Can I use PayPal statements as proof of self-employment for NY unemployment benefits?
Has anyone successfully submitted PayPal transaction statements as proof of self-employment income for NY unemployment benefits? I'm a freelance graphic designer and most of my clients pay me through PayPal. I need to verify my income for my claim, but I'm not sure if NYSDOL will accept PayPal statements or if I need something more "official" like 1099 forms. Really hoping I don't have to track down dozens of clients for paperwork. Thanks for any advice!
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Malik Thompson
Yes, PayPal statements can work but you need to prepare them properly. I'm a freelancer too and successfully used PayPal records in 2024. Make sure you download the detailed transaction history reports that show client names, payment dates, and amounts. NYSDOL wants to see consistent income patterns, so provide at least 6 months of statements. Also include any 1099s you do have, even if just from a few clients. The more documentation, the better!
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Emma Anderson
•That's such a relief! Did you need to create any kind of summary sheet or just submit the raw PayPal statements? Also wondering if I should highlight or mark the business transactions since my personal stuff is mixed in there too.
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Isabella Ferreira
I tried using just PayPal and got denied initially. You really need tax returns too. They want to see that you actually reported that income.
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Emma Anderson
•Oh no, that's concerning. I do have my Schedule C from last year's taxes. Should I submit that along with the PayPal statements?
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CosmicVoyager
I successfully used PayPal statements last year but had to format them correctly. Download CSV reports from PayPal, then create a spreadsheet showing ONLY business transactions with clear labels for client name, service provided, date, and amount. Delete all personal transactions. Include a cover letter explaining that these are your business records. Also provide your most recent tax return with Schedule C as supporting evidence. The key is making it easy for them to verify the income - don't make them hunt through pages of mixed transactions.
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Emma Anderson
•Thank you for the detailed explanation! This is exactly what I needed to know. I'll create a spreadsheet and make sure everything is clearly labeled. Really appreciate the help.
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Ravi Kapoor
they need 1099 forms not paypal!!! my cousin tried using venmo and paypal stuff and got rejected, waste of time
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CosmicVoyager
•This isn't entirely accurate. While 1099s are preferred, NYSDOL will accept alternative documentation when 1099s aren't available for all income. The key is providing multiple forms of evidence showing consistent self-employment. PayPal statements along with tax returns, client invoices, and bank statements showing the transferred funds can work together.
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Freya Nielsen
I've been trying to get through to NYSDOL for weeks to ask about documentation but can't reach anyone. My claim is pending and I'm getting really worried because I submitted PayPal statements but haven't heard anything back. Has anyone had any luck getting through to an actual person??? My bills are piling up and I don't know what to do if they reject my proof...
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Omar Mahmoud
•I was in the same situation last month - couldn't get through to anyone for weeks. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes after trying for days on my own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE The agent I spoke with confirmed they do accept PayPal statements but said they need to be accompanied by tax documents showing you reported the income. Worth the call to get clarification on exactly what they need so you don't waste time submitting incomplete documentation.
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Chloe Harris
I sent in my PayPal last month along with some invoices I had created for clients and my tax return from last year. Got approved without any issues! Just make sure the PayPal statements clearly show it's business income and not like friends sending you money or something.
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Emma Anderson
•That's great to hear! I do create proper invoices for most clients so I'll definitely include those too. Did you have to wait long after submitting your documents?
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Ravi Kapoor
everyone here saying different things!! so confused now
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Malik Thompson
•The different answers reflect different experiences, which is normal with NYSDOL. Here's the bottom line: PayPal statements alone are usually insufficient, but PayPal statements + tax returns + invoices will typically work. The key is showing multiple forms of evidence that all tell the same story about your self-employment income.
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Isabella Ferreira
My boyfriend had to send in bank statements showing the PayPal deposits too. They wanted to see the money actually going into his account not just PayPal receipts. Just something else to consider.
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Emma Anderson
•Thanks for mentioning this! I can definitely include my bank statements too. I'll gather everything - PayPal reports, invoices, bank statements, and tax returns with Schedule C. Sounds like more documentation is better than not enough.
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CosmicVoyager
As a follow-up - I spoke with a NYSDOL agent recently about this exact issue. For self-employment in 2025, they're specifically looking for: 1) Tax returns with Schedule C from previous year, 2) Any 1099s you have, 3) Organized payment records (PayPal/bank/etc.) showing consistent work, and 4) Client invoices or contracts. The more of these you can provide, the better your chances of approval without delays. They understand not everyone has the same documentation, especially freelancers.
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Emma Anderson
•This is incredibly helpful! I'm going to put together a complete package with all these documents. Really appreciate everyone's advice here - feeling much more confident about my application now.
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