Gig Work Tax

How do I handle taxes for selling on Etsy and Amazon?

Etsy & eBayintermediate3 answers · 5 min readUpdated February 28, 2026

Quick Answer

Report all Etsy and Amazon income on one Schedule C form, combining your total revenue ($50,000 from both platforms = $50,000 reported income). Deduct all platform fees separately: Amazon's ~15% referral fees and Etsy's 6.5% transaction fees are fully deductible business expenses.

Best Answer

AT

Alex Torres, Gig Economy Tax Educator

Established Etsy sellers who have added Amazon as a second sales channel

Top Answer

Combine platforms on one Schedule C


When selling on both Etsy and Amazon, report all your income on a single Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business). Don't create separate Schedule C forms for each platform — the IRS wants to see your total business activity combined.


Income reporting strategy


Add up your gross sales from both platforms for Line 1 of Schedule C. Here's how to handle the numbers:


Example: 2026 Sales

  • Etsy gross sales: $35,000
  • Amazon gross sales: $28,000
  • Total business income (Schedule C, Line 1): $63,000

  • Important: Report gross sales, not net sales after fees. The platform fees become deductible expenses on other lines of Schedule C.


    Platform fee deductions breakdown


    Both platforms' fees are fully deductible business expenses, but categorize them properly:


    Amazon fees (Line 10 - Commission and fees):

  • Referral fees (typically 15%): $4,200 on $28,000 sales
  • FBA fees (if applicable): Variable
  • Payment processing (~3%): $840
  • Advertising (if used): Variable

  • Etsy fees (Line 10 - Commission and fees):

  • Transaction fees (6.5%): $2,275 on $35,000 sales
  • Payment processing (3%): $1,050
  • Listing fees: ~$300 (estimated)
  • Advertising (if used): Variable

  • Total deductible platform fees: $8,665


    1099-K form handling


    You may receive 1099-K forms from both platforms, but the amounts might not match your records:


  • Amazon issues 1099-K for gross payments over $600
  • Etsy issues 1099-K for sales over $20,000 AND 200+ transactions
  • 1099-K amounts include sales tax, refunds, and chargebacks

  • Critical: Report your actual sales numbers, not the 1099-K amounts. If there's a discrepancy, attach a statement explaining the difference.


    Inventory and shared expenses


    Many expenses benefit both platforms and should be allocated proportionally:


    Shared deductions:

  • Raw materials: Deduct 100% (Line 36 - Supplies)
  • Home office: Deduct 100% (Line 30 - Office expense or Form 8829)
  • Photography equipment: Deduct 100% (Line 13 - Depreciation)
  • Packaging supplies: Deduct 100%
  • Business insurance: Deduct 100%

  • Platform-specific expenses:

  • Amazon FBA storage fees: Amazon only
  • Etsy advertising spend: Etsy only
  • Platform-specific tools/subscriptions: Separate

  • Record keeping for dual platforms


    Maintain separate tracking for each platform to support your Schedule C:


    1. Monthly sales reports from both platforms

    2. Expense spreadsheet with platform columns

    3. Bank statements showing deposit patterns

    4. Receipts for shared and platform-specific expenses


    Self-employment tax calculation


    Your combined profit from both platforms is subject to self-employment tax:


    Example calculation:

  • Combined gross income: $63,000
  • Combined platform fees: $8,665
  • Other business expenses: $12,000
  • Net profit (Schedule C): $42,335
  • Self-employment tax (15.3%): $6,477

  • What you should do


    1. Download monthly reports from both Amazon Seller Central and Etsy

    2. Create a combined income/expense spreadsheet

    3. File one Schedule C with combined totals

    4. Track platform-specific fees separately for accurate deductions

    5. Consider quarterly estimated tax payments if profitable

    6. Keep detailed records in case of IRS questions about 1099-K discrepancies


    Key takeaway: Use one Schedule C to report combined income of $63,000, deduct $8,665 in platform fees separately, and pay 15.3% self-employment tax on your total profit from both platforms.

    Key Takeaway: Combine all sales on one Schedule C, deduct each platform's fees separately (Amazon's 15% + Etsy's 6.5%), and pay self-employment tax on your total profit from both platforms.

    Income and expense reporting for combined Etsy and Amazon selling

    Tax ItemHow to ReportExample Amount
    Etsy Gross SalesSchedule C, Line 1 (combined)$35,000
    Amazon Gross SalesSchedule C, Line 1 (combined)$28,000
    Total Business IncomeSchedule C, Line 1$63,000
    Amazon Referral Fees (15%)Schedule C, Line 10$4,200
    Etsy Transaction Fees (6.5%)Schedule C, Line 10$2,275
    Combined Platform FeesSchedule C, Line 10$6,475
    Other Business ExpensesVarious Schedule C lines$12,000
    Net Business ProfitSchedule C, Line 31$44,525
    Self-Employment TaxSchedule SE$6,814

    More Perspectives

    JO

    James Okafor, Self-Employment Tax Specialist

    First-year sellers who started on one platform and recently added the second

    Keep it simple: One business, one form


    As a new seller, the most important thing to understand is that selling on multiple platforms doesn't complicate your taxes much. You're running ONE business that happens to sell through two channels.


    The basic process


    Step 1: Add up all your sales from both platforms

    Step 2: Add up all your expenses (including platform fees)

    Step 3: Report everything on one Schedule C

    Step 4: Pay self-employment tax on your profit


    Common beginner mistakes to avoid


    Don't create separate Schedule C forms for each platform

    Don't report only 1099-K amounts — report your actual sales

    Don't forget platform fees are deductible — they're business expenses

    Don't mix personal and business expenses — keep clear records


    Your first-year reality check


    Most new sellers aren't immediately profitable once you account for:

  • Platform fees (Amazon ~15%, Etsy ~9%)
  • Materials and supplies
  • Shipping costs
  • Time investment

  • If you show a loss in your first year, that's normal and can offset other income on your tax return.


    When you need to pay quarterly taxes


    If your combined profit from both platforms exceeds $400, you'll owe self-employment tax and may need to make quarterly estimated tax payments. Track your running profit monthly to avoid year-end surprises.


    The key is consistent record-keeping from day one, not complex tax strategies.

    Key Takeaway: New sellers should focus on basic record-keeping: combine all income, deduct all expenses including platform fees, and file one Schedule C for both platforms.

    JO

    James Okafor, Self-Employment Tax Specialist

    People with regular jobs who sell on multiple platforms for extra income

    Adding Schedule C to your W-2 return


    Your multi-platform selling business gets reported on Schedule C, which attaches to the same Form 1040 where you report your W-2 wages. The combined income affects your total tax liability.


    Tax bracket considerations


    Since your W-2 income already puts you in a specific tax bracket, your selling profits get taxed at your marginal rate PLUS 15.3% self-employment tax.


    Example: W-2 salary of $75,000 (22% bracket)

  • Combined Etsy/Amazon profit: $15,000
  • Additional income tax: $3,300 (22% of $15,000)
  • Self-employment tax: $2,295 (15.3% of $15,000)
  • Total additional tax: $5,595

  • Quarterly payment strategy


    With W-2 withholding, you might avoid quarterly payments if:

  • Your W-2 withholding covers 90% of total tax owed
  • You adjust your W-4 to withhold extra for side hustle income
  • Your side hustle profit is under $1,000 annually

  • Year-end tax planning


    By December, calculate your combined platform profit and consider:

  • Accelerating business expenses into the current year
  • Contributing to a SEP-IRA (up to 25% of self-employment earnings)
  • Adjusting W-4 withholding for the following year

  • The advantage of multi-platform selling as a side hustle: diversified income streams with similar tax treatment, all reported on one simple Schedule C.

    Key Takeaway: Side hustlers add Schedule C profits to their W-2 income, paying marginal tax rate plus 15.3% self-employment tax on combined platform earnings.

    Sources

    multi platform sellingetsy amazon taxesschedule cbusiness expensesincome reporting

    Reviewed by James Okafor, Self-Employment Tax Specialist on February 28, 2026

    This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation.