Cambiaron las reglas del 1099: lo que deben saber los independientes y dueños de negocio para 2026

If you're self-employed, drive for an app, sell online or run a small business, the 1099 rules just changed in a big way. Fewer forms will be sent. That sounds like good news, but it creates a trap many people will fall into this season.

Change 1: The 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC threshold is now $2,000

For payments made in 2026 and later, businesses only have to send a 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC when they pay a contractor $2,000 or more in a year. The old threshold was $600 and had been in place since the 1950s.

Change 2: The 1099-K threshold is back to $20,000

Payment apps and platforms like PayPal, Venmo business accounts, Etsy, eBay and Uber only have to send a 1099-K when you receive more than $20,000 and more than 200 transactions in a year. The planned drop to $600 was permanently cancelled.

The trap: no form doesn't mean no tax

All income is taxable, whether you get a 1099 or not. If a client paid you $1,800 and you didn't get a form, you still must report it. The IRS matches records, and unreported income can lead to penalties and interest.

Remember that self-employment tax (15.3% for Social Security and Medicare) applies once your net self-employment earnings reach $400.

If you're a freelancer or gig worker

•         Track every payment you receive, not just the ones with a 1099

•         Keep receipts for business expenses to lower your taxable profit

•         Log your business miles (the 2026 IRS rate is 72.5 cents per mile)

•         Pay quarterly estimated taxes to avoid underpayment penalties

If you're a business owner who pays contractors

•         Collect a Form W-9 from every contractor before you pay them

•         Use the new $2,000 threshold for 2026 payments

•         Send 1099-NEC forms to contractors by February 1, 2027

•         Plan to e-file through the IRS IRIS system, since the old FIRE system is being retired

Bonus for business owners

The new law made 100% bonus depreciation permanent, and the Section 179 expensing limit rose to $2.5 million. If you're planning to buy equipment, talk to us before year-end.

Get your books tax-ready

Clean books make tax season easy. JVM Accounting offers bookkeeping, QuickBooks setup, payroll and business tax preparation for Jacksonville small businesses. Book a consultation at jvmaccounting.com or call (904) 889-2326. Se habla español.