For an individual to have self-employment coverage under social security, the individual must be engaged in a trade or business and have net earnings from self-employment that can be counted as self-employment income for social security purposes. The rules explaining whether you are engaged in a trade or business are in  §§ 404.1066 through 404.1077. What are net earnings from self-employment is discussed in  §§ 404.1080 through 404.1095.  Section 404.1096 describes the net earnings from self-employment that are counted as self-employment income for social security purposes. See  § 404.1913 for the effect of a totalization agreement on self-employment coverage. An agreement may exempt an activity from coverage as well as extend coverage to an activity.
     
    
        
            Code of Federal Regulations
        
        [50 FR 36574, Sept. 9, 1985]