I’ve been doing mobile notary stuff for all of this year. I am curious about end of year stuff. I think a 1099 does not get issued if you make less than $600. Here are the questions I have in general:
If you make over $600, you automatically get a 1099 from the signing service that you work with, right?
Do you ever get them when you do work that totals less than $600 in a given year?
How are people generally doing things structure wise? - To elaborate, are you just an individual who reports these as random 1099 income? Are you an official sole-prop that files a schedule C? - Just looking to get how others are handling this piece as we near the end of 2025.
For most mobile notaries, there is a considerable automotive expense. If you don’t file a schedule c, I don’t see how you could deduct the auto mileage. Not to mention all the other expenses, like insurance, paper, and toner.
@RickOShay Over the years several Notary Cafe members (who are also Certified Public Accountants [CPAs] ) have ‘weighed in’ on this topic. As such, their information can be accessed via a cursory Search of the TREASURE TROVE found within the Notary Cafe database. Those members often tangentially add that a business owner will be best served by reaching out to a Tax Accountant or CPA near you/within your State.
While I have answers to your queries via my direct experience, I also would advise you as a business owner to perform your own due diligence & consult with a CPA for tax status determination for your business, record-keeping, tax decisions, etc.
An additional Resource you’ll also find quite helpful is the IRS Schedule 17.
There is also an article (by a well-known organization) with Tax Tips for Notaries; however, I will add the caveat that their insights are in general pertinent to the State of California (& not to other States). In addition, there are multiple occasions that their data has been found to be fraught with errors on a recurring basis . . .
The minimum threshold for filing an information 1099 return is $600. This does not imply that if you’re paid less than $600 per year that you won’t receive a 1099.
To reduce the risk of the IRS giving you a financial colonoscopy, it’s best practice to report every dollar earned, including income that’s not reported on a 1099. For honest mistakes, the IRS may impose an accuracy-related penalty equal to 20% of the underpaid tax. This penalty typically applies if you were negligent or disregarded tax rules and regulations. There maybe penalty forgiveness for first time offenders. but you’ll have to remain error free for the next five years. If the IRS determines that you intentionally failed to report income, it can impose a fraud penalty. This can be up to 75% of the underpaid tax. Reference: 26 CFR section 6662.
Since thos states that have a State Income Tax, you’ll be wise to contact a Tax Accountant familiar with your State’s Tax Code.
