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921carpenter
Returning Member

Reporting income from a small business abroad with a spouse who is a non-resident alien

I live abroad (UK) and work for a UK company and claim the foreign earned income exclusion for my salary (I earn less than the exclusion). I am married to a UK citizen who is a non-resident alien. I file as “married filing separately” as we do not want to treat my spouse’s income as US income.  In 2024 we started a small at-home food manufacturing business in the UK. It made around $800 in profits in 2024  The business currently has no formal operating structure/legal framework.  Do I report the business on Schedule C?  If so, do I only report 50% of the income and expenses?  I know that I would have to pay self-employment taxes is profit is over $400.  I have enough room in my tax bracket/standard deduction to avoid ordinary income tax on the profits. My spouse and I will also pay UK taxes on the profits of this business.

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1 Reply
Vanessa A
Employee Tax Expert

Reporting income from a small business abroad with a spouse who is a non-resident alien

Yes, you would report the business income on Schedule C.

 

Yes, if this business is 50/50 with you and your spouse, then you would only report half of the income and expenses on your return.

 

 You are correct about having to only pay Self-Employment taxes if the amount is $400 or more.  

 

 To enter your self-employment income select the following:

  1. Federal
  2. Income and Expenses
  3. Show More next to Self-Employment
  4. Start next to Self-Employment
  5. Yes, to you have any self-employment income or expenses
  6. Enter the type of self-employment work you do and you can select that you use your name for your business
  7. Click through a few more screens and you will get to a screen that says "Your XX info"
  8. Click Looks good
  9. Then you will come to a screen that says Let's enter the income for your business.  It will give you the option of 1099-NEC or Other self-employed income including the 1099K , cash and checks.  Here is where you will enter the money you receive.
  10. If you do not select one, it will not let you enter your income
  11. Enter your self-employment income on the next screen
  12. Continue and on the next screen click add expenses

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