I work a 40hr/wk job as a desktop publisher for a printer. However, once a month I get paid $200 to format (DTP) a not-for profit ethnic newspaper. Does this make me "self-employed"? Should I be paying self employment taxes? Three years ago I got a 1099 from the newspaper ( I hadn't gotten one before or since). So for the last 3 years I've been paying self-employment tax. Considering the amount of time it takes (about 10 hours) if I'm "self-employed" then this is a discount rate. So if the average rate for the work I'm doing is $50 per hour, could I claim up to $200 in "return and allowances"? This is the only DTP I do outside of my regular job. I'm not soliciting other work for lack of interest or time. Am I missing something?

#1;unless it is reported on yourW2 but is reported on1099, it is self employment income

#2;aslongas the amount on Sch C line 29, 31 is $400 or exceeds $400 you need to file return , Sch C/SE aslongas the amount reported on Sch SE line 2, 3 is $400 or exceeds $400, then youmust fiel SECA tax however, you can deduct 50% of SECA tax on 1040 line 27 on your return. If you are filing as a sole proprietor and/or a self-employed individual, you generally have to make estimated tax payments if you expect to owe tax of $1,000 or more when you file your return.however, you do not have to pay estimated tax for the current year if you had no tax liability for the prior year; you were a U.S. citizen or resident for the whole year; your prior tax year covered a 12 month period

#3;it depends on the negotiation between the payee, yu and the payer I guess; the IRS is not related to this sort of situation.