Hello everyone,

I'm currently a F-1 student here. Last summer I helped my friends moved into the apartment complex where I lived. The leasing office paid me $700 as a referral bonus and now I received a 1099-MISC from them. The $700 is reported on Box-7. I know I'm supposed to report this part of income on Schedule C. However, this part of income might be considered illegal since I cannot work based on my visa status. (I really didn't expect it to be so complicated since I just purely did a favor to my friends and I split the money with them... ).

Someone suggested me to report this income on line 21 as other income and clarify it. If I do that, will I get a CP2000 from IRS and make this problem even worse?

Thank you very much!

You must report this income on schedule C-EZ or C (Form 1040). You do not pay SE tax on this income. Or you can directly report this as other income on 21.
I doubt, IRS will send CP2000 as they know it is nonresident tax return. Even if you get it, you still do not owe any tax. Send your reply.