Do I Have To Pay Taxes On Cash App?

Ines Zemelman, EA
Ines Zemelman, EA
• 15.06.22 • 5 min read

Is this the first time you received a Form 1099-K ever since you started using the Cash Apps? You must be wondering do I have to pay taxes on Cash App? The truth is the IRS always required payment settlement entities to issue 1099-K & report earnings. 

In this article, you will learn about the recent change in the tax laws & their effects and the difference between the Cash App personal account vs cash for business account. Find out if you need to upgrade to the business account, whether your personal transactions have any tax consequences, and the reason why Cash Apps like Venmo hold your payment.

What Are Cash App New Tax Law & How Does It Affect You?

Until 2021, the payment apps like Venmo were required to send IRS Form 1099-K to their users if the gross payments exceed $20,000 & there are more than 200 transactions. The reporting thresholds have been revised for the year 2022. 

The change in tax law put into effect by the American Rescue Plan during the Covid requires your gross income to be reported to the IRS if it totals more than $600. The number of transactions is no longer relevant. 

As the reporting requirements changed many Cash app users panicked. Venmo users are asking if Venmo are transactions taxed. Not all transactions in Venmo are taxed or need to be reported. 

What Is The Difference Between Cash App Personal Accounts And Cash App For Business Accounts?

The recent change will only affect those who have a business account on Venmo. So those who have a personal account can relax. Let’s look at the difference between the two.

Unless you upgrade your Cash App account to a business account it will remain personal. When you create the Cash App personal account you agree to use it for non-commercial purposes. There is a limit to how much & how often you can use it. There are no fees on incoming and outgoing payments. 

Personal transactions can be between friends & family. Say for example your mom sends money to you as a cash gift via the Venmo.

As a business account user, you can receive unlimited numbers of payments for goods & services. The transactional fee is 2.75%.

Who Needs To Upgrade To Cash App For Business Account

If you decide to receive payments for your goods & services then you should upgrade to cash for business account.

It is convenient for small business owners, independent contractors, self-employed people, gig workers, freelancers, or those running a side hustle to use the Cash App for sending & receiving payments for their goods & services.  

Cash apps like Venmos & other third-party payment apps that facilitate commercial transactions are required to report the value of their total transactions over the threshold to the IRS.  

Will I Receive A Form 1099-K For Payments I Receive In My Cash App?

If you are using the personal Cash app to pay for dinner with friends or other personal stuff you don't need to worry about receiving the Form 1099-K form. 

However, once you upgrade to cash for a business account & your gross receipt exceeds $600 you will receive Form 1099-K by Jan 31.

Keep in mind even if you didn't receive the Form 1099-K you still need to report your income on your tax return. How much tax you owe will be determined by the deduction allowed, and the credits you can claim. 

Do I Have To Pay Taxes On Cash App Such As Venmo If I Sell My Personal Items?

Let’s suppose you bought an item for personal use for $1000. You sold it for $900 and received payment on Venmo. Generally, this would be excluded from gross income and will not be subject to income tax. However, it is always a good idea to consult a tax professional. 

Why Does Venmo Hold My Payments?

When your commercial activity reaches the reporting threshold any payments you receive after that for the sales of goods and services will be placed on hold. The Venmo will ask for your tax info and once received you can get your payments. 

The app will still send Form 1099-K to you & the IRS but you won’t get your payments until you confirm your tax info. This is a regulatory requirement by IRS.

With changes in tax laws every taxpayer is wondering, do I have to pay taxes on Cash App? If you are confused talk to a tax specialist who will tell you how to avoid taxes on Venmo using legitimate ways. They will also make sure that you are in compliance with the new regulatory requirement.