What's the difference between self-employment income and other income?
by TurboTax • 
Updated December 22, 2025 12:06 PM
There are some major differences between them.
Self-employment income:
Money you earn as a contractor, consultant, freelancer, or other independent worker
It's reported on 1099-NEC (Box 1), 1099-K (Box 1a), or as cash, check or credit card sales transactions
Requires you to complete Schedule C
You can deduct expense related to the income
Requires you to pay self-employment tax
Other income:
Money you received from something like a prize, award, lawsuit settlement, etc.
It's most often on a 1099-MISC (Box 3)
You report it on Line 8 of Schedule 1 of the Form 1040
