New Aid Package from Congress is Near Useless for Ebay Self-Employed?

[home2thesea]

I know a lot of people on eBay sell part-time or just for a side hustle and don't depend on it for serious money, but I do. I'm a full-time caregiver for an elderly parent who is too frail to be left on her own and my only way of making money has been to source items at thrift stores to sell online. I get an hour here or there to leave the house, no more. I haven't been selling long on Ebay but I've been selling clothing for a couple of years now on another site, which shall remain unnamed. This is my sole income.

Now, during the Coronovirus lockdowns (which may go on for 10-12 weeks) all thrift stores in my area have closed. I've already listed everything I have to list and my sales are slowing down as a consequence. We literally live sale to sale. If I make a sale, I get to go buy something we need at the store. I scrimp and save little bits to add up for utilities.

I was hoping that the aid package Congress is working on would be some help, but from what I'm reading, there's nothing in it for the self-employed, especially those surviving at the low end. If I'm lucky, I might qualify for the $1000 direct payment, but how do they expect that to last people for up to 3 months? 

[andrew547]

I don't know what they expect. The thing to do is call your Senator's offices and your District Representative.

Nothing has been decided yet. Last I heard they are working to pass the first of what is expected to be at least several direct aid packages. Maybe you have a shot at getting what you need if you make your voice heard. I suggest everyone else do the same.

And everyone who needs help but voted Republican because they were all puffed up about "self-sufficiency" and against people who need "handouts", well, maybe call twice.  Do it fast though. They are crafting these bills right now. Once they pass, that's it. Hope they thought of you...or they heard your voice when you called (which they will).

[mtgraves7984]

I haven't read the 'fine print', but I assume we won't qualify...

I pray that we will  keep our chins up... Godspeed!

[writertypes]

"... I assume we won't qualify...."

THAT IS your, my, our wisest assumption.

[m60driver]

Actually, if you have enough sales on Ebay to be issued a tax form then you might, depending upon state and how things get worded for the self-employed , be able to apply for unemployment.  But that also assumes you end all Ebay sales.

[home2thesea]

Thank you for that. It might help others to know this. 😊 Unfortunately, in my case, I only started selling on eBay at the first of the year. My main income for the last two years has been from selling on another large site and they, unfortunately, don't issue 1099s, nor do payments go through PayPal, which would have issued a 1099. I file a Schedule C, but I don't think that counts. Plus, as you say, you'd have to put your entire store on vacation or shut it down.

This is going to be a tough row to hoe for a lot of people! 

[gwzcomps]

That is the problem with having a job that doesn't have a predictable fixed income. Also regardless of whether you like it or not the government will just take that money back threefold when their want THEIR money back.

[mam98031]

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@mtgraves7984 wrote:

I haven't read the 'fine print', but I assume we won't qualify...

I pray that we will  keep our chins up... Godspeed!

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I think many here would qualify for the stimulus check.  It is highly likely it is going to be driven by the income claimed on 2018 tax returns.  So if your income is under a certain level you'd qualify for the check.   And if that is the way they do it, self employed people would be eligible if under a certain income level.  At least this is my guess.

[mam98031]

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@home2thesea wrote:

Thank you for that. It might help others to know this. 😊 Unfortunately, in my case, I only started selling on eBay at the first of the year. My main income for the last two years has been from selling on another large site and they, unfortunately, don't issue 1099s, nor do payments go through PayPal, which would have issued a 1099. I file a Schedule C, but I don't think that counts. Plus, as you say, you'd have to put your entire store on vacation or shut it down.

This is going to be a tough row to hoe for a lot of people! 

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Are you aware that you need to claim your income no matter if a 1099 is issued or not.  

A schedule C is a supporting document to your IRS form 1040.  You don't just file a schedule C by itself.  

Placing your store of vaca would have nothing to do with the stimulus check.

[angelno_11]

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@home2thesea wrote:

I was hoping that the aid package Congress is working on would be some help, but from what I'm reading, there's nothing in it for the self-employed, especially those surviving at the low end. If I'm lucky, I might qualify for the $1000 direct payment, but how do they expect that to last people for up to 3 months? 

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In a perfect world, how much would expect to receive from an aid package over the next three months?

[jda03121]

Helps those unemployed in 2018 not at all and those that don't file because they are under the filing minimum are out of luck as well.

[mam98031]

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@jda03121 wrote:

Helps those unemployed in 2018 not at all and those that don't file because they are under the filing minimum are out of luck as well.

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I think that would depend on why they weren't filing in 2018.  If they are on SS, there is discussions about helping them financially too.  

It isn't going to cover everyone and if that is what anyone is expecting, they are sure to be disappointed.  It will however help many people and is a place to start.  More work has to be done to help even more people.  But I sure don't want them to hold up this stimulus package until they come up with a plan to help even more Americans.  If they were to do that we won't see anything for months.

[mcdougle4248]

@home2thesea 

Have you checked with your Economic Development Department?   You might be able to get a lead  from them to apply for a business grant or no interest loan.

[southern*sweet*tea]

Here's a good article that explains a lot about employees, the self employed and unemployment benefits. It was updated yesterday, so it's current.

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/can-i-collect-unemployment-if-i-m-self-employed-2064148

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@home2thesea wrote: ... I was hoping that the aid package Congress is working on would be some help, but from what I'm reading, there's nothing in it for the self-employed ... 

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There's no point in speculating or debating about a policy that hasn't even been hammered out yet. There are a couple of very different possibilities. We have to wait and see what happens in the next few days.  If handouts are based on last year's income, then self-employment income (as reported on Schedules C and SE) would be included as income.