Need help with royalties

[billmcse]

I wrote a book and receive less than $50 in royalties per year. It is very unclear where I should report this. I've been told by some to file under Rental Property and Royalties, yet others tell me I should file under 1099-MISC in Turbotax. I do not write for a living, this was a one time project, I am not a self-employed writer. Under the 1099-MISC category there is a spot for royalties but it wants me choose from either of: natural resource or intellectual property OR being self-employed as a writer, inventor, artist. I don't really fall into any of these categories.

[MindyB]

From the information you provided, the income from the royalties received on the sales of your book should be reported on Schedule E, so you would choose the first option "Royalty investment income from a natural resource, intellectual property or other investment portfolio." Depending on which option you choose, the income will be reported on a different schedule on your tax return.  The first option, "natural resource or intellectual property" will flow to Schedule E, while the second option, "being self-employed as a writer, inventor, artist" will flow to Schedule C.

• Schedule E is used to report passive royalties.  Since you are not a writer and it does not seem that you are actively pursuing income from the book, this meets the definition of a passive activity.
• Schedule C is used for a business you operated with the primary purpose of profit, and that you are engaged in regularly.

Here are the instructions for reporting  How do I enter a 1099-MISC for royalty income?