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lmcard01
New Member

Why does TT treat 1099-Misc box 7 as self employment when I don't have a business and I'm not self employed?

I don't have a business and I am not self employed. I worked for two weeks as a camp counselor and got a 1099-Misc for $600 in Box 7. No other 1099-misc income. No business expenses. No other business income. TT is saying that this $600 is self employment income (Schedule C) and subject to SE tax. IRS says otherwise. IRS says: "If you're not an employee of the payer, and you're not in a self-employed trade or business, you should report the income on line 21 of Schedule 1 (Form 1040)." IRS further says: "You're in a self-employed trade or business if your primary purpose is to make a profit and your activity is regular and continuous." Obviously the activity in question is not "regular and continuous". But TT keeps saying I have a business just because of the 1099-Misc. Please see the following IRS discussion and resolve this apparent conflict between what the IRS says and what's happening in the Free File software. https://www.irs.gov/faqs/interest-dividends-other-types-of-income/1099-misc-independent-contractors-... This IRS discussion is in response to the question:

"Question
I received a Form 1099-MISC instead of a Form W-2. I'm not self-employed and don't have a business. How do I report this income?"

So how to I handle the 1099-Misc in TT so that it follows what the IRS says above? Thanks.



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1 Reply
MinhT
Expert Alumni

Why does TT treat 1099-Misc box 7 as self employment when I don't have a business and I'm not self employed?

If you receive a form 1099-MISC for being a camp counselor for one time with no intent to earn money, then you are not considered as self-employed and do not need to file a Schedule C.

In TurboTax, enter your form 1099-MISC and follow the interview and answer that this did not involve an intent to earn money. The amount will be reported as Miscellaneous income and will not be subject to Self-employment tax.

Please see the attached screenshot:


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