Digital Nomad
How Creatives & Solopreneurs Can Leverage OBBB’s Backup Withholding Relief
New IRS proposed rules under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill change backup withholding thresholds – here's how creatives and solopreneurs can benefit and stay compliant.
By NomadicTax Research Team • 5-8 min read • March 29, 2026
## Overview of the Change
Under Section 70432 of the **One, Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB)**, the threshold for backup withholding by third-party settlement organizations (TPSOs)—such as PayPal, Venmo, or major freelance platforms—has reverted to its pre-2021 levels. That means TPSOs must only report and potentially backup withhold when **both** of the following are met:
- Transactions to a payee exceed **$20,000** in gross during a calendar year, *and*
- The number of transactions to that payee exceeds **200** in the year. ([irs.gov](https://www.irs.gov/irb/2026-05_IRB/index.html?utm_source=openai))
This marks a return from the lower 2021 thresholds under the American Rescue Plan, which required reporting at just $600 with no transaction count requirement. ([irs.gov](https://www.irs.gov/irb/2026-05_IRB/index.html?utm_source=openai))
## Why It Matters for Solos & Creatives
Many solopreneurs, artists, and gig workers receive dozens of small payments for different pieces of work or customers. Under the old $600 rule, even sporadic payments could lead to having to jump through extensive reporting and withholding requirements. The change allows for more breathing room:
- If you have **high-volume, small payments** but fewer than 200 transactions, or total payments under $20,000, you’ll be below the withholding requirement.
- If you’re more established with larger revenue or many individual payments, you may still need to monitor carefully.
## How to Know If You’re Affected
| Scenario | Total Payments in Year | Number of Transactions | Is Reporting/Withholding Triggered? |
|---|---|---|---|
| A freelance illustrator receives 180 payments totaling $15,000 | $15,000 | 180 | **No** – neither threshold met. |
| A vintage jewelry maker receives 250 orders, each $150 = $37,500 | $37,500 | 250 | **Yes** – both thresholds exceeded. |
| An online coach gets 220 small subscriptions $60 each = $13,200 | $13,200 | 220 | **No** – payment amount too low despite many transactions. |
## What You Should Do Now
1. **Review your payment history** with all platforms and TPSOs. Track both number of payments and total dollar amounts.
2. **Collect accurate tax info up front**, especially taxpayer identification numbers (TINs), to avoid penalties if withholding or reporting becomes required.
3. **Stay updated with IRS proposed regulations**—they may finalize guidance that clarifies best practices or transitional rules.
4. **Tidy up record-keeping**: categorize income sources, save platform statements, prepare for possible backup withholding or Form 1099-K reporting.
## Practical Example
Sarah is a graphic designer selling prints via an online marketplace. In 2025, she did 150 sales for $140 each—totaling $21,000. She meets the dollar threshold but not the number of transactions threshold. **No reporting or withholding** required yet. If she had done 220 sales at $100 each for $22,000, **yes**, both thresholds exceeded—and TPSO must report and possibly withhold.
## Key Takeaways
- **Less reporting burden** for many small-volume creatives under the new thresholds.
- But still risky if you have many sales or large revenues—monitor both metrics.
- Don’t assume compliance: watch for final regulations and make sure platforms report correctly.
With these changes, independents can operate with a bit more simplicity—if they stay informed and document everything. You may not need to worry about forms like 1099-K until you cross **both** lines.