Turo hosts must report their earnings as taxable income whether or not they get a 1099-K. Turo issues a 1099-K if you earned 20,000 dollars with 200 transactions, or less in states with lower thresholds, and it reports gross earnings before Turo's fees, so the figure will be higher than what reached your bank.
Renting out your car on Turo is a business as far as tax is concerned, and the paperwork has a few quirks. The biggest one surprises almost every new host: the number on the 1099-K is bigger than the money you were paid. Here's why, plus the deadlines and state rules Turo publishes, and the order to work through it all when you sit down to do your return.
Will you get a 1099-K from Turo?
| You'll get one if | Details |
|---|---|
| You submitted your tax information by Turo's deadline | For the 2025 tax year Turo's deadline was January 12, 2026 |
| You're a US person | Non-US hosts follow different rules |
| You earned 20,000 dollars with 200 transactions | The federal threshold |
| Or you live in a state with a lower threshold | See the state table below |
Here's the catch with the deadline: Turo says if you miss it, you won't receive a 1099-K at all. That doesn't mean you don't owe tax. It means you'll be working from your own records and Turo's tax information page instead.
States with lower thresholds
| State | Threshold Turo lists for 2025 |
|---|---|
| Arkansas | 2,500 dollars or more |
| District of Columbia | 600 dollars or more |
| Illinois | 1,000 dollars or more and 4 transactions |
| Maryland | 600 dollars or more |
| Massachusetts | 600 dollars |
| Montana | 600 dollars or more |
| New Jersey | 1,000 dollars or more |
| Vermont | 600 dollars or more |
| Virginia | 600 dollars or more |
Why your 1099-K is higher than your payouts
Turo reports what the IRS calls unadjusted gross sales, and Turo calls gross earnings. That figure includes trip earnings, Turo's own fees, host incentives and host fees. It doesn't include reimbursements or sales tax. Because it hasn't been reduced by Turo's fees, Turo says plainly that the gross earnings on your 1099-K will be more than the total you received.
To check the numbers, use the gross earnings figure on your Tax information page, which should match box 1a on your 1099-K. Don't compare it to the earnings chart in your account, which is the number most hosts look at day to day: that shows trip earnings after sales tax, host incentives and reimbursements, without Turo fees or host fees, so it's a different number.
Reporting Turo income: the order of work
- Download your 1099-K and the earnings breakdown from the Tax information page.
- Download your transaction history for trip-by-trip detail.
- Report your gross earnings as income.
- Deduct Turo's fees, which are already inside the gross figure, along with your other business costs.
- Speak to a tax professional about which schedule fits your level of involvement as a host. Turo itself recommends a licensed tax professional.
Local taxes to check
Turo also points hosts to taxes beyond income tax. Depending on where you are, local rental car tax, use tax or tourism tax may apply. These vary by city and state, so check your local rules rather than assuming Turo has handled them.
Keep your tax information up to date
Turo says that if you don't submit your tax information, it may pause your payments until you do. You'll find the link in the Resources section of your Earnings page. If your account is closed or you've removed all your vehicles, Turo support can send you a link to submit it. Errors in your name, address or taxpayer number on the 1099-K go to Turo Customer Support through the Contact us button in the Help Center.
Paper copies
Turo emails the 1099-K and shows it in the Tax information section of the Earnings tab. It won't post one unless you ask for a paper copy before the end of the year. If you want a paper form for your records, request it early.
Reimbursements and sales tax
Two things are left out of Turo's gross earnings figure: reimbursements, such as a guest paying you back for fuel or tolls, and sales tax. That's helpful, because they're not your income in the usual sense. But it means the earnings chart in your account, which includes reimbursements, won't line up with the 1099-K. Use the right figure for the right job: gross earnings for the tax form, the chart for running the business.
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Expenses hosts track
Because you report the gross figure, the deductions do the heavy lifting. Keep records of the costs of running the car for Turo trips, cleaning, maintenance and the share of your car costs that relates to hosting. Personal use of the same car complicates the split, so a log of which days the car was listed or booked helps when you come to work it out.
My verdict
Submit your tax information the day you start hosting, expect a 1099-K bigger than your payouts, and reconcile it with the gross earnings figure rather than your bank deposits. Before you scale up, read my Turo safety check for the protection plans, and my receipt scanner app picks for keeping the costs organised.
Frequently asked questions
Does Turo send a 1099-K?
Yes, to US hosts who submit their tax information on time and earn 20,000 dollars with 200 transactions, or less in states with lower thresholds.
Why is my Turo 1099-K more than I was paid?
It reports gross earnings, including Turo fees and host fees, before Turo's fees are taken off.
What happens if I miss Turo's tax information deadline?
Turo says you won't receive a 1099-K, and it may pause your payments until you submit your details.
Must I report Turo income without a 1099-K?
Yes. The IRS says you must report income whether or not you receive a Form 1099-K.
Does Turo mail a paper 1099-K?
Not unless you request a paper copy by the end of the year. Otherwise it's emailed and shown in your account.
