On Wednesday, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) and other members of the Ways and Means Committee held a hearing to review the current tax filing season and discuss how the Working Families Tax Cuts are affecting working-class Americans. Frank J. Bisignano, Chief Executive Officer of the Internal Revenue Service, appeared as a witness.
Congresswoman Miller spoke about her legislation, the Saving Gig Economy Taxpayers Act, which was included in the Working Families Tax Cuts bill. This act changes the 1099-K reporting threshold back to $20,000 and 200 transactions. Miller said this adjustment would prevent gig workers such as hairdressers, rideshare drivers, and online sellers from being unfairly targeted by the IRS for taxes they do not owe.
During the hearing, Miller asked Bisignano about IRS guidance for gig workers who do not have traditional wage income. She stated: “Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. And thank you so much for being here, Mr. Bisignano, so that people can hear what you have accomplished in the short period of time you’ve been here. And what a great job you’ve been doing.
The Working Families Tax Cuts is a major win for gig workers who support local economies through their products and services.
I was pleased that my legislation which reverts the 1099-K reporting threshold, to $20,000 and 200 transactions, was finally signed into law through the Working Family Tax Cuts. This will keep gig workers like hairdressers, uber drivers, and craftsmen who sell products online from being harassed by the IRS for taxes they really don’t owe.
Mr. Bisignano, for taxpayers, who may not have traditional wage income, such as those gig workers or small-business owners, what guidance and tools are the IRS providing so they can fully benefit from the Working Families Tax Cuts?”
Bisignano responded: “I appreciate your hard work and I appreciate the question. Thank you. Thank you for having me here.
Obviously, the gig economy over the past ten years has turned into something that Americans rely on. I’m proud to say that during the course of this year, we put out more than 900 pieces of policy and guidance, and we will continue doing that.
I applaud the work that you do. I will ensure that we continue the work on the gig economy, communication of guidance and policy. We’ve ensured that tax preparers understood it as well as we communicated to the American public. And we’ll go back and ensure that it’s as good as humanly possible. And any recommendations your office may have to improve it, we’re happy to hear it.”
Miller also pointed out an increase in average tax refunds during this year’s filing season compared to last year—up by over 14 percent—and noted its significance for families in West Virginia.
She said: “For most Americans, the clearest sign that the system is working for them is the size of their refund. As of February 14 in the 2026 filing season, the average refund amount is up by an impressive 14.2 percent over the same period last year, and the average direct deposit refund is up 13.1 percent, meaning families are seeing noticeably larger deposits hit their bank accounts compared to this time in 2025.
This provides Americans with well-deserved financial flexibility and is particularly important to my home state of West Virginia.
What exactly is driving these double digit increases in the average refund and average direct deposit refund amounts so early in the 2026 filing season? What does this signal about how the Working Families Tax Cuts and other reforms are reaching middle class households?”
Bisignano replied: “Well, you know, the fact that we have 56, as of [March 2nd] we have 56 million returns. And 23 million, 43%, have schedule 1-A’s. And Schedule 1-A when I think about it is all hard work that you did for American public right? If you look at ones-A’s…overtime filers are largest individual category…senior deduction…people under $100k fundamentally largest beneficiaries on percentage basis…no tax on tips…no tax on overtime…no tax on car loan interest…new tax deductions for seniors…Trump Accounts…dependents already enrolled…
And then expensing qualified factories…domestic R&D expensing…expense for capital investments…Full expensing…199A pass through…Double Standard Deduction…double Debt Tax Exemption…Child Tax Credit expanded…and permanency…
These are all permanencies…and then Opportunity Zone…and SALT extension until 2030…”
Carol Miller has represented West Virginia’s 1st congressional district since replacing Evan Jenkins in Congress in 2019 after serving over a decade in state government roles including service from 2006-2018 in West Virginia’s House of Delegates.
