930.Are services performed by vendors of newspapers and magazines covered by Social Security?

If you sell newspapers or magazines, your services are not covered by Social Security if:

  1. The magazines or newspapers are sold:

    1. To the ultimate consumer; and

    2. At an arranged fixed price; and

  2. Your pay is the difference between the fixed selling price of the newspapers or magazines and the amount at which they are charged to you whether or not:

    1. You are guaranteed a minimum wage for your services; or

    2. You are entitled credit for any unsold newspapers or magazines which are turned back.

If you are age 18 or over, your work is covered by Social Security as “self-employment” under a special provision of the law.

If you are under age 18 and you work in an independent capacity and not as an employee, the work may be covered by Social Security as self-employment.

Last Revised: Jun. 30, 2004