Form 1099 for Rental Income: Overview

Updated on April 10, 2024 - 10:30 AM by
Stephanie Glanville, TaxBandits
Stephanie

Written by Stephanie Glanville

Stephanie Glanville is the Marketing Manager of TaxBandits. She has several years of experience with IRS tax forms and the funtionality of TaxBandits. With a passion to help business owners better understand their IRS tax forms and filing, she aims to create content that is valuable and informative.

Managing rental properties involves various responsibilities, from leasing to maintenance. One crucial aspect of property management is tax filing, and recent changes in the IRS's 1099 requirements for rental income have added complexity to the process. Whether you're a landlord, property manager, or tenant, understanding these changes is essential to staying compliant with tax regulations. In this article, we will explain what are the things you should know about
1099 forms and their new 1099 rental income filing requirements.

1. New 1099 Requirements for Rental Income 2024

Rental income can be collected in several ways, such as through online payment apps (PayPal, Venmo, Cash App) or traditional methods like cash or checks from tenants. Until 2022, rental income received through payment apps needs to be reported only if the total gross payment received exceeds $20,000 in a year. This threshold was relatively high, and many landlords didn't meet it. Additionally, some reported income might be classified as gifts or money transfers from friends and family, which are typically non-taxable.

Rental income can be collected in several ways, from traditional transactions like cash or checks to the use of online payment platforms such as PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App.

As of 2022, reporting rental income received through payment apps was mandatory only if the total gross payment exceeded $20,000 in a year. Notably, the IRS had reduced this threshold to $600 for the 2023 tax year. However, there was a delay in implementing this change, and the previous threshold of $20,000 with 200 transactions was maintained for the 2023 tax year.

Looking ahead to the 2024 tax year, the IRS is planning to adjust the threshold for reporting Form 1099-K further. The proposed threshold for 2024 is set to decrease to $5,000 in a year.

This means landlords, property managers, and tenants will receive Form 1099-K from the payment settlement entities (Venmo, Paypal, etc) for rental income over $20,000 received through online transactions during the year.


2. 1099 Forms for Tenants, Landlords, and Property Managers

Form 1099 is a tax form used to report various types of income that are not related to traditional employment. Here's how it applies to tenants, landlords, and property managers:

Form 1099-MISC:

This form is used to report miscellaneous payments, including rents. Tenants who pay $600 or more per year as rent to the Landlords are required to provide a
Form 1099-MISC and report this income to the IRS.

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Note: Form 1099-MISC should only be filed by commercial tenants, as their rent is considered a business expense. Conversely, individual tenants are not required to file Form 1099-MISC.

Example: If a small business rents office space in your building and pays you $800 per month, totaling $9,600 for the year, the small business will issue a Form 1099-MISC to you at the end of the year.

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Form 1099-K:

This form is used to report payments made through online transactions, such as payment cards, online payment apps, and online marketplaces. Landlords and property managers who receive $20,000 or more in rental income through online transactions will receive Form 1099-K from the respective payment settlement entities.

Example: If a tenant pays their rent of $1,800 per month using PayPal, and the total for the year is $21,600, you will receive a Form 1099-K from PayPal at the end of the year.

Form 1099-NEC:

This form is used to report non-employee compensation to the IRS. If you hire an independent contractor for services related to property management or maintenance and pay them $600 or more during the year, you are required to issue a Form 1099-NEC.

Example: If you hire a contractor to repair a plumbing issue and pay them $800 for the work, you must issue a Form 1099-NEC to report this payment to the IRS.


3. What are the 1099 filing requirements for Tenants, Landlords, and Property Managers?

Understanding when and how to use 1099 forms is essential for tenants, landlords, and property managers. Before
filing a 1099, it's crucial to request a Form W-9 from the respective recipient, as this provides the necessary tax information needed for accurate reporting.

Tenant:

If rental income is paid through cash or check, tenants are required to
file Form 1099-MISC for the landlord or property manager. A copy of Form 1099-MISC should also be filed with the IRS before the deadline. If rental payments are made through online platforms like PayPal or Venmo, the payment processor will file Form 1099-K for the landlord or property manager.

Landlord:

Landlords will receive a Form 1099-K if they collect rental income through a payment processor or a Form 1099-MISC if they collect payments via cash or check. Additionally, if landlords hire outside contractors for maintenance or other services related to the rental property and pay them over $600, they should
file a 1099-NEC to report these payments.

Property Manager:

Property managers who handle rental payments and hire contractors on behalf of landlords are responsible for filing Form 1099-MISC and Form 1099-NEC, respectively, if payments are made through cash or check. If payments are received through online transactions, they will likely receive Form 1099-K from the payment processor.


4. How Rental Income is Taxed?

Rental income is subject to taxation. All rental income, regardless of the source, must be reported to the IRS at the end of the year. This includes income received from renting out a property on a monthly or yearly basis.

To determine your taxable income, subtract allowable tax deductions from your total rental income. Tax deductions may include expenses like mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and depreciation. The remaining amount after deductions is considered your taxable income, and it will be taxed at your current income tax rate.

For example, if you rent a property for $1,000 a month to someone, you would be receiving 12,000 a year. The gross amount minus the allowable tax deductions is your reportable tax income and will be taxed at your current
income tax rate.

Apart from regular rental income, other sources of taxable income may include fees for services such as parking, deductions from tenant deposits for damages, lease cancellation payments, or tenant-paid owner expenses.


5. What are the Incomes Considered as Rental Income?

Rental income includes any payments you receive from tenants in exchange for the use of your property. This can encompass a variety of payments, such as:

Monthly Rent:

The most straightforward form of rental income is the monthly rent payments made by tenants to landlords.

Security Deposits:

Security deposits collected from tenants to cover potential damages can also be considered rental income if they are not returned to the tenant.

Additional Fees:

Any extra fees charged to tenants for specific services or amenities, such as parking fees, pet fees, or late payment charges, are considered rental income.

Lease Cancellation Payments:

If a tenant terminates their lease early and pays a fee for doing so, this fee is also considered rental income.

Tenant-Paid Owner Expenses:

If tenants are responsible for paying certain property expenses directly to the landlord, such as utilities or maintenance costs, these payments are considered rental income.

In-Kind Payments:

If a tenant provides goods or services in exchange for reduced rent, the fair market value of these goods or services is considered rental income.


6. E-file 1099 with TaxBandits at Quick, Easy and Secure!

Filing 1099s can be quite a daunting task, consider using tax filing software like TaxBandits, with TaxBandits, you can file 1099 Forms in 3 simple steps. Additionally, you have the option to bulk file multiple returns using Excel/Csv Template.

  • Step 1: Create an account and select Form 1099.
  • Step 2: Enter the required 1099 Form information.
  • Step 3: Review the details and transmit the 1099 Form to the IRS and State.

After E-filing, TaxBandits will handle the distribution of your recipient copies, either through postal mail or online, on your behalf. It's worth noting that we offer the industry's lowest pricing.

Stephanie

About the Author

Stephanie Glanville is the Marketing Manager of TaxBandits. She has several years of experience with IRS tax forms and the funtionality of TaxBandits. With a passion to help business owners better understand their IRS tax forms and filing, she aims to create content that is valuable and informative.

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