Anyone self-employed and in Section 8?

David · 2025-08-05T16:23:52+00:00

I currently have a Section 8 apartment and work part time as a delivery driver (Uber Eats, Doordash). This is considered self-employment as I am an indpend...

Hannah

Look on your housing authority’s website at the administrative plan to see what it says about how the self employment income should be calculated. Do you have proof that they’ve calculated it by net in the past? They may have the discretion to do the calculations that way. Start there.

Anthony

With HOTMA changes and the new administration, PHAs kind of have their asses puckered rn. And half of the pages regarding HOTMA have been 404’d by the current admin. If anywhere it says PHA MAY, then that leaves it up to them. Ask to see your HA’s admin plan and comb through that. It’s a PITA, but better to come armed with their own admin policies (which is what “PHA MAY” will cover).

Bossman

Anthony

ok, it took some digging but I found their page for "income and rent determination" policies on their own website, and it seems to use the HUD text verbatim. It clearly says "Business Expenses: Net income is "gross income less business expense""

6-1.F. BUSINESS INCOME [24 CFR 5.609(b)(2)] Annual income includes "the net income from the operation of a business or profession. Expenditures for business expansion or amortization of capital indebtedness shall not be used as deductions in determining net income. An allowance for depreciation of assets used in a business or profession may be deducted, based on straight line depreciation, as provided in Internal Revenue Service regulations. Any withdrawal of cash or assets from the operation of a business or profession will be included in income, except to the extent the withdrawal is reimbursement of cash or assets invested in the operation by the family" [24 CFR 5.609(b)(2)]. Business Expenses Net income is "gross income less business expense" [HCV GB, p. 5-19]. PHA Policy To determine business expenses that may be deducted from gross income, the PHA will use current applicable Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules for determining allowable business expenses [see IRS Publication 535], unless a topic is addressed by HUD regulations or guidance as described below.

I don't want to piss off my worker, but she herself said I could email her supervisor, so I think I will politely do so, as she didn't try to refute the specific text from HUD I sent her. She just said "it's gross" and left it at that.

CR7FanBase

Bossman

Absolutely do email the supervisor! I was a housing coordinator for several years and I never minded when someone emailed my supervisor as long as they were polite. I’m a human and make mistakes and at the end of the day, my tenants/clients and I had the same goal — get and keep them housed (affordably and safely!). Let us know how it goes!

David

What is the HOTMA Changes??

MaxRon

Sorry to hear this is happening. The only thing I can comment on is I believe you about the 'disconnect' between HUDS rules and the local housing authority..it seems a thing alright per my experience. Highly frustrating to say the least. I wish you luck.

Emilyrose

MaxRon

Yeah, I usually let it go when they get stuff wrong, such as in calculating income from assets. They’re very confused about that, but the impact has been minimal, so I didn’t make a fuss. I don’t want to make enemies there. But I may have to get in touch with my worker’s supervisor on this.

TheOG1

Llc to separate it from yourself and pay yourself a salary.

James

I reached out to the supervisor, with screenshots of the HUD site and the housing authority’s own site both saying business income is net, but I haven’t heard back yet. However, after that, my worker said she talked to her supervisor and they won’t count the fees Uber reports on our 1099s, but they will not take the mileage deduction. I really don’t understand how these people can just make it up as they go along with no interest in the federal (or their own!) rules. This is not the first time they have done so. If they really won’t take mileage, I’ll have some thinking to do about whether to continue driving for Uber.

I came across a thread on this sub about getting HUD involved in a dispute with a local HA. I’m hesitant to piss these people off, as they have been really uptight in all my interactions with them and I don’t want to make enemies, but I might consider that. My therapist also suggested contacting free legal aid if necessary…

ChamsterXC

I recommend you reach out to your congressperson's office, asking for clarity on the income calculations, and any insight they may have on your situation with the new confusion going on. Sry the housing person isn't more helpful. 🍀🤞🏽

CorusCartel

I believe you..I have assumed the very same thing too. I wondered what country road the worker is from? lol

Alexander

CorusCartel usually let it go when they get stuff wrong, such as in calculating income from assets. They’re very confused about that, but the impact has been minimal, so I didn’t make a fuss. I don’t want to make enemies there. But I may have to get in touch with my worker’s supervisor on this.

Emma

Alexander

Yes of course, it is treading lightly for this kind of thing..we certainly want to keep cordial as possible. People can be vindictive otherwise. I hope you get it fixed all this.