The Internal Revenue Service has delayed plans to require millions of Americans to record Venmo, PayPal, and other third-party payment app transactions above $600 due to ‘confusion’ surrounding the controversial proposal.
The American Rescue Plan of the Biden Administration mandates enterprises to file a 1099-K form to consumers who received “gross payments for products or services exceeding $600.”
The earnings were already subject to taxation, therefore the bill aims to codify how they are recorded to combat fraud. However, the IRS delayed the rule’s effect by one year on Friday.
Acting IRS Commissioner Doug O’Donnell stated, “The extended time will help decrease uncertainty during the 2023 tax filing season and provide taxpayers more time to prepare for and comprehend the new reporting obligations.”
The new tax reporting standards compel e-commerce companies to provide the IRS with 1099-K tax forms for users whose revenue exceeds $600.
Under the existing law, this only applies to individuals with at least $20,000 in annual revenue and more than 200 transactions.
Users that fulfill the conditions receive a 1099-K tax form from the companies, and they must include the amounts when calculating their taxable income. Errors could result in an IRS audit.
Critics criticized the concept for introducing a new layer of bureaucracy to millions of Americans’ tax returns.
The new restriction applies only to business and side hustle transactions, so if you are giving money to a friend or collecting a one-time payment, the new rule probably does not apply.
When it comes to selling personal belongings online, the regulation will change so that you will only be required to record payments if you make a profit on items over $600, not if you incur a loss.
Therefore, if you are reselling a sofa for less than you originally paid for it, the new law will not apply to you.
According to the IRS, taxpayers who qualify under the new law would receive a 1099-K form from every third-party payment processors with whom they transacted business.
Concerns about the tax reform have been fanned by the assertions of Republican lawmakers that individuals who earned funds outside of company operations may be harmed.
If you sold a couch, resold tickets at the price you paid, or conducted extra work on the side, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may scrutinize you more closely, Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee said in a statement earlier this week.
Those who performed’side work’ would be required to record their income if it surpassed $600, as it falls within the scope of taxable income. However, taxpayers who earned money by selling a couch or tickets would not be affected if they did not make a profit.
PayPal has recently attempted to allay these concerns by stating that the average use of their platform or that of Venmo would not attract IRS inspection.
PayPal stated in a statement that this does not include paying relatives or friends back with PayPal or Venmo for dinner, presents, or joint trips.
PayPal advised, “For the 2022 tax year, you should use the amounts on your Form 1099-K when determining your gross receipts for your tax return.” The Internal Revenue Service will be able to cross-reference our report with yours.
»IRS delays new tax regulation on side gigs exceeding $600«