If you use third-party payment platforms, like PayPal, Venmo or Cash App, to collect payments for your side gig or business, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) wants to remind you to report payments of at least $600.
This rule is aimed at individuals who run a side hustle, small business or do part-time work. So if you're just sending money to friends for a restaurant bill or a vacation, or collecting a one-time payment for selling something online, this won't apply to you.
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Before 2022, third-party transactions for business owners and side hustlers followed different thresholds: individuals needed to report gross payments exceeding $20,000 and report earnings if they had more than 200 such transactions, according to the IRS. But as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act, any transactions made after March 11, 2021 that exceed $600 must be reported to the IRS, regardless of how many of those transactions you've had.
These earnings were already taxable so this is not a change in tax law, but rather just a reporting change.
In order to report these earnings and transactions, you'll need to file Form 1099-K. According to the IRS, you should receive this form from each third-party payment platform you received transactions through. If you incorrectly receive the form for personal transactions, the IRS recommends you contact the payment platform for a correction or to attach an explanation to your tax return.
How to prepare to file taxes as a business owner
Tax season already feels daunting for individuals, but if you're a business owner — and a new business owner at that — it can feel even more stressful. If you anticipate filing Form 1099-K for this year, make sure you keep an up-to-date record of your transactions, balance sheet and other financial documents. Otherwise, inaccuracies when filing could trigger an IRS audit.
It also helps to work with a professional bookkeeper or accountant who can help you get organized and make sense of your tax liability so you don't feel blindsided at the last minute. If you need to hire a professional, consider using a business credit card, like the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (see rates and fees) or The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card, so you can get rewarded for the business expense. The Ink Business card lets you earn 1.5% cash back on all business-related expenses and the Blue Business Cash card earns 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on the first $50,000 of purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter.
The Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is a flat-rate cash-back card with a strong intro-APR offer for purchases.
- Intro APR for purchases
- Valuable welcome bonus
- No annual fee
- You can't transfer rewards to travel partners without pairing it with another Chase card
- Has a foreign transaction fee
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
- Earn 5% total cash back on Lyft rides through 9/30/27.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card is an ideal fit for a growing business because it offers an intro APR for purchases and a generous cash-back rate.
- Valuable intro-APR offer for purchases for 12 months
- No annual fee
- Additional cash back is capped
- It has a foreign transaction fee
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 16.99% – 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on the first $50,000 of purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter. Cash back earned is automatically credited to your statement.
- From workflow to inventory to floor plans, your business is constantly changing. That's why you've got the power to spend beyond your credit limit with Expanded Buying Power*.
- * The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
- No Annual Fee. Terms Apply. Learn More.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
Refer to Terms and Conditions
Foreign transaction fee
2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
Select ranked TurboTax and H&R Block Self-Employed as some of the best tax filing software programs for small business owners due to their range of features, including reasonable costs, user experience and expert tax assistance.
TurboTax for Businesses
Price
Costs vary depending on plan
Businesses supported
S Corp, C Corp, partnerships, sole proprietors
Live support
Available for an additional charge
Terms apply.
Pros
- Fully integrates with QuickBooks
- TurboTax Expert Assist provides on-demand advice from a tax expert
- Accuracy and maximum refund guarantees
Cons
- More costly than other software programs
- Expert assistance costs extra
*Click here for TurboTax offer details and disclosures
H&R Block
Price
Price varies depending on plan
Businesses supported
S Corp, C Corp, sole proprietorships, partnerships, self-employed
Live support
Available with some plans
Terms apply.
Pros
- Unlimited on-demand chat or video support with Online Assist plans
- Over 11,000 branches nationwide
- 100% accuracy and maximum refund guarantees
Cons
- Pricier than many other options
- Speaking with a tax expert costs more for federal returns
Lastly, for more information about Form 1099-K, check out the IRS's frequently asked questions page.
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For rates and fees of The American Express Blue Business Cash® Card, click here.
