1216. Is rental income counted as earnings?

Income you receive from renting rooms or apartments does not count for Social Security purposes unless you provide personal services for the convenience of the occupant.

Income you receive from renting property for business or commercial use, such as a store, factory, office space, etc. is usually excluded from earnings from self-employment. However, if you provide services primarily for the convenience of the tenant beyond those usually provided with rental of apartments or other space for occupancy only, rental income may be counted as earnings.

Last Revised: March, 2001