• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

2

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic

3

Ray Dalio says the U.S. just had its 'Suez moment'—and history says what comes next could end an empire

1

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

2

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic

3

Ray Dalio says the U.S. just had its 'Suez moment'—and history says what comes next could end an empire
CommentaryCongress

eBay CEO: ‘I supported the American Rescue Plan–but a little-known provision will hurt millions of Americans who buy and sell used goods online’

By
Jamie Iannone
Jamie Iannone
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Jamie Iannone
Jamie Iannone
Down Arrow Button Icon
December 16, 2022, 7:07 AM ET
The IRS considers the sale of second-hand goods for less than the original purchase price to be non-taxable income–but casual sellers are unlikely to have the original receipts for items they purchased years ago.
The IRS considers the sale of second-hand goods for less than the original purchase price to be non-taxable income–but casual sellers are unlikely to have the original receipts for items they purchased years ago.Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

This year, record inflation has taken a heavy toll on Americans, with high energy and food prices plaguing them for months. And while the Inflation Reduction Act offers some relief, it will take time for people to experience its benefits.

Many Americans need extra cash today, not tomorrow, next week, or next year. This is where online marketplaces play a critical role. For millions, these marketplaces are more than just shopping platforms: they are an economic parachute helping to fund critical everyday needs such as food, medicine, and utility bills. Those people will find themselves in a real bind should Congress fail to address a major change to the tax reporting requirements for online sales before the end of the year. 

The vast majority of Americans selling online are not running businesses, but rather are casual sellers who occasionally sell used or pre-owned goods to make a little extra money. These individuals’ sales online have typically been below the threshold that would trigger a notification to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which means they did not receive a 1099-K tax form–until now.

Section 9674 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 included a last-minute provision that drastically reduced that threshold, imposing a significant administrative burden that could jeopardize access to these marketplaces for millions of Americans. 

As the CEO of eBay, I supported the American Rescue Plan, which provided economic relief for American workers and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the lowering of the 1099-K threshold from $20,000 in annual payments (and 200 transactions) to just $600 does the opposite of the legislation’s intended goals and will cause confusion, increased cost, and tax overreporting for those Americans who need the extra income the most.

Today, online marketplaces have taken on even greater significance amid the economic challenges of the past two years. Platforms like ours help individuals find items that may not be available in stores and often at a fraction of the price, which helps people save money that can be used for other necessary expenses. We are committed to promoting the interests of casual sellers as we educate policymakers about the important role re-commerce (the reselling of pre-owned goods) plays in helping hard-working individuals and families.

As many Americans find their paycheck doesn’t stretch as far these days, they are turning to the re-commerce market to supplement their income. This is particularly true for women, who have shouldered a lion’s share of the pandemic’s economic burden. The small amount of money earned from cleaning out a closet or garage can ensure the utility bill is paid or there is food on the table. A survey of e-commerce sellers that had less than $20,000 in online sales last year found nearly half are selling online to pay for necessary personal expenses such as medicine, housing, and clothing. The new reporting threshold could put that in jeopardy.

Over the years, filing taxes has grown increasingly complicated, confusing, and expensive–taxpayers spend tens of billions of dollars each year on software and other filing expenses. The new reporting requirement checks off all those boxes for casual online sellers who will be surprised to find they may receive an IRS 1099-K form come the next tax season. While the IRS considers the sale of second-hand goods for less than the original purchase price to be non-taxable income, casual sellers would have the burden to prove to the IRS that they earned no taxable income from those sales. And, if they don’t have proof of the original price, then they could be liable for income tax on those sales.

Most casual sellers are unlikely to have the original receipt from the old bike, stroller, or gently used shoes they sold online, and it’s unreasonable to require such proof given the small transactions involved. Many will decide they need to hire a tax expert while others will simply overreport their income to be on the safe side–wasting money that could have a real impact on household budgets.

Potential and existing sellers, daunted by the possibility of a complicated tax form, may simply refrain from participating in the marketplace altogether or even throw away those items which could be used by someone else instead of adding to our landfills.

The more budget-conscious consumers who are flocking to the re-commerce market to purchase previously owned goods will be particularly impacted by this change. Online marketplace platforms offer alternative avenues for finding much-needed items that are either more expensive elsewhere or unavailable due to persistent supply chain issues. If sellers sit on the sidelines, weary consumers will have to look elsewhere, which will make this holiday season even more difficult for many.

Tax regulations that govern the re-commerce market must be based on common sense and account for those Americans who only use online marketplace platforms occasionally–Section 9674 does neither.

eBay urges Congress to immediately raise the reporting threshold to a more reasonable figure that would maintain access to online marketplaces for all Americans without undue burdens, additional expense, or fear of making a tax misstep.

Jamie Iannone is the president and CEO of eBay, Inc.

The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.

More must-read commentary published by Fortune:

  • Will the U.S. and Europe slide into recession in 2023? Here’s how to look out when economic outlooks don’t
  • Biden crowned world energy czar as diplomacy triumphs over Putin’s tantrums
  • Are you wagering money on the World Cup? Sports betting is taking America by storm–and a third of young men are hooked
  • Could Kanye West be placed under Kim Kardashian’s conservatorship?

Our new weekly Impact Report newsletter examines how ESG news and trends are shaping the roles and responsibilities of today's executives. Subscribe here.

About the Author
By Jamie Iannone
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Commentary

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Commentary

jon
Commentaryphilanthropy
Shell Foundation CEO: climate tech works. Getting it to a billion people who need it is the hard part
By Jonathan BermanJune 26, 2026
17 hours ago
mj
CommentarySuccession
Morgan Stanley on life after selling your business: a roadmap for entrepreneurs
By Mark JansenJune 26, 2026
19 hours ago
nido
Commentary250 Years of Innovation
As an immigrant turned entrepreneur and college president, here is why I celebrate our nation as it turns 250
By Nido R. QubeinJune 25, 2026
2 days ago
Asia’s defense boom is rewiring the global arms supply chain
Commentaryarms, weapons, and defense
Asia’s defense boom is rewiring the global arms supply chain
By Chris OberoiJune 24, 2026
2 days ago
steve
Commentary250 Years of Innovation
Steve Case: America was built by entrepreneurs. Here’s how we keep that edge for the next 250 years
By Steve CaseJune 24, 2026
3 days ago
t
CommentaryWhite House
Trump mistakes the bully pulpit for bullying leadership — history’s villains were never heroes
By Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven TianJune 24, 2026
3 days ago

Most Popular

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
Success
MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
By Sydney LakeJune 25, 2026
2 days ago
Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic
Success
Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 24, 2026
3 days ago
Ray Dalio says the U.S. just had its 'Suez moment'—and history says what comes next could end an empire
Economy
Ray Dalio says the U.S. just had its 'Suez moment'—and history says what comes next could end an empire
By Nick LichtenbergJune 26, 2026
23 hours ago
The bond market knows something about the $39 trillion national debt that Washington doesn’t
Economy
The bond market knows something about the $39 trillion national debt that Washington doesn’t
By Eva RoytburgJune 25, 2026
1 day ago
Trump turns on Big Oil donors who spent nearly $100 million to get him elected—now he wants the DOJ to investigate them for price gouging
Economy
Trump turns on Big Oil donors who spent nearly $100 million to get him elected—now he wants the DOJ to investigate them for price gouging
By Tristan BoveJune 25, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of oil as of June 26, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 26, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 26, 2026
17 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.