Am I eligible for unemployment?

Question

My husband retired and I opened a game room in 2002, my husband died in 2003 and I closed the business in 2004. I filed our income tax and paid the tax on my business but I don't think the accountant listed any self employment tax. Can I still qualify for unemployment? Because my husband died and they told me I could not draw his SS until I am sixty and one half yrs old or is it too late. ? I really need the money and I broke my ankle last year and if I stay on my feet very long my ankle gets swollen and sore, I am 55 yrs old.

Answer 1

Self-employment (even if you made enough to pay SE tax) doesn't count towards unemployment.  Even if this had been a W-2 job, it needed to be 2007 income.

Answer 2

You couldn't draw unemployment based on 2004 income under any circumstances.

Answer 3

Self-employment income does not qualify for unemployment compensation.  If you held a W-2 job for at least 6 months in the past 12 months you might be eligible.  Otherwise income from 2004 would not qualify for unemployment coverage today even if it was wages from a W-2 job.

Answer 4

No, you aren't eligible for unemployment.  Your accountant SHOULD have showed self employment tax on your return if you operated your own business and had over $400 of net income for the year, but that would be for social security and medicare, and would have nothing to do with unemployment anyway. Unemployment is a separate tax paid by the employer.  A self employed person is not eligible.  2004 income wouldn't count anyway for unemployment, it has to be sufficient income to qualify, within the last year.

Unless you are considered permanently disabled or are raising his minor children, you can't get ss on his benefits until you are 60.  

Good luck.

Answer 5

You aren't eligible for unemployment as you were not an employee. Your tax guy should have considered self-employment tax. You might see if you can qualify as disabled and for SSI. Contact Social Security check this link http://www.ssa.gov/disability/ to get an idea if you qualify.