{"slug":"rover","name":"Rover","category":"local-services","workerTerm":"sitters (pet care providers)","classification":"Rover doesn't employ its service providers. It says sitters and dog walkers are treated by the IRS as running their own business through Rover, so they are self-employed and responsible for their own taxes.","taxForms":"Rover issues Form 1099-K to sitters with more than 200 transactions and over $20,000 in processed payments (the federal threshold, unchanged for 2026). Some states set lower thresholds. Sitters who qualify also get a 1099-K summary in their Rover account in January showing net earnings, the gross total, and what makes up the difference.","platformFees":"Rover keeps a 20% service fee on each booking, so sitters take home 80%. Fees are different in California. A pilot in the Seattle/Tacoma/Bellevue, Chicago/Naperville/Elgin, and Dallas/Fort Worth/Arlington areas sets fees by each client's total booking history: 30% up to $599, 15% from $600 to $1,199, and 10% from $1,200. Training and grooming are excluded.","payouts":"Funds appear 2 days after a completed service, and Stripe then deposits them automatically to the sitter's bank account (up to 5 business days to arrive). Tips added after payment post within 24 hours.","deductions":["Rover service fees (included in the 1099-K gross but never paid out to you)","Mileage for walks, drop-ins, and pet pickups (72.5 cents per mile through June 30, 2026; 76 cents from July 1, 2026)","Pet supplies: leashes, waste bags, treats, toys, cleaning products","Phone and data plan (business-use share)","Extra home costs for boarding and daycare guests (business-use share)","Pet-care training, certifications, and business insurance"],"watchOuts":["The 1099-K shows gross processed payments, including canceled bookings, Rover's service fees, and even sales tax. It doesn't show what you actually earned, so reconcile it with Rover's 1099-K summary.","Your state may send a 1099-K below the $20,000 federal threshold.","Pet sitters and walkers are on the IRS tipped-occupations list, so Rover tips can qualify for the No Tax on Tips deduction (2025-2028, up to $25,000 per return, capped at your net pet-care profit and phased out above $150,000 MAGI).","In pilot cities, the fee changes by client tier (30%, 15%, or 10%), so take deductible fees from your payment history instead of assuming 20%."],"competitors":["wag","care-com","petbacker"],"sources":["https://get.rover.com/sitter/taxes","https://support.rover.com/hc/en-us/articles/205385304-What-are-the-service-fees","https://support.rover.com/hc/en-us/articles/49949645726228-New-ways-for-sitters-to-earn-more-with-repeat-clients","https://support.rover.com/hc/en-us/articles/202838244-How-do-I-get-paid-for-bookings","https://www.rover.com/terms/tos/","https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/form-1099-k-faqs-general-information","https://www.irs.gov/irb/2026-29_IRB","https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/tip-recordkeeping-and-reporting","https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/occupations-that-customarily-and-regularly-received-tips-on-or-before-december-31-2024"],"notes":"Rover's tax hub describes the 1099-K threshold for the 2025 tax year; the 2026 statement relies on the IRS FAQ. Removed the claim that the 1099-K is issued 'through Stripe' (Stripe is Rover's payout processor, but the tax page doesn't say Stripe issues the form).","asOf":"2026-10-07","url":"https://gigaverse.ai/platforms/rover","affiliated":false}