If you haven’t heard the small businesses’ tax monitoring affecting millions of gig workers has been delayed one year. Merry Christmas. The IRS admitted confusion around the new policy forced a year’s delay.
The 1.9 trillion-dollar Covid relief bill passed last year by congress includes a change to the IRS tax code that requires businesses to file 1099-K forms for anyone making more than $600 gross pay within a year.
This includes 3rd party sellers on Amazon and Etsy as well as Walmart, etc. This tax law has been around for a few years but now the IRS will be clamping down on it for gig workers. What about tax relief?
I’ve always been doing that for my freelancer workers throughout the years. Once they hit the $600/yr. threshold my company has to send out 1099 forms to inform the IRS of what I paid them.
And then I report it to my accountant for the company taxes.
But now from now on this applies to gig workers that work for places like Etsy, Uber, etc. Not only that but now the IRS will be requiring third-party apps to report on your earnings as well.
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How Will IRS Track Gig Worker’s Earnings?
The IRS will go through popular third-party platforms like Venmo, Paypal, etc. This rule is now aimed at those who have a side hustle, do part-time work, or have a small business.
To report these earnings you will have to fill out a form 1099K for this next season. You should receive it from Paypal, Venmo, etc. so you can fill it out and report on it. So any payments you receive on these apps, you will need to keep track of and register on.
Tax season can be tough for #gigworkers. Glad to see @Prudential's Jake Biscoglio speak with @USAToday about the particular challenges gig workers face and some ways we can help them.
— Jamie Kalamarides (@kalamarides) April 12, 2019
https://t.co/0ndwdjlkvI
What Else Changed For Small Businesses and Gig-Economy Workers?
This change means not only are workers required to claim this income on their taxes (as currently required) but any business that pays them, such as Uber (NYSE: UBER), Lyft (NASDAQ: LYFT), DoorDash (NYSE: DASH) and even marketplaces like Etsy (NASDAQ: ETSY), will be required to submit a 1099-K to the IRS on the individual’s behalf.
Under current law, payment organizations must only file a 1099-K form on behalf of a seller when total sales exceed $20,000 and/or transactions exceed 200 in a tax year. This started on January 1, 2022 (for monies made in 2021.)
What Happens To Businesses Like Etsy?
Will companies like Etsy lose business with these new regulations in place? Will the gig workers stay on or find work elsewhere? The gig economy as it was called exploded when Covid-19 sent many people to work from home. Many other people like wait staff who lost their jobs found gig jobs working from home.
These businesses will now have to keep track of payments to workers and have forms sent to them for the $600 threshold. This is something that they have not had to do in the past for gig workers.
Now, will these same people find work back at restaurants and other service industries? Will Etsy and Amazon lose much business if these gig workers stop working for them?
It is estimated it could cost these businesses collectively a billion dollars annually!
Examples of Gig Workers
Gig workers take on various roles across different industries. They include freelance writers, who craft articles and content for websites.
There’s also rideshare drivers, who use their own cars to give people rides through apps like Uber and Lyft. Many gig workers are delivery drivers, bringing food or packages to your door for companies like DoorDash or Amazon Flex.
Some are graphic designers, creating logos and visuals for businesses. Others are tutors, offering their knowledge and skills to help students improve in subjects like math or science.
These are just a few examples, but they highlight the broad range of work that gig workers do.
What Will Most Gig Workers Do?
With states relaxing covid-19 restrictions, many may find jobs back in retail or hospitality. Others have been quietly quitting over the past several years and others may continue to do gig work.
However, some may only work a side gig until they reach the $600 threshold.
Are Small Businesses Ready For Taxes and Preparation?
Say, for example, you sell something on eBay or Amazon for more than $600. You will have to report that as well. Or if you are on Airbnb the same would apply.
Now the IRS has everyone’s personal information. A tax expert warned that IRS penalties ‘can destroy a person’s life and said many gig economy workers wouldn’t be able to afford this sudden tax crackdown.
Don’t Miss Small Business Tax Deadlines
If you miss deadlines for filing taxes it could cost you $600 in fines. So plan ahead and be aware of the dates and deadlines for business taxes.
Hint: It’s not just April 15th! If you pay quarterly taxes your first ones are due around January 15, 2023.
The best you can do is hire a tax accountant and of course, that’s a write-off too as a business expense.
Your Turn: Gig Workers and New Taxes
Is your small business affected by the new laws? Or if you are a gig worker has it changed what you do? Are you happy to hear about the one-year delay of this new rule? Or are you a small business hiring gig workers?
I’d love to know more in the comments below.
Gig Workers Small Businesses Tax Monitoring Delayed 1 Year Share on X