# Instacart 1099 for Shoppers: Which Form You Get, the New $2,000 Threshold and What to Do With It | Gig Earnings Guide

> Full-service Instacart shoppers receive Form 1099-NEC for nonemployee pay. For payments made in 2026 the reporting threshold rose from $600 to $2,000, but all income is taxable either way.

Source: https://gigearningsguide.com/guides/instacart-1099.html
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[Guides](https://gigearningsguide.com/guides/) · Updated October 24, 2026 · 6 min read

# What 1099 do Instacart shoppers get?

**Full-service Instacart shoppers are independent contractors and receive Form 1099-NEC for their nonemployee compensation.** For payments made in 2026, the federal reporting threshold rose from $600 to $2,000, so a shopper paid less than $2,000 in 2026 may not receive a form. That does not change what you owe: all Instacart income is taxable, form or no form, and you report it on Schedule C.

## Key facts

- **Form:** 1099-NEC (nonemployee compensation).
- **Threshold:** $600 for 2025 payments (forms issued in early 2026); $2,000 for payments made in 2026 (forms issued in early 2027), under the 2025 tax law.
- **Deadline:** payers must furnish 1099-NEC by January 31.
- **Delivery:** usually electronic. Watch your email and the Shopper app for instructions on accessing your tax documents, and keep your address and tax ID up to date.

## Does the 1099 include tips?

Your 1099-NEC total generally includes batch pay, bonuses and customer tips paid through the platform. Compare it with your own weekly earnings statements; if it looks wrong, contact Support before you file.

## Gross is not profit

The 1099 shows gross pay. On Schedule C you subtract business expenses, most importantly business miles (72.5¢ January–June 2026 and 76¢ July–December 2026). Your taxes are based on the profit, not the 1099 figure.

## In-store shoppers are different

In-store shoppers who are Instacart employees receive a W-2 with tax withheld. This guide is about full-service shoppers, who are contractors.

## If you never received a form

Report the income anyway from your own records. The IRS can match unreported income, and the obligation to report does not depend on receiving a form.

General information, not tax advice. Confirm with a CPA or Enrolled Agent.

## Frequently asked questions

**Does Instacart send a 1099?**

Yes. Full-service shoppers who meet the reporting threshold receive Form 1099-NEC, usually electronically, by January 31.

**What is the 1099-NEC threshold for 2026?**

$2,000 for payments made in 2026, up from $600. Income below the threshold is still taxable.

**Do I have to report Instacart income without a 1099?**

Yes. All self-employment income is taxable whether or not you receive a form.

**Are Instacart tips on the 1099?**

Tips paid through the platform are generally included in reported pay. Check against your weekly statements.

**Go deeper.** Chapter 13 of the guide covers shopper taxes end to end, from the 1099 to Schedule C, with a ready-made tracker spreadsheet. [Get the full guide](https://gigearningsguide.com/#pricing) or [read chapters 1–2 free](https://gigearningsguide.com/reader.html).

## Related guides

- [How do Instacart shoppers pay taxes in 2026?](https://gigearningsguide.com/guides/instacart-quarterly-taxes.html)
- [What can Instacart shoppers deduct besides mileage?](https://gigearningsguide.com/guides/instacart-tax-deductions.html)
- [Do Instacart shoppers qualify for "no tax on tips"?](https://gigearningsguide.com/guides/instacart-no-tax-on-tips.html)

## Sources

- [IRS: About Form 1099-NEC](https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1099-nec)
- [IRS: About Schedule C (Form 1040)](https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-c-form-1040)
- [IRS: One Big Beautiful Bill provisions](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/one-big-beautiful-bill-provisions)

By the Gig Earnings Guide Editorial Team. Independent publication; not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Maplebear Inc. (Instacart). Rates and rules change; check the official sources above.