I work full-time with college students but have a construction background. My schedule gives me the time to do small side projects, especially in the summer. I'm on "retainer" for a friend of mine to do odd jobs around his house (replace an outlet, install garage door opener, change out locks, etc.) and at his family's business (painted some rooms, install some flooring). In 2014 he paid me $3000. I was also approached by a friend of a friend to replace cabinets/flooring in a kitchen. I was paid about $5000.

My question: If I'm not licensed/insured/bonded, and I don't advertise, am I a self-employed contractor? Or is this considered other miscellaneous or "hobby" income? I'm not sure if I need to complete a Schedule C or if I can just select "other misc income" as I do my taxes.

I never thought there was a difference in the bottom line until I just saw something that made me wonder if I was choosing a costlier path. I just saw a question in my online tax website asking me if I wanted to enter the "deductible part of self-employment tax". Should I fill out a Schedule C in order to be able to deduct part or myself employment tax?

Thanks.

Whether you are licensed as a contractor or not, you ARE engaged in self-employed activities and are legally obligated to report the income you received on Schedule C, deduct the proper and necessary deductions, and pay the appropriate taxes. This is required even if you never received a Form 1099-MISC.

Is there a net difference between Schedule C income and listing income as "other"? I've always listed those side jobs as "other income", commented that it was misc odd jobs for family/friends, and paid the necessary tax.

Figure your taxes both ways, because it depends. If you have enough contractor deductions (tools, part of your vehicle, etc), it's worth it. And you have the software in front of you.

Using the "other income" option on Line #21 of Form 1040 is okay if the total income is less than $400.

If it is greater than $400, use of Schedule C is mandated.

OP got away in the past years with stating that his misc income on his 1040 was 'odd jobs for family and friends' and I guess it was acceptable as hobby type income.
I suppose that 8,000 is a bit high for that.