Wag! 1099 Tax Form Guide

Walking dogs with Wag! is a fun way to earn money, but like any job, it comes with tax responsibilities. Since Wag! walkers are independent contractors, your taxes work a bit differently than they would for a regular employee. This guide breaks down what the 1099 form is, where to find it, and how to file your taxes the right way.

What tax forms does Wag! send?

If you worked for Wag! and earned money through the platform, you might receive a 1099 form. This form reports how much money you made as a contractor. In some cases, you might not get a tax form from Wag! directly. That’s because Wag! uses Stripe to send payments. If you meet certain requirements, Stripe will handle your tax form instead.

You may also see an annual earnings summary in your Wag! or Stripe account, which helps track your total income for the year. Wag! walkers are not employees, so you won’t receive a W-2.

Do I qualify for a 1099 form?

Stripe (on behalf of Wag!) will send you a 1099 if:

• You earned $600 or more through the platform during the year
• Your payments were processed through Stripe Express
  

If you made less than $600, you likely will not receive a tax form. But you are still responsible for reporting all income, even if you don’t get a 1099.

Where do I find my Wag! 1099 form?

Most walkers who qualify will get their 1099 from Stripe, not directly from Wag!. Here’s where to look:

• Stripe Express Dashboard: Log into your account at https://connect.stripe.com/express_login
• Email: Check your inbox for a message from Stripe with the subject line “Your 1099 tax form is available”
• Wag! App or Support: If you’re unsure about your payment method, reach out to Wag! support for help

These forms are usually sent out by late January.

What if I didn’t receive a 1099?

First, don’t panic. There are a few reasons why your 1099 might not have arrived:

• You didn’t earn $600 or more
• You were paid outside of Stripe
• There was a problem with your Stripe account or email address
  

Here’s what to do:

• Double-check your Stripe account
• Review your total earnings in the Wag! app
• Contact Wag! support if you need help figuring out your payout method

Even without a 1099, you’re still required to report all income you earned.

How to file taxes with your Wag! 1099

You’ll file your taxes using:

• Form 1040 (your main tax return)
• Schedule C (to report self-employment income and expenses)
• Schedule SE (to calculate self-employment taxes like Social Security and Medicare)
  

On Schedule C, you’ll report the full amount from your 1099 and subtract any work-related expenses. These expenses reduce your taxable income and can help lower your tax bill.

What can Wag! walkers write off?

As an independent contractor, you can deduct your Wag! business expenses that are necessary and related to your work. Some common ones include:

• Mileage from driving to and from walks or client homes
• Dog supplies like leashes, poop bags, and treats
• Phone expenses if you use it for client communication or navigation
• Cleaning supplies, if needed for hygiene or safety
  

Keep records of these expenses during the year. They can add up and save you money when it’s time to file.

Understanding self-employment taxes

When you work for yourself, you don’t have taxes taken out of your pay automatically. That means you’re responsible for paying:

• Income tax
• Self-employment tax (which covers Social Security and Medicare)

The self-employment tax rate is 15.3%, but you can deduct half of it when you file. This helps reduce your overall tax bill. To avoid surprises, many self-employed workers set aside 25 to 30 percent of their income for taxes throughout the year.

Getting a 1099 from Wag! means you’re running a small business of your own. That comes with some responsibility, but also a lot of freedom. Stay organized. Keep your records updated. And when it’s time to file, make sure you’ve got all the tools and info you need. With a little planning, tax time won’t be so bad.

And hey, you’re already walking dogs for a living. You’ve got the hardest part figured out.