Taxpayer asks:
Several elderly friends have asked me to help them with administratrive work in there home. I would probably do this on an ongoing basis and I am sure each would end up paying me more that $600 a year. I would report all of this money (Schedule C I think) but am concerned for the people I would be doing the work for. Do they have to issue a 1099 for the work I would do for them? Could I just report the money quarterly without ever getting a form from them and have it be legal, I don’t want to get them into trouble?
Taxgirl says:
If I understand it, you’re going to be kind of like a Girl Friday? Opening mail, paying bills, that sort of thing, at times that are convenient for you – and for a number of different people?
Assuming that you can’t be classed as a household employee (which I think you’re not if my understanding of your situation is correct), then there is no obligation for your customers to report payments made to you.
Forms 1099-MISC are generally issued when payments are made in the course of trade or business. Personal payments are not reportable. If your customers are making payments to you for services in much the same way that they would pay their hairdresser or a kid that occasionally mows the law, there’s no reason to submit a 1099 to you.
Again, this assumes that you’re self-employed and that you control how the work is done. A self-employed worker also usually provides his or her own tools and offers services to the general public in an independent business – which sounds like what you’re doing.
If, however, you could be classified as a household or other employee (which would result in a form W-2 issued to you), or if you’re performing services for your customer’s trade or business (which would result in a form 1099-MISC issued to you), that’s a different story. You can read more about household employees here.
I hope that helps. And good luck with your business!
Before you go: be sure to read my disclaimer. Remember, I’m a lawyer and we love disclaimers.
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