To be self-employed is not the same as being a business owner: A business owner is not required to be hands-on with the day-to-day operations of his or her company, while a self-employed person has to utilize a very hands-on approach in order to survive.
Question: How Does the IRS Define Being Self-Employed?
Answer: How do you know if you are self-employed according to the IRS? The IRS defines self-employed people who are required to file self-employment Social Security taxes as:
A sole proprietor that conducts a trade or business;
An independent contractor;
Member of a partnership; or
If you are otherwise in business for yourself.
Even if you have another job where you are employed full- or part-time, if you conduct business that classifies as self-employment income you may still be subject to self-employment taxes. In other words, regardless of other sources of income, if you have income from being self-employed, you generally must pay self-employment taxes.