Directed to NJ, US hosts

[Pat283]

Re:  NJ Pandemic Unemployment Support.

I’ve been having trouble getting approved.  
They’re telling me renting space via AirBnB doesn’t qualify as self-employed.  

They know I’m not employed by AirBnB, but rather that it’s a platform for which I pay a fee per use.  

Also, my State Senator told me people earning livings via Uber and Lyft ARE getting help under NJ PUA.  

Ideas?  Cases where AirBnB hosts have gotten PUA support to help me advocate for myself?  

[Helen3]

I don't know about the US, but in the UK Airbnb is seen as, and of course is running a business, so would not count as being self-employed. @Pat283 

That is different from those working for Uber who are contracted on a self-employed basis.

So we are treated like any other business in the hospitality sector sadly, many have gone bust (certainly over here). Businesses are expected to keep some of their profits aside to cover times when business is slow. Of course these are unprecedented times which businesses could not have foreseen.

Some hosts have moved over to long term rentals or rent short term to hospital and other key workers. Some have taken out mortgage breaks. Some have got temporary jobs. Is this something you have looked at?

I do hope you find a way of supporting yourself/reducing your costs during Covid.

[Lorna170]

I assisted several of my friends (self-employed contractors) through the application process in several states, NJ included.  Firstly, are you employed elsewhere or is renting your property your only income?  Do you file and pay self-employment taxes on the income?  If you are reporting it as passive income via a Schedule E, then you are probably not meeting the self-employed criteria.  If you want to receive future benefits,  talk to a tax advisor about restructuring your business.  @Pat283 

[Pat283]

@Lorna170.   

Thank you for your input Lorna!  Rental is my only income for now, but obviously developing other income stream opportunities, including Freelance Copywriting.  Strong STEM R &D, education and outreach training/experience, in addition to all my hospitality/customer service experiences via AirBnB. I suspect you're right, that the rub may have been past business structure.  I'm a registered simple NJ biz now.  Just the freebie proprietorship variety... will talk to my tax dude.    Thanks again for taking the time to advise!  Really kind of you!  🙂

[Mark116]

@Pat283  Yes, my understanding is if the income has been reported as rental income then you aren't eligible for unemployment, it's different from Lyft or Uber because that is reported as earned income v. rental passive income.  You would have to report the income as personal earned income and then you would need to pay SS tax and other taxes, you might also need to make the Airbnb an LLC, but I'm not sure on that.

[Carol6075]

It is the way you answer question 7 7a 7b. 7 - put yes, 7a put no , 7b

[Carol6075]

7b put abnb, the amount. You will get it. They couldn’t figure any other way to pay you but they want to. So you are saying you worked at non self employment . It’s legal. They want you to answer that way.

they even have instructions how to apply in your situation.