Yes, if you earn income on TikTok, you must report it to the IRS and will likely also be required to pay taxes on it. If you make more than $20,000 and have 200 or more transactions on TikTok, TikTok will most likely report your income to you and the IRS using Form 1099-K, Payment Card and Third-Party Network Transactions. In certain cases, TikTok may issue Form 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation, for non-sales items.

However, you’re still required to report and pay taxes on TikTok income even if you do not receive a reporting form.

It's important to note that if you earn money on TikTok, the IRS considers you to be self-employed. That means you’ll have to pay self-employment tax in addition to regular income tax and will most likely be required to make quarterly estimated tax payments to the IRS. It also means you’ll be able to take advantage of many different tax deductions to cover the costs of running your TikTok business.

Filing taxes when you’re self-employed can be complicated, and the last thing you want is to be caught off guard by how much of an impact earning income on TikTok can have on your taxes. Plan ahead and schedule a time to talk taxes with the pros today.

Sharon Brucker, CPA Senior Tax Research Analyst Published on: September 15, 2025
Our Editorial Policy

*This content is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be comprehensive and should not be construed as professional tax or financial advice for any specific individual tax situation. Taxpayers should always consult a qualified professional for individual guidance. This information constitutes a solicitation under the Treasury Department's Circular 230. Most offices are independently owned and operated.