LEGAL DISCLAIMER: StartPlaying does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any tax services.
What is a 1099?
1099 forms are United States federal income tax information forms used to report earnings and proceeds other than wages, salaries, and tips (which are reported on the federal W-2 form).
The forms are filed with the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and, if required, state tax departments.
StartPlaying specifically issues 1099-NEC forms. For more information on this type of form, please visit the IRS website.
Do I get a 1099 if I'm a GM on StartPlaying?
You will only receive a 1099 if you are based in the US (or are a US taxpayer registered as being in the US) AND you earn $600 or more in a calendar year through StartPlaying.
How will I receive my 1099?
Stripe, our payment processor, will send you your 1099.
To securely e-deliver your 1099, you will need to:
Sign up for Stripe Express (you will receive an email from express@stripe.com about this)
Claim and verify your accounts
Provide e-delivery consent
If you do not consent to e-delivery, Stripe will send you a paper copy. You will also have the choice to request a paper copy of your 1099 within Stripe Express.
When will I receive my 1099?
If you are eligible for one, your 1099 will be sent to you by January 31st, 2024 (note: paper forms delivered by postal delivery might take up to 10 additional business days).
Starting November 1st, 2023: Stripe will email you instructions on how to set up e-delivery and create a Stripe Express account. If you haven’t already, you’ll need to complete these steps to access your 1099 tax form electronically.
Before mid January: Confirm your tax information (e.g., name, address, and SSN or EIN) is correct via Stripe Express.
By January 31st, 2024:
Your 1099 tax form will be available to download through Stripe Express.
Your 1099 tax form will be mailed to you if you don’t receive an email from Stripe or don’t consent to e-delivery. Please allow up to 10 business days for postal delivery.
StartPlaying will file your 1099 tax form with the IRS and relevant state tax authorities.
April 15, 2024: IRS deadline to file taxes. You’ll need your 1099 tax form to file your taxes.
What is Stripe Express?
Stripe Express allows you to update your tax information, manage tax forms, and track your earnings. If you’re a GM on StartPlaying and earned $600 or more (within the calendar year in the US), Stripe will send an email inviting you to create an account and log in to Stripe Express.
What do I do if I'm not a US resident?
If you are not a U.S. citizen or US taxpayer, then you will need to look at your government's local laws for self-employed taxes. You can export your payout data from the "Payouts" page to calculate your yearly income from StartPlaying.
What if I am a US tax payer registered as being in another country with Stripe?
Stripe will only issue 1099 forms to connected accounts registered as being in the United States. If you are a U.S. tax payer registered as being in another country, please consult with a tax expert in your area about the best way to manually file your taxes with the IRS.
What if my country requires an invoice?
Some countries, like Germany, require an invoice if you are being paid as a contractor. Exporting your payout information and submitting that seems to fit those government requirements!
If you need help downloading your Transaction History CSV:
Go to your "Payouts" page
Click the blue "Download CSV" button
Does StartPlaying withhold any funds for taxes?
StartPlaying does not withhold any funds for taxes! You will need to set aside the amount for your taxes yourself.
Are the Support Goblins tax experts?
Absolutely not, most of us majored in theater (which is just role playing with extra steps).
If you have questions about your specific tax situation, please (and I cannot stress this enough) consult with an accountant or other licensed professional and not a theater major.