The annual Federal tax reporting compensation threshold is changing from $600 to $2,000, effective January 1, 2026.
What does this mean for researchers?
Will I be paid?
You will be paid [amount] by [method] for each visit, for a total of [amount] . You will be paid [indicate when payment will be received] . If you do not complete the entire project, you will be paid [amount] for each visit you complete. Payment totals across all study participation at WCM of $2,000 or more in a calendar year will be reported by WCM to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You will be asked to complete a W9 form. At the end of the tax year, Weill Cornell Medicine will use this information to provide you with Federal Form 1099-MISC. This payment is considered taxable income and you will need to provide your name, address, and social security number to receive payment. If you do not complete the W9 form, you may join this study, but you will not get any payments. [If applicable, include any alternatives to the payment schedule or information regarding reimbursements.]
[Include this option in the signature section if participants will be paid:]
[ ] I opt out of receiving payment for my participation in this study.
Given the consent addendum is already approved by the IRB for this specific change, you do not need to submit an amendment prior to using this consent addendum, but you will need to include the consent addendum used for enrolled participants and update and include your previously approved consent form with the new compensation language for new participants to be enrolled at the time of your next amendment or continuing review submission, whichever comes first.
Investigators are only required to complete the following fields on the template:
You may download the IRB-approved consent addendum here:
Make sure your Informed Consent Form is a readable document!
See our Guidance Document on how to prepare a readable consent form.
See our list of Medical Terms in Lay Language for use in Informed Consent Forms.
Refer to the Program for Readability in Science & Medicine (PRISM) Readability Toolkit
Refer to the MRCT Research Glossary for easy-to-understand clinical research definitions.
Protocol and Consent Templates on Common Wearables:
Any new studies initiated in WRG-HS starting 6/12, must use the new ICF templates.
Any existing study using the previous consent templates can continue to use their IRB-approved consent. Any new studies initiated in WRG-HS starting 6/12, must use the new ICF templates.
Studies with an external IRB are expected to use consent forms provided by the lead IRB. Once the externally reviewed ICF is provided to the WCM IRB, we will conduct a local context review to confirm any required language (i.e. research-related injury, NYS Genetic testing requirements, etc.). The new WCM ICF templates are available as a resource if needed, but not required for externally reviewed studies.
You can continue to use the same ICF.
