Common Earnings Program Participant Tax Questions
Disclaimer: As independent contractors, it is the responsibility of the Earnings Program participants to keep track of their earnings and to accurately report them in their tax filings. Quora works with Stripe to collect taxpayer information using standardized forms and complete U.S. 1099 filings. General 1099 overview and Stripe FAQs can be found here as a reference. Form 1042-s are prepared by Quora and not through Stripe. Any questions about what you have to report on your taxes should be directed to a tax professional, as Quora cannot provide you with tax advice.
Non-US Creators
What is Form W-8 and why is Form W-8 required now?
In order to comply with U.S. tax law and complete proper tax reporting, Quora (a U.S. company) needs to obtain confirmation that you are not a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident and do not have a distinct U.S. legal entity for your business. Quora wants to ensure non-U.S. users have the proper earnings reporting and withhold taxes as relevant for tax compliance. According to U.S. tax law, Quora is required to issue an IRS tax Form 1042-s to nonresident aliens who earn payment by writing through the Earnings Program. Please see the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) page for further information. For any additional questions on whether you are a U.S. citizen or resident and other tax-related questions, please consult a tax professional.
Where can I find my completed Form W-8 or update the form?
From your Stripe Express Dashboard, please click on “Tax Forms” as a selection at the top, and you will be able to download and edit your completed Form W-8.
What is Form 1042-s?
Form 1042-s is required for U.S. tax reporting of earnings to the IRS and to the earnings recipient. This form is a summary of what you earned for the previous tax year shows you what Quora will be reporting to the IRS. In most cases, you do not need to do anything further for U.S. taxes, but please consult a professional tax advisor for any questions or concerns, as Quora cannot provide you personal tax advice.
When and how will I receive Form 1042-s?
Under U.S. tax law, Form 1042-s for the 2023 tax year is due on March 15th, 2024. You can expect to receive your copy of the tax form by postal mail. More details about the timeline for the form delivery will be provided in December 2023 for the 2023 calendar tax year.
I already have a Stripe Connected account. Do I need to do anything?
You will receive an email from Stripe asking for you to update your information for Form W-8 in Stripe Express when you reach $10 of earnings. Form W-8 is valid for three years, and will need to be updated when there is a change in citizenship/residence, as well as any update of personal information - such as legal name, mailing address, tax identification - that is required on the form.
What are Tax Treaty Claims and withholding taxes?
Depending on your country of tax residence and your personal tax situation, your earnings may be subject to withholding taxes dependent on existing available tax treaty (or conventions) that is available between the United States and your country of tax residence. The withholding tax rate ranges between 0% to 30%.
Stripe will have a specific section asking you for responses regarding tax treaty claims. For most individuals you can refer to Table 1 by finding your country of tax residence to see under Royalties-Copyright category what would be the applicable withholding tax rate. If there is a tax treaty in place between your local country of tax residence with the U.S., it is likely that a reduced withholding tax rate is available or the income earned from the U.S. may be tax exempt. Please note that each individual’s tax circumstance may be different, so please follow IRS instructions and consult a professional tax advisor to the extent that you are not sure about the correct answer based on your situation.
A permanent establishment or fixed base is defined by the IRS as a fixed place of business.
If you are not filing as an individual or have other special cases, please refer to the forms listed on this IRS page for guidance.
I never received my tax form or I have questions regarding my tax form. What do I do?
Please contact earnings@quora.com.
US Creators
I already have a Stripe Connected account. Do I need to do anything?
If you already have a Stripe connected account, please review your account to make sure your personal information is up to date (Full name, Taxpayer Identification Number/Social Security Number, mailing address, etc.) before December 23, 2022. This will ensure accurate tax information reporting and timely delivery of your Form 1099-MISC.
Why did I get a 1099-MISC?
Under U.S. tax law, Earnings Program participants that earn royalty income of $10 or more within a calendar year will receive a Form 1099-MISC. A 1099 form is used to report independent contractor earnings to the IRS. If you receive earnings below $10 you will NOT receive a Form 1099-MISC.
When will my Form 1099-MISC be available?
Your 1099 tax form will be sent to you by January 31, 2023 (note: paper forms delivered by postal delivery might take up to 10 additional business days).
- Starting November 2022: Stripe will email you instructions on how to set up e-delivery (if applicable and available) and create a Stripe Express account. If you haven’t already, you’ll need to complete these steps to access your 1099 tax form electronically.
- By January 31, 2023:
- Your 1099 tax form will be available to download through Stripe Express.
- Your 1099 tax form will be mailed to you if you don’t receive an email from Stripe or don’t consent to e-delivery. Please allow up to 10 business days for postal delivery.
- Quora will file your 1099 tax form with the IRS and relevant state tax authorities.
- April 15, 2023: IRS deadline to file taxes. You’ll need your 1099 tax form to file your taxes.
In January, we strongly suggest that you ensure all of your tax filing details are up to date in Stripe Express. Your name, address and Taxpayer Identification Number (Social Security Number /Employer Identification Number) are of primary importance.
How will I receive my 1099 tax form?
After you log in to your Stripe Express account, you will be able to consent to e-delivery of your 1099 tax forms. If you do not consent to e-delivery, you will not be able to view or download your 1099 tax forms in the Stripe Express Tax forms page. If you opted in to e-delivery, your 1099 tax form will be delivered electronically near the end of January.
For some users, Stripe will NOT be able to e-deliver all the tax forms and will instead send a paper copy via postal mail.
Why is Stripe requesting personal information like my Social Security Number?
Your Social Security Number is required to get your 1099 tax form properly filed with the IRS. If you have earned enough to qualify for a 1099 tax form, the IRS requires your full details to be verified ahead of 1099 filing.
We process your personal information to ensure we meet our tax and legal obligations. We understand this information is sensitive, so we implement technical and organizational controls to safeguard it. You can learn more about our data protection practices in our Privacy Policy and can contact us at privacy@quora.com if you have any questions.
I never received my tax form. What do I do?
Please make sure the mailing address in your Stripe account is up-to-date and correct. If you need further assistance, contact earnings@quora.com.
My information has changed since I signed up for the Earnings Program. How can I edit information?
You can update your information in the Account tab of your Stripe account:
- Under Stripe Express Account, you can update the email address and phone number used to log in to Stripe Express. Please note that only one contact method can be updated at a time.
- Under Language preference, you can choose your preferred language for Stripe Express.
- Under Payout and Professional Details, you can update personal and legal entity information and view your bank account or debit card information for payouts. To update your payout details, please reach out to earnings@quora.com.
I believe the amount on my 1099-MISC is not correct. What do I do?
For questions about the amounts included on your tax form, please contact earnings@quora.com.