Last year I was a full time student and also during that time I worked as a T.A and consequently have the W-2 with that income and also as an independent contractor (i have the 1099 MISC which corresponds to that income). As I understand it even though my total gross income is below the minimum required to file a return ($8,200) I am still required to file because of the non-employee compensation in the 1099. I was wondering if there is any other way I could file this income (possibly taking into consideration that I was also a full time student) besides Self-employment Income so that I am not required to pay the self employment tax (which is pretty substantial) since my total gross income is below the minimum required or because I was a full time student?

Because you are a student, you MAY be exempt from SE tax, depending on the nature of work you did for the income reflected on Form 1099.

I would need to see the W-2 and 1099. E-mail me at dpmtax@<hidden> and send a scanned copy of each to that address.