{"slug":"wag","name":"Wag!","category":"local-services","workerTerm":"Pet Caregivers","classification":"Pet Caregivers are independent contractors who run their own pet-care business; Wag! says it is not their employer. They're responsible for their own business licenses, insurance, and taxes and aren't eligible for Wag! health insurance or other benefits.","taxForms":"Wag! issues Form 1099-K through Stripe when gross payments exceed the federal threshold: over $20,000 and more than 200 transactions (unchanged for 2026). It issues a 1099-NEC only in rare cases, for non-service payments such as referral income; for 2026 the federal 1099-NEC threshold is $2,000. State thresholds vary.","platformFees":"Wag!'s help center doesn't publish its commission on caregiver earnings. Caregivers pay a one-time, non-refundable application fee that varies by state or region. An optional paid Wag! Business (Wag! Pro) membership is offered, and Instant Pay costs a minimum $1.99 fee per cashout. Standard weekly payouts are free.","payouts":"The pay cycle runs Tuesday to Monday. Payouts are processed Wednesday and paid Friday through Stripe to a bank account or debit card at no fee, and eligible caregivers can use Instant Pay for a fee.","deductions":["Wag! service fees kept from your payouts (included in the 1099-K gross)","Application and background-check fee, and the Wag! Pro/Business upgrade","Instant Pay cashout fees","Mileage between services (72.5 cents per mile through June 30, 2026; 76 cents from July 1, 2026)","Pet supplies: leashes, waste bags, treats","Phone and data plan (business-use share)"],"watchOuts":["The 1099-K gross includes service and tip payouts, cancellation payouts, Wag!'s service fees, and state or local taxes collected from Pet Parents. Amounts you never received are generally deductible, so use Wag!'s yearly payment history to back them out.","The 1099-K goes by the date the Pet Parent was charged, but payouts go by transfer date, so year-end timing depends on whether you use the cash or accrual method.","A tip paid separately from the service counts as its own transaction, and Wag! counts refunds and reversals in the transaction total too.","Pet walkers and sitters are on the IRS tipped-occupations list, so Wag! tips can qualify for the No Tax on Tips deduction (up to $25,000, capped at your net income from the business)."],"competitors":["rover","care-com","petbacker"],"sources":["https://support.wagwalking.com/en_us/when-and-how-will-i-receive-my-1099-tax-documentation-pcg-r1EIb8IN5","https://support.wagwalking.com/en_us/what-is-an-independent-contractor-pcg-SJp0EHIVq","https://support.wagwalking.com/en_us/how-do-i-sign-up-as-a-pet-caregiver-pcg-SynZKfHXc","https://support.wagwalking.com/en_us/how-will-i-be-paid-pcg-SkgN_8UN5","https://support.wagwalking.com/en_us/stripe-instant-pay-SkuxUaG7C","https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/form-1099-k-faqs-general-information","https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1099mec","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":"Wag!'s 1099 article (updated March 12, 2026) still describes the 2025 tax year, says 'a minimum of 200 transactions' (the IRS rule is more than 200), and lists a $600 1099-NEC threshold; the 2026 figures here come from the IRS. Benefits and licensing language is on Wag!'s sign-up article (April 24, 2026).","asOf":"2026-10-07","url":"https://gigaverse.ai/platforms/wag","affiliated":false}