1099 Form Changes 2026: What Taxpayers Need to Know

Whether you're a business owner, independent contractor, or gig worker, understanding these changes now will help you prepare for the 2026 tax year.

Filing requirements and deadlines vary by form and by tax year — the article below lists the exact filing requirements and key dates for both the 2025 and 2026 tax years so you know when to furnish recipient copies and when to file with the IRS.

The One Big Beautiful Bill, enacted in 2025, makes two headline changes to information return reporting for tax year 2026: it raises the reporting threshold for Forms 1099‑MISC and 1099‑NEC from $600 to $2,000, and it restores the Form 1099‑K threshold to $20,000 and 200 transactions (reversing the proposed $600 reporting trigger).

These new reporting thresholds aim to reduce filings for small payments while keeping taxable income rules unchanged.

For tax year 2025 (forms furnished in early 2026) filers should follow the pre-change thresholds and standard deadlines — e.g., 1099‑NEC recipient copies generally furnished by Jan 31, 2026.

For tax year 2026 (forms furnished in early 2027), use the updated $2,000 threshold for 1099‑MISC/NEC and the $20,000 & 200 transactions rule for 1099‑K — e.g., 1099‑NEC recipient copies generally furnished by Jan 31, 2027.

With higher reporting thresholds, businesses will need to issue significantly fewer 1099 forms. The House Ways and Means Committee estimates these changes will eliminate more than one-third of all 1099-MISC paperwork. For small businesses that make numerous small payments to vendors and contractors, this means less time spent on tax documentation and filing.

Each 1099 form requires time to prepare, review, and file. By reducing the number of required forms, businesses can save on administrative costs, including staff time, software expenses, and potential penalties for incorrect filings. These savings can be especially meaningful for small businesses with limited resources.

The return to the original 1099-K threshold ($20,000 and 200 transactions) provides relief for millions of gig economy workers. Those who earn income through platforms like Venmo, PayPal, or rideshare apps won't receive 1099-K forms for smaller amounts. This simplifies tax filing for casual sellers and part-time gig workers.

Starting in 2027, the $2,000 threshold for 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC forms will be adjusted annually for inflation. This ensures the reporting requirements remain reasonable over time, unlike the previous $600 threshold that remained unchanged for decades despite inflation eroding its value.

Key filing dates — quick reference

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