An activity may be considered work by the RRB, regardless of whether or not you receive compensation. Compensation includes salary, fees, commissions, gratuities, dividends, royalties, residuals, or any other sort of wages in kind. Compensation may also include a value in lieu of salary or wages, such as in the form of a commodity, service, or privilege.
An activity may be considered work regardless of whether or not a profit (gross or net) is achieved. Work may include activity:
- for any employer, regardless as to whether or not your employer is a spouse, other family member, friend, or yourself;
- even if it is considered only a hobby by the Internal Revenue Service;
- as a volunteer for a for-profit or non-profit organization;
- as an elected or appointed public official;
- for the U.S. military;
- in any agriculture-related activity (regular or seasonal), such as, but not limited to, farming crops or livestock, sale of timber, etc.;
- in a religious ministry;
- providing in-home services for a family member; or
- as a consultant.
"Work" also includes self-employment, regardless of the type of business entity and includes sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, Limited Liability Companies, or Limited Liability Partnerships that you own, operate, or participate in, whether for pay or not. (Refer to Chapter 9, Self-Employment.)