Introduction to the 1099-K

By Bill

Introduction to the 1099-K

The 1099-K is a new IRS information return for reporting electronic financial transactions to improve voluntary tax compliance. You should receive a 1099-K by the end of January 2012 if, in 2011, you received payments from merchant cards (e.g., debit or credit cards) or
third party payment networks (e.g., PayPal or Google Checkout) at or above our minimum reporting thresholds:

• Gross payments that exceed $20,000; AND
• More than 200 such transactions.

Report 1099-K Income
Report the gross receipts or sales from all business operations (including gross receipts or sales included in any amounts reported on Form(s) 1099-K.

If you get a Form 1099-K for amounts that belong to another person, or are a co-owner who may need to file a Form 1099-K or other information returns for other owners, check the General Instructions for Certain Information Returns.

Make sure the merchant card or third-party clearing house has your correct Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) by checking the TIN on Form 1099-K against the TIN you reported on Form W-9.

More Info
If you have questions about the amount reported, contact the filer (see the upper left corner of Form 1099-K). If you have questions about the merchant or third party transaction network, find the contact in the lower left corner of Form 1099-K.