Form 1099-K is an IRS form that reports the gross payments you received during the year for goods or services through payment cards (credit, debit, gift cards) or payment apps and online marketplaces. The IRS calls these "third party settlement organizations." The company fills it out and sends one copy to the IRS and one to you (IRS). The IRS lists "car sharing or ride-hailing platform[s]" among them, so Uber and Lyft drivers are the TLC drivers most likely to get one.
It is a report, not a bill. The tax comes from your income, whether or not a 1099-K arrives.
The figures (as of 2026-10-12)
- Payment apps and platforms: required when payments total over $20,000 in more than 200 transactions. "However, they may send you a Form 1099-K with lower amounts and/or transactions" (IRS).
- Why $20,000: the One, Big, Beautiful Bill "retroactively reinstated" the threshold that applied before the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (IR-2025-107, Oct. 23, 2025).
- Card processors: if customers pay you directly by card, you get one "no matter how many payments you got or how much they were for."
- Due date: IRS Publication 1099 lists January 31 as the date to give you your copy (Pub 1099).
Where it shows up for drivers
App drivers. The amount on a 1099-K is the gross that passed through the platform, which can be more than your payouts. TLC fills the gap with rule §59B-18(f)(7). If a High-Volume For-Hire Service must give you a 1099-K, it must also give you "the total mileage for trips covered by the Form 1099-K" and "an itemization of the items deducted from the gross amount reported on the Form 1099-K" (TLC Chapter 59). New York State asks Uber drivers for the Uber Tax Summary and all Forms 1099-K and 1099-MISC, and Lyft drivers for the year-end statement and all Forms 1099-K and 1099-MISC (NYS Tax).
Taxi drivers. A 1099-K goes to whoever the processor or app pays directly. A leased yellow cab driver is paid card money by the owner or agent. NYS asks taxi drivers for a Verifone or CMT meter statement instead. See do taxi drivers get a 1099?
Step-by-step matching: your 1099-K vs what you earned. Thresholds by year: will I get a 1099-K from Uber?. No form? You still report the income. More on the taxes hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Form 1099-K?
An IRS information return reporting payments you received for goods or services through payment cards, payment apps or online marketplaces (including ride-hailing platforms). A copy goes to the IRS and to you.
When must an app send me one?
When payments for services through it are over $20,000 in more than 200 transactions in the year. It may also send one for less. A card processor that pays you directly sends one for any amount.
Why is my 1099-K bigger than what I was paid?
It can report gross payments, not your take-home pay. TLC rule 59B-18(f)(7) requires app companies that issue a 1099-K to list the items deducted from that gross, and to give you the trip mileage it covers.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- IRS: Understanding your Form 1099-K irs.gov
- IRS Publication 1099: General Instructions for Certain Information Returns irs.gov
- IRS IR-2025-107: Form 1099-K threshold reverts to $20,000 irs.gov
- TLC Rule Book, Chapter 59 (§59B-18(f)(7)) nyc.gov
- NYS Tax: Checklist for taxi, limousine, and self-employed drivers tax.ny.gov
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the official source.
TLC Help is not a law firm and is not affiliated with the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission or OATH. Explanations on this site are general information, not legal advice. Legal representation is provided by independent attorneys and OATH-registered representatives in our network.