Understanding your 1099 forms

(updated for the 2025 tax year)

For the 2025 tax year, you may receive 1099 forms from TravelJoy for accepting direct payments and/or receiving commissions for bookings. This guide provides more information on 1099 forms.

As much as we’d like to make taxes as easy as possible for our members, TravelJoy is not able to help with the interpretation of tax laws or give specific tax advice — you should reach out to a qualified tax professional if you need help. Specifically, the information in this guide is not intended to be and should not be construed as tax advice.

General

What is the difference between a Form 1099-K and a Form 1099-MISC?

Form 1099-K is used by credit card companies and third-party processors to report the payment transactions they process for retailers or other third parties. TravelJoy is a third-party payment processor and is required to report direct payments we process for travel advisors using the Form 1099-K.

Form 1099-MISC is used to report certain types of miscellaneous compensation. TravelJoy is required to report commission payments earned for certain bookings with direct integrations (e.g., travel insurance via Faye, activities and transfers via Viator, hotels via Hotelbeds) using the Form 1099-MISC.

Why am I getting two 1099 forms?

Some travel advisors will get both 1099-K and 1099-MISC forms from TravelJoy for meeting the reporting requirements for both. The reporting thresholds for the 2025 tax year are:

• For the form 1099-K, $20,000 in payouts received via TravelJoy in more than 200 transactions
• For the form 1099-MISC, $600 in total commission payments

Given the forms serve different purposes per the IRS, TravelJoy cannot combine the two forms.

Additionally, reporting thresholds for states may be lower than IRS thresholds. As a result, some travel advisors may receive 1099 forms even if reported amounts are lower than IRS thresholds.

How am I receiving my 1099 form(s) from TravelJoy?

For those who met the thresholds in the 2025 tax year, TravelJoy will deliver a physical copy of your 1099 form(s) to the address on file. 

If you have not received your form by February 16 and would like to request e-delivery, reach out to our support team via chat or email.

When will I receive my 1099 form(s)?

TravelJoy will file your 1099 form(s) with the IRS and relevant state tax agencies in mid-January, prior to the filing deadline of February 2, 2026.

Postal delivery may take up to 10 business days. Please reach out to us if you do not receive your forms by February 16.

Form 1099-K

Which payments are included on my 1099-K?

Payments deposited into your bank account in 2025 are included on your 1099-K. This includes:

• Any direct payment directly deposited into your bank account, excluding TravelJoy processing fees
• Any Trip Funds or Group Funds withdrawn to your bank account, including as markup

According to IRS regulations, we are required to report payments on 1099-K even if the payment is later returned to your client due to refunds or lost disputes.

Your 1099-K does not include:

• Any payment sent to Trip Funds or Group Funds and not withdrawn to your bank account; this includes
  • Payments you’ve made to suppliers from Funds
  • Payments still held in Funds
• Any credit card authorizations through supplier invoices or CC authorization forms

The number of transactions reported on your 1099-K are the number of payouts sent to your bank account in 2025.

To determine whether specific amounts on your 1099-K are classified as taxable income, you should speak with a tax professional.

Why doesn't my 1099-K match my own records?

The IRS has specific requirements on what amounts to report, which may not match your own records.

• TravelJoy must report all payments made
  • Without regard to any adjustments for credits, discounts, fees, etc.
  • Even if they are later returned due to refunds initiated or disputes lost
  • Even if part of the payments made to you are used to pay expenses (e.g., payments to suppliers)
• TravelJoy does not report payments that are processed to Trip Funds or Group Funds until they are withdrawn to your bank account.
  • Payments sent to a supplier directly via virtual credit card or manual transfer (i.e., ACH or wire) are not reported on your 1099-K

To learn more about what is being reported, please review the 1099-K Transaction Report in TravelJoy.

What if part of the payments indicated on my 1099-K was used to pay my expenses such as supplier payments?

We are still required to report the total gross amount of payments made per IRS requirements. However, not the entirety of the gross payment amount indicated on your 1099-K form has to be taxable. The IRS advises that the payee can use good record-keeping to deduct expenses. Please note that TravelJoy cannot offer tax or financial advice.

Form 1099-MISC

What is included on my form 1099-MISC?

Commission payments TravelJoy made to you in 2025 are included on your 1099-MISC. This includes commissions you earned for:

• Travel insurance bookings for clients from Faye
• Activities and transfer bookings for clients from Viator
• Hotel bookings for clients from Hotelbeds

Errors and Changes

I believe there’s an error on my 1099 form. What should I do?

If you believe there’s an error with your 1099:

• Review the guidance on what is and isn’t reported on your 1099 form(s)
• Review the 1099 Transaction Report in TravelJoy to understand what payments are reported.
• If you still believe there’s an error, email hello@traveljoy.com with subject “1099 form inquiry” and let us know:
  • Whether the inquiry applies to 1099-K or 1099-MISC
  • Which information on your 1099 Transaction Report may be inaccurate

I earned enough to receive a 1099 form. Why have I not received it?

If you earned enough to need a 1099 form, you should have received an email from TravelJoy by mid-January, informing you that we would be filing a form for you. 

If you cannot find an email from us regarding 1099 forms, it is possible that:

• They may be in your spam/junk mail folder. Please search your inbox for an email titled: “Information regarding your TravelJoy 1099 form”
• TravelJoy does not have your most current email address on file
• The email address associated with your TravelJoy account is incorrect, missing, or unable to receive mail
• Another unexpected issue has occurred. If you believe you should have received a form but haven’t, please reach out to hello@traveljoy.com for support

My information has changed. How can I edit information?

Information changes might include a change of address, changing from your social security number (SSN) to an employer identification number (EIN), or updating the business name.

Log into your TravelJoy account and navigate to your “Direct Payments” settings. Edit the appropriate section(s) and click "Save" when finished.

How do I access tax forms from previous years?

Please reach out to hello@traveljoy.com for a copy of your previous tax year forms.