Tips and information to help you tackle your taxes with confidence.

As a pet sitter or dog walker on Rover (“sitter”), you are considered by the IRS to be running your own business through the Rover platform. This means that you are responsible for filing taxes on your Rover earnings each year.

We know filing taxes can be confusing, and we’re here to provide basic information and resources to help you navigate the process. Rover cannot offer tax advice; if you have specific questions, need tax advice, or are unsure about your unique situation, we recommend reaching out to a tax professional.

On November 21, 2023, the IRS announced that for tax year 2023, those eligible to receive a Form 1099-K will remain at the current threshold of more than 200 transactions and over $20,000 in processed payments. The IRS also announced a planned interim threshold of $5,000 in processed payments for tax year 2024, before eventually implementing a $600 threshold. Those who are eligible for a 1099-K under the current threshold will be provided a 1099-K Summary from Rover.

As a result of the IRS announcement delaying a lower threshold for 1099-K eligibility, there will no longer be a change to the threshold that determines who will receive a federal Form 1099-K for 2023. The existing threshold will remain in effect which means all sitters who had more than $20,000 in processed payments and had more than 200 transactions will receive this form. You can learn more about 1099-Ks below.

• Although you may not meet the IRS’s federal eligibility requirements, you may still receive a 1099-K as your state may have set their own requirements. Those states can be found here.
• If you meet the threshold you’re required to receive this form, however the information it contains might be a bit confusing as it does not list your actual (net) earnings through Rover. We know this may seem complicated, and we’re here to help you navigate it.
• Rover will provide a 1099-K summary that will be available in your Rover account in January. This will state your actual (net) earnings plus the gross total and what makes up the difference to help you file your taxes accurately.
• If you were paid via check or PayPal, please reference this Help Center article with more information about your tax forms.

We partnered with a trusted tax partner on this comprehensive PDF guide made just for sitters on Rover.

In it, you’ll find what you need to know and materials you’ll need to have in order to successfully file taxes for your earnings through Rover.

A: Every sitter who had more than $20,000 in processed payments and more than 200 bookings in 2023 will receive a federal Form 1099-K. 

A: If you selected “Enroll in paperless delivery” on the pop-up window, you are currently opted-in to receive your 1099-K electronically (if you’re eligible) for the current tax season and any year after that you’re a sitter on Rover. You can change this preference by reaching out to our support team via the Help Center. This request must happen before the end of the relevant tax year in order for it to be processed ahead of your forms being issued.

A: Form 1099-K is required to document gross payment amounts processed on your behalf for the services you provide, which includes things you didn’t receive money for like canceled bookings, Rover service fees, and even sales tax. It does not reflect your actual earnings. This Help Center article explains it in more detail.

A: You can view your actual or net earnings that were paid into your bank account by year in your Rover account. Find out how in this Help Center article.

A: Your Form 1099-K will be available to access digitally in your Rover account or via mail in January, depending on if you enrolled in paperless delivery. Were you paid via PayPal or check this year? This Help Center article will give you more information about receiving your tax forms.

A: For questions related to your specific tax situation, please contact a tax professional as Rover cannot provide tax advice. For general questions and troubleshooting or questions related to receiving your 1099-K take a look at our Help Center or get in touch with Rover Support. 

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