Do I have to pay taxes if I earn less than $600 from an individual job?

Question

I do a lot of odd jobs, and I have heard from a few employers in the past that if I make less than $600 in a year, I don't have to pay taxes on it. But does this apply if I have multiple odd jobs and I make, say, $500 at one and $200 at the other? If anyone has an answer to this with a source of info, I'd appreciate it.

Answer 1

You are being told wrong.  If they pay you under $600, they don't have to provide you with a 1099 for the amount.  But if you earn over $400 for the entire year from ALL jobs that are considered as self-employment, and the odd jobs are, you are legally required to report what you made, and pay tax on it.

Answer 2

All myths.

You are confusing the reporting requirement for the payer to issue a 1099-Misc (which is $600) with YOUR reporting requirement for listing the income on your taxes ($1).

If your total income from all self-employment is $400 or more, you have a filing requirement because that's when the SE tax kicks in.