MoveMentors is not a tax preparer. We do not give tax advice. This article is a practical overview of what tax reporting looks like for hosts on the platform. For specific guidance, talk to an accountant.
The short version
- Stripe payments: Stripe handles the regulatory reporting (1099-K in the US).
- Manual payments: you are on your own to track and report.
- MoveMentors: gives you exports and records, but does not issue tax forms.
1099-K (US)
If you are a US-based host using Stripe Connect, Stripe will issue you a 1099-K at year-end if you cross the IRS threshold.
The threshold
The IRS lowered the 1099-K threshold significantly in recent years. As of 2026:
- Federal threshold: $5,000 in gross payments (down from $20,000 + 200 transactions previously).
- State thresholds: some states are lower. Massachusetts, Vermont, Virginia and several others have $600 thresholds.
- 2026 onward: the federal threshold is scheduled to drop further toward $600.
If you cross the threshold, Stripe sends you a 1099-K via the Stripe Express dashboard (look under "Tax forms" or "Documents"). You also get a copy in the mail if you set a mailing address.
What the 1099-K shows
- Your gross transaction volume on Stripe for the year (sum of all charges, before fees).
- Stripe's TIN, your TIN, your name and address.
Your gross is NOT your net income. You still subtract:
- Stripe fees.
- Refunds you issued.
- Business expenses.
- Other deductions.
The 1099-K is what Stripe reported to the IRS; you reconcile against it on your tax return.
Where to find it
Stripe Express dashboard → Documents → Tax forms. Available January for the previous tax year.
What if Stripe got my info wrong
Stripe asks for your tax info during onboarding. If you entered an outdated address or wrong SSN, update it in Stripe Express. If your 1099-K shows the wrong amount, contact Stripe support directly; we cannot adjust their records.
Non-US hosts
Stripe issues tax forms based on the country of the connected account:
- UK: HMRC reporting, no specific Stripe-issued form. You report income from Stripe normally.
- EU: varies by country. Stripe provides summary reports.
- Australia: GST and PAYG reporting; Stripe provides summaries.
- Canada: T4A for some accounts above threshold.
- Other: depends on local tax law.
For most non-US countries, the responsibility is yours to track income from MoveMentors bookings and report it. Stripe gives you the records (charge history, payout history, fee summary) via the Stripe Express dashboard.
Manual payments and taxes
Bank transfers, PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, cash, crypto: NONE of these involve us or Stripe in a way that triggers tax-form issuance from us.
You are responsible for tracking these payments and reporting the income.
What MoveMentors gives you
The financials dashboard at /mentor/financials tracks every booking, regardless of payment method, with the amount, date, and status. The CSV export includes:
- Date of class.
- Date of payment (when you marked paid).
- Gross amount.
- Payment method.
- Booking status.
Export and hand to your accountant. The records are in your name and reconcilable against your bank statement / PayPal statement / Venmo statement.
What about PayPal Friends and Family
F&F payments often go unreported to tax authorities. This does NOT mean you do not have to report the income. If you receive money for services rendered, it is income, regardless of how it was sent. The IRS does not care whether you used PayPal F&F or a wire transfer; income is income.
PayPal has been cracking down on F&F misuse. Recent IRS guidance has put pressure on PayPal to report F&F payments above certain thresholds. The rules are evolving.
The safe path: report all income, regardless of method.
VAT and sales tax
A separate concern from income tax.
VAT (EU)
If your gross is above your country's VAT threshold (varies), you may need to register and charge VAT on classes. Bookings would then show the VAT-inclusive price.
MoveMentors does not currently handle VAT-inclusive pricing automatically. If you need to charge VAT, you bake it into your class price and remit the VAT yourself.
Sales tax (US)
In some states, sale of services is taxable; in most, only physical goods are. Yoga / pilates / movement classes are NOT typically subject to sales tax in most US states, but some (e.g. some states tax gym memberships as a "service").
Check your state. Consult an accountant. If you need to collect sales tax, you bake it into the price.
GST (Australia, etc)
Similar pattern. If your gross is above the threshold, you may need to register for GST.
Deductions for hosts
Common deductible expenses against your MoveMentors income:
- Studio rent.
- Insurance (liability, equipment).
- Continuing education (workshops, trainings, retreats you attend as a learner).
- Supplies (mats, blocks, music subscription, etc).
- Marketing (ads, business cards, your website domain).
- Software (accounting tools, scheduling tools).
- Travel related to teaching (driving to a venue, accommodation for retreats).
- A portion of home utilities if you use a home studio.
Document each. The expense tracker in the financials dashboard helps you keep records (/mentor/financials).
Quarterly estimated taxes (US)
Independent contractors (which most mentors are, tax-wise) are typically expected to pay quarterly estimated taxes rather than waiting for April. The thresholds depend on your total tax owed.
A common rule of thumb: if you owe more than $1,000 in tax for the year and did not have enough withheld from W-2 income, the IRS expects quarterly payments.
Set aside 25-30% of your booking income for taxes. Pay quarterly. Adjust annually based on your accountant's review.
Year-end checklist for hosts
January-March:
- Download your 1099-K from Stripe (if applicable).
- Export your full-year booking CSV from MoveMentors.
- Reconcile against your bank statements.
- Categorise expenses from the expense tracker.
- Hand it all to your accountant.
- File by April 15 (US) or your country's equivalent deadline.
Common questions
Will MoveMentors send me a 1099? No. We are not a payment processor; we route payments through Stripe (or directly between you and the student). Stripe issues your 1099-K for card payments.
My 1099-K shows a different amount than what I think I made. Why? A few possible reasons:
- The 1099-K reports gross volume (all charges) before refunds.
- Some platforms exclude refunds, but Stripe does not always (depends on year and Stripe's policy at the time).
- Stripe also includes payments held in dispute / pending; the actual deposit to your bank may differ.
Reconcile against Stripe's "Balance summary" in the Express dashboard. That shows charges minus refunds minus fees, which is closer to "what hit my bank".
Can you give me a write-off recommendation? No. We do not give tax advice. Hire an accountant.
Where do I send 1099s to my own contractors (e.g. if I have an assistant)? This is a separate concern from MoveMentors. If you hire 1099 contractors yourself, you file 1099-NEC for them. Your accounting software (QuickBooks, Wave, etc) typically handles this.
Next steps
- Financials and expenses: the tracking surface.
- Stripe Connect explained: the Stripe relationship.