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TN 28 (03-99)

SI 00820.210 How to Determine Net Earnings from Self-Employment (NESE)

A. POLICY

1. Determining Monthly NESE

NESE is determined on a taxable year basis. The yearly NESE is divided equally among the months in the taxable year to get the NESE for each month.

2. Offsetting Net Loss

Any verified net losses from self-employment are divided over the taxable year in the same way as net earnings. Then each month's net loss is deducted only from other earned income of the individual or spouse in that month.

3. Deduction for Taxable Years After 1989

For taxable years beginning after 1989, a 7.65 percent deduction is applied to net profit in determining NESE. Therefore, net profit is multiplied by .9235 to determine NESE. (See SI 00820.220 for where to find the correct NESE amount on the Federal income tax forms.)

NOTE: This deduction recognizes, as a business expense, part of the Social Security taxes paid. If Social Security tax is not paid (e.g., in situations involving less than $400 per year in NESE, net losses, and when no tax return is filed), the deduction does not apply. The detailed earnings query (DEQY) and Schedule SE already reflect the .9235 adjustment.

4. Minimum/Maximum Amounts Creditable

NESE is earned income for title XVI purposes without regard to the minimum and maximum amounts creditable for title II coverage purposes.

5. Computing NESE/Title II Optional Method

The title II optional method of computing NESE for farm and nonfarm businesses CANNOT BE USED.

Only the actual net earnings are used in determining NESE for title XVI.

NOTE: This does not affect the availability of the option for the same individual under title II.

6. Exemptions from Coverage

NESE is earned income for title XVI purposes regardless of whether the earnings are exempt from Social Security coverage.

7. Partnership

Any distributive share (whether or not distributed) of income or loss from a trade or business carried on by a partnership is included in NESE, unless specifically excluded per
RS 01802.300 - RS 01802.375.

8. In-Kind Remuneration for Work

NESE may include in-kind income (e.g., food, clothing, shelter, a car, etc.). In-kind income from NESE is valued at its current market value (SI 00835.020).

B. PROCEDURE

1. Determining Monthly NESE

Divide the entire taxable year's NESE equally among the number of months in the taxable year, even if the business:

  • is seasonal;
  • starts during the year;
  • ceases operation before the end of the taxable year; or
  • ceases operation prior to initial application for SSI.

A period of less than 12 months may be a taxable year if:

  • the basis for computing and reporting income changes (e.g., fiscal to calendar year); or
  • the taxpayer dies (the taxable year ends on the date of death, and net earnings are computed as of the date of death.); or
  • the taxable year is closed by the Commissioner of IRS.

NOTE: An individual's taxable year is not ended when he/she goes out of business.

2. Offsetting Net Loss

Divide any verified net loss for a taxable year evenly over the months in the taxable year, and input the monthly loss to the system.

NOTE: The system subtracts each resulting monthly amount from the individual's or couple's other earned income (NESE or wages) in the same month.

This offset applies whether a couple filed a joint income tax return or separate returns, and regardless of which member of the couples listed below incurred the loss:

  • an eligible couple;
  • an eligible individual with an ineligible spouse;
  • two parents;
  • a sponsor and his/her spouse.

3. Work Expenses

If an individual is self-employed (whether or not he/she is also a wage earner), reduce his/her earned income by any allowable work expenses which have not already been used to compute NESE. (See SI 00820.545B.1. for necessary work expense development.)

4. Withdrawals for Personal Use

When an individual alleges (or you discover) that cash or in-kind items are withdrawn from a business for personal use, proceed as follows:

  1. Ask the individual whether the withdrawals were properly accounted for in determining NESE. That is, were they either deducted on the individual's Federal income tax return in determining the cost of goods sold or the cost of expenses incurred, or deducted on his business records?
  2. Accept the individual's allegation of whether the withdrawals were properly accounted for.

IF the withdrawals are . . . / THEN . . .
Properly accounted for / Do not charge them again as income.
Not properly accounted for /
  • Ask the individual to estimate the value of the cash or in-kind withdrawals. Deduct that amount from the cost of goods sold or the cost of expenses incurred on the profit and loss statement to arrive at the proper NESE.
  • If the individual cannot or will not provide the profit and loss statement, but alleges an amount of NESE, add the value of the withdrawals to the individual's allegation of NESE.
  • If an individual alleges withdrawals for personal use but cannot or will not estimate the value of the withdrawals, or if the individual's personal expenses exceed the stated NESE and no other income is available, develop for unstated income per SI 00810.035.

C. REFERENCES

  • Federal agricultural program payments, RS 01803.210
  • Property essential to self-support, SI 01130.500
  • Taxable year, RS 01803.040 - RS 01803.046
  • “S” corporations, RS 01802.015
  • Partnerships, RS 01802.300 - RS 01802.375
  • Minimum/maximum amounts creditable, RS 01801.001
  • Optional method of computing NESE, RS 01803.160 and RS 01803.180


SI 00820.210 - How to Determine Net Earnings from Self-Employment (NESE) - 09/07/2000

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