03/03/2024
How to help gig workers through the stress of not having received their 1099:
1. Get a fresh W9 from them
2. Contact your bookkeeper
3. Do your best to beg for understanding and patience
4. Make sure they know that the process can take up to 3 weeks for the reissue of a 1099 to show up (and remind them that it could, again, be swallowed up by the sink hole that is the USP)
5. Inform gig workers in advance that they can safely file their taxes without a 1099, if they have a reasonably good idea of how much they were paid.
……..Small business owners, do not pay any gig worker without first having them complete a W9. Take care! and if they get married, move, or both … send the fresh W9 right away without delay.
…….. In addition to mailing your 1099s on time (by Jan 31), send the gig worker a digital copy of their 1099 — that way you will be spared the not knowing — you will be able to find out if they received their paper copy and sort it out as the hero rather than the zero. 20/20 hindsight Is way better than having your ass handed to you, even when you’ve done your best through life’s wringer.
Happy gig workers are so much better than what can happen otherwise and it doesn’t need to become a bridge burner. But, speaking from experience, there can be hell to pay if you do not train your gig workers and stay on top of this @! #!. It’s a real shame but these are the times when irritation, emotions, indifference, and rigidity is about as intense as it can get. A patient, cooperative, well-informed “we got this” approach is better for companies and gig workers alike.