In the US it's a common term for what the IRS calls you, regardless of what you actually do. Own an S-Corp selling toothpaste? You are self-employed. Have a

In the US it's a common term for what the IRS calls you, regardless of what you actually do. Own an S-Corp selling toothpaste? You are self-employed. Have a sole proprietorship mowing lawns? You are self-employed. Have a C-Corp mowing lawns? You are an employee! But then your corporation has to pay taxes too.