Can I file taxes without a 1099 form my aunt hasn't sent me yet for housecleaning work?

You don't have to wait for the 1099 to file your taxes. The IRS deadline for businesses to send 1099s to contractors was January 31, so technically your aunt is already late. But that doesn't prevent you from filing your return. What matters is that you accurately report all income you received, whether documented on a 1099 or not. You should calculate the total amount you received from her in 2023 and report it on Schedule C as self-employment income. Keep good records of all payments you received - your own records are valid documentation. As for the business checks she's using to pay you - that's more her accounting issue than yours. From the IRS perspective, they care that you report all income regardless of how it was paid to you. Her using business checks for personal services might create problems for her tax deductions, but that's her concern.

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I went through something similar with my uncle's construction company. As others have said, you absolutely don't need to wait for the 1099 to file. Just list the income on Schedule C and keep track of your expenses too. Don't forget you can deduct costs like cleaning supplies, mileage driving to her house, any equipment you bought, even a portion of your phone bill if you use it for coordinating your work. These deductions can really reduce your self-employment tax.

The real issue here might be that your aunt is trying to deduct your house cleaning as a business expense when it's actually personal. That's probably why she's using business checks and wanting to issue a 1099 - to claim it as a business deduction when it's not legitimate. Just be aware that if you file accurately (which you should) and she files inaccurately, it could cause problems for both of you. Might be worth having an honest conversation with her about this.