The 1099-K is an incredibly young form relative to the 1099 family (of which there are 15 different types of 1099 forms). This article seeks to cut through the confusion. Let's walk through the reasons an organization would file a 1099-MISC versus a 1099-K.

When would you send a 1099-MISC?

The 1099-MISC is used to report many different types of payments in the course of trade or business. For most platforms and marketplaces, Form 1099-MISC is generally used to report business payments over $600 independent contractors. For example, let’s say your business hired a team of freelance writers to create content for your company website. Each freelancer was paid over $600 throughout the year. Each freelancer will then receive a 1099-MISC reporting the total payments you made to them for their work. The key is that the services were provided directly to the business.

See more information about the 1099-MISC

When would you send a 1099-K?

A payment settlement entity (PSE) is required to file a form 1099-K. What exactly is a PSE? A PSE comes in two forms:

• Merchant Acquiring Entities (example: banks)
• Third-Party Settlement Organizations

This guide focuses on Third-Party Settlement Organizations as they are most relevant for the majority of company 1099-K form filers.

In general, a company must meet certain requirements to be considered a TPSO. Those requirements include:

• The establishment of accounts by a significant number of unrelated parties.
• An agreement between the organization and the sellers to settle payment transactions.
• The establishment of standards and mechanisms for settling the transactions.
• The organization's guarantee that the provider will be paid.

1099-K filing thresholds

The threshold for when a TPSO must send a 1099-K is remarkably high. A TPSO is only required to file a Form 1099-K when when reporting payments to a participating payee or provider of goods and services vendor or contractor that exceed both 200 transactions and $20,000 during the course of the year.

Do corporations receive form 1099-K?

Yes, they do. Unlike the 1099-MISC, the form 1099-K is sent to both individuals and corporations to report transactions. For example, an LLC that elects to be treated as a C-Corporation would not be sent a 1099-MISC but would be sent a 1099-K depending on the payor’s particular obligation.

Do tax-exempt entities receive a 1099-K?

Yes, also unlike the 1099-MISC, TPSOs must issue 1099-Ks to tax-exempt entities like non-profits.  

A 1099-K reports gross payments

One point of confusion for a lot of 1099-K filers and recipients alike is the reporting of gross payments. On the 1099-K, you’re required to report the gross payments which often includes how much was sent to a payee before any processing or platform fees.

See more information about the 1099-K

Important Caveats

Corporations don’t receive 1099-MISCs but they do receive 1099-Ks

Incorporated businesses like S-corporations and C-corporations don’t receive 1099-MISC. But, they do receive 1099-K’s as well as tax-exempt entities like nonprofits.

Credit card and TPSO payments

One important caveat to emphasize: credit card payments or payments to a contractor made using a third party settlement network (TPSO) like PayPal, fall under the rules of a 1099-K. So, returning to the above example, let’s say that you paid freelance writers with a company credit card. You do not need to issue them a 1099-MISC even if you paid them over $600. It’s the merchant acquiring bank’s job to send them a 1099-K if payments exceed both $20,000 and over 200 payments.