making a profit. People operate a business with the intention of making a profit.

IRS.gov

If your son is considered independent contractor, follow the steps below to report the income:

How do I enter a 1099-K received as self employment income in TurboTax Online?

For Hobby income check: Do I have to report hobby income?

[Opus 17]

Well firstly, it should have been a 1099-MISC or 1099-NEC.  But moving on,

Your son is self-employed if this is an ongoing trade or business.  Is this something he did with the intent of earning money?  Does he do it on a regular basis?  Does he search out work opportunities, take training courses to keep up to date on rules, and do other activities that suggest this is an ongoing compensation for work he is performing.  Or was it a one-off thing, not done with a profit motive, that he probably won't be doing again.

He can be considered self-employed if the facts fit, there is no bottom age limit.  If he is self-employed, he may be able to deduct ordinary and necessary expenses, such as training and uniforms.  He would pay self-employment tax on the net profit, even though the amount is too low to pay income tax (unless he has other income).