Senior companion paying self-employment taxes

Taxes
1

This year I started taking a senior adult out to run errands and for lunch and such. Initially it was as a family friend but now I have other seniors in the community as well. I am paid by either Venmo or check. I want to include it as self-employment income and pay the taxes myself instead of having the seniors or their families have to be responsible for it.

Since I do it on a regular basis, it seems like the IRS considers me a household employee from what I have read. The seniors decide where we go as far as errands and often lunch though I have input.

Can I just be a self-employed companion or do I have to get the seniors or their families to file the paperwork?

The total will likely be about $10,000 for the year.

Thanks!

2

I am not a lawyer, but I seem to remember this (which may or may not be true).

I remember hearing that if you give a ride to someone who pays you for the ride, you are similar to a taxi service and those services are regulated. Having one person might be ignored, but having multiple people at one time and/or all seperate might cause questions.

A quick look at Quora also seems to agree by some authors.