Under which circumstances do personal services income rules apply?

The personal services income rules apply specifically when the income earned by an individual is primarily for their skills and efforts. This means the income arises from the personal exertion of the individual, reflecting their expertise, talents, or work done rather than from capital investments or passive income sources. Personal services income often encompasses earnings received from activities such as professions, trades, or other types of direct personal contribution to the work being performed.

In this context, the other options reflect situations that do not meet the criteria for personal services income. For instance, earning income from investments involves returns based on capital rather than personal skills or efforts, while income earned through passive means does not engage the individual's active participation or personal exertion. Lastly, income unrelated to professional services suggests that the individual is not providing any expertise or effort in generating that income, which is opposite to the essence of personal services income.