The booming gig economy has made businesses like Doordash, Lyft, Uber, and Instacart household names. If you’re an Instacart delivery driver and have questions about your self-employment taxes, Instacart tax as a result of your work, or Form 1099-MISC, this article is for you.
Instacart customers select items online, such as groceries, that are available locally in stores. Once an order is placed through Instacart's mobile application or website, a personal shopper will physically go to the store to gather the items and deliver them directly to the customer's home. Services of this type were particularly popular during the pandemic, as were contactless delivery options.Whether you're new to Instacart or have worked there in a freelance or contractor capacity over the past few years, it's imperative to understand the changes made around IRS Form 1099 and how they apply to you. Use this great guide to learn where to find your Instacart Form 1099 and other pertinent information related to this essential form.
How To Get Your Instacart Form 1099
Starting in 2023, Instacart altered how it transmits the Instacart 1099 to freelancers and contractors. Instacart now emails Form 1099 directly to workers with the option of receiving this information physically by mail.
If you have not received this form, check your spam folder and double-check that the contact information you submitted is correct and complete.
Getting Form 1099 for 2021-22
If you worked with Instacart in 2021 or 2022, there is a different process of obtaining Form 1099. Instacart previously worked with Stripe Express to provide this form. Contact Stripe support if you need help accessing your 1099 forms from this era. They should be able to resend an email link that will give you access to these forms.
If attempts with Stripe support are unsuccessful, contact Instacart directly for assistance or log in to your Shopper portal for more information.
Updating Tax Information on Instacart
Freelancers and contractors who work with Instacart use the Instacart Shopper mobile application to perform their duties. You are able to update your tax information directly within the application if changes are required. If you cannot alter your tax information, contact Instacart for further assistance.
What if You Didn’t Get Your Form 1099?
You might not have received a Form 1099 from Instacart for a couple of reasons. It's possible that Instacart sent the form, but it was flagged as junk and redirected to your junk folder. It's also possible that you didn't make over the $600 threshold during the fiscal year, meaning you would not receive this form. Instead, Instacart would send IRS Form 1099-NEC.In this scenario, you would then use Form 1099-NEC to file your taxes and report your income.
Tax Preparation and Filing for Independent Contractors
As your career in the gig economy continues to grow, so will the complexity of your financial work. It's difficult keeping track of and keeping up with bookkeeping, transitions, income taxes, and other obligations while looking for every tax credit and deduction to reduce your taxable income. That's why many gig workers, freelancers, and contractors trust 1-800Accountant, America's leading virtual accounting firm, to help them through the quagmire of legal and compliance requirements.
Whether you need personal tax preparation, tax advisory, or any of our professional accounting services, we have the affordable solutions you need to ensure you remain compliant. Schedule a quick consultation–usually 30 minutes or less—to learn more.
Form 1099 FAQs
What is Form 1099?
Form 1099 is a series of tax forms commonly used by freelancers and contractors to report their non-W-2 income. While an employer would handle tax withholdings for their W-2 workers each pay period, non-employee contractors and freelancers are responsible for those withholdings. Businesses like Instacart will typically send the appropriate Form 1099 to freelancers and workers by the end of January.
Who needs to file Form 1099?
Workers who received income not from their employer, if they have one, are responsible for filing IRS Form 1099. The precise version of Form 1099 that you receive will depend on several factors, including income threshold. For example, if you made less than $600 during the fiscal year from a single source, such as Instacart, you will receive Form 1099-NEC.
How does Form 1099 affect independent contractors?
Form 1099 allows independent contractors to report non-employee income to the IRS. Submitting accurate tax filings by the deadline allows independent contractors to stay in good standing with the IRS while maintaining compliance.
When should Form 1099 be filed?
Freelancers and independent contractors will typically file their annual tax return and tax payments on April 15th, like most workers in America, around tax time. They are also responsible for calculating and filing quarterly taxes four times yearly.
What happens if you don’t file your Form 1099?
Shirking your tax responsibilities will lead to penalties and increased IRS scrutiny. IRS penalties aren't fixed and will continue increasing until the tax bill is paid or the penalties reach a certain ceiling. If you struggle to calculate or submit your tax bill by the deadline, engage experienced tax professionals who can help you.
This post is to be used for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, business, or tax advice. Each person should consult his or her own attorney, business advisor, or tax advisor with respect to matters referenced in this post. 1-800Accountant assumes no liability for actions taken in reliance upon the information contained herein.