Self-employed tax guide
What the 1099-NEC, 1099-K, and 1099-MISC each report, when they should arrive, and what to do if the numbers look wrong or the form never comes.
Published by Cadus Labs LLC · Last updated November 9, 2026 · How we write these guides
Based on IRS Form 1099 guidance for 2026 and the IRS pages on missing or incorrect forms.
A Form 1099 reports money paid to you other than wages. The company that paid you sends one copy to you and one to the IRS. Unlike a W-2, a 1099 usually means no tax was withheld, so paying it is up to you.
Getting a 1099 doesn't by itself decide whether you're an employee or a contractor, but it usually means the payer is treating you as a contractor.
These are the three self-employed people see most.
| Form | What it reports | When it's required |
|---|---|---|
| 1099-NEC | Payments for your services as a nonemployee | $2,000 or more for payments made in 2026, up from $600 for earlier years |
| 1099-K | Payments through a payment app or online marketplace | Over $20,000 in more than 200 transactions, though some states and platforms use lower amounts |
| 1099-MISC | Other kinds of income | Depends on the type of payment |
Forms 1099-NEC are generally due by January 31. For 2026 payments, that date falls on a weekend, so the deadline moves to February 1, 2027. Many platforms post them in your account around then.
A lower threshold for sending a form doesn't change what you owe. The IRS says you must report self-employment income even if it isn't on a Form 1099. Keep your own record of what each client or app paid you, and treat any form you get as a check against it.
Start with the company that sent it. Its contact details are on the form. For a 1099-K, the IRS says not to contact the IRS, because it can't correct the form.
File on time even if you're still waiting. The IRS says to report your income correctly, and if a corrected form arrives later with different figures, you may need to file Form 1040-X.
If a 1099-K includes money that isn't income and you can't get it corrected, the IRS explains how to show the error on Schedule 1 so that you don't pay tax on it.
Self-employment income goes on Schedule C, where your expenses reduce it to your profit. Schedule SE then figures self-employment tax on that profit. If you expect to owe enough, you pay estimated tax during the year. For 2026, the due dates are April 15, 2026, June 15, 2026, September 15, 2026, January 15, 2027.
Don't add up your 1099s and pay tax on the total. You pay tax on profit, which is why tracking expenses matters.
If you pay an unincorporated contractor $2,000 or more for work in 2026, you generally need to send them a Form 1099-NEC. Ask for a Form W-9 before you make the first payment.
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Enter your 1099 income and business expenses to estimate self-employment tax, federal income tax, and what to set aside each quarter. No sign-up, and nothing you type is saved.
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Estimate which direct contractor payments may need 1099 review, then keep W-9s, contractor records, expenses, and reports organized in Cadus.
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Use this contractor log to keep vendor payments, W-9 status, payment methods, and review notes organized before year-end filing decisions.
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Bill a project, a milestone, or your hours. Edit the sample lines, add your details, and download a PDF to send your client.
Self-employment tax guide
The self-employment tax rate is 15.3%. See who pays, how the 2026 wage base works, the deduction for half the tax, and a worked example.
Gig driver tax guide
What DoorDash, Uber, Lyft, and Instacart drivers report and deduct: 1099 forms, 2026 mileage rates, quarterly taxes, and the records to keep.
Estimated tax guide
2026 estimated tax due dates, who has to pay, how to avoid the penalty, and a worked example for a self-employed worker earning $60,000.
A 1099-NEC reports what a business paid you for services. A 1099-K reports payments that went through a payment app or online marketplace.
Yes. Self-employment income is reportable whether or not a form was issued.
Contact the company that issued it and ask for a corrected form. If you can't get one in time, file on time and report your income correctly.
No. A W-2 reports employee wages with tax withheld. A 1099 reports other payments, usually with no tax withheld.