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?