{"slug":"toptal","name":"Toptal","category":"freelance","workerTerm":"talent (Toptal network members)","classification":"Toptal says freelancers in its network are not Toptal employees; they set their own hourly rates and take full-time, part-time or hourly engagements.","taxForms":"Toptal's public talent pages don't say which IRS form it issues to U.S. talent. Under 2026 federal rules, a business that pays you directly for services issues Form 1099-NEC at $2,000 or more, while a payment network issues Form 1099-K only above $20,000 and 200 transactions.","platformFees":"Toptal says it takes no cut of the rate talent set; clients pay Toptal separately, including a $79 monthly platform subscription.","payouts":"Toptal handles billing and invoicing with clients directly, and talent payment is automated and made in U.S. dollars.","deductions":["Computer hardware, development or design software and cloud tools used on engagements","Home office costs, since most Toptal engagements are fully remote","Certification, training and conference costs you pay yourself","Business share of internet and phone service","Accounting and legal fees for running your freelance business"],"watchOuts":["Toptal takes no cut from talent, so there is no platform-fee deduction to claim.","Full-time 40-hour engagements can feel like a salary, but as a non-employee you may need to make quarterly estimated tax payments.","Toptal offers financial support for some technical certifications; any cost Toptal covers isn't deductible by you.","Report all Toptal income even if you don't receive a 1099 form."],"competitors":["upwork","fiverr"],"sources":["https://www.toptal.com/freelance-jobs/faq","https://www.toptal.com/faq","https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1099mec","https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-issues-faqs-on-form-1099-k-threshold-under-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-dollar-limit-reverts-to-20000","https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/manage-taxes-for-your-gig-work","https://www.upwork.com/resources/upwork-vs-toptal","https://www.fiverr.com/resources/guides/business/fiverr-vs-toptal"],"asOf":"2026-10-07","url":"https://gigaverse.ai/platforms/toptal","affiliated":false}