The regulations reshaping how we shop, resell, bet, and scroll in the new year
Every January brings a fresh wave of legislation, but most of it feels irrelevant to daily life. Not this year. A collection of new federal and state laws taking effect in 2026 will directly impact how sneakerheads cop releases, how resellers report income, how sports fans place bets, and even how we cancel those streaming subscriptions we forgot about.
Here's what you actually need to know:
Consumer Protection & Shopping
Click-to-Cancel Rule (FTC - National)
Who it matters to: Anyone with subscriptions (sneaker apps, streaming, gym memberships)
Why: Remember trying to cancel that sneaker raffle app or streaming service and being forced to call customer service or navigate a maze of pages? That's over. The FTC now requires that canceling must be as easy as signing up. One-click signup = one-click cancellation.
Source: Consumer Protection Laws Guide
"Surveillance Pricing" Transparency (New York - Already Active)
Who it matters to: New York online shoppers
Why: Ever notice prices change when you check from different devices? Retailers using algorithms to set prices based on your personal data must now clearly disclose this. It's called "surveillance pricing," and now you'll know when stores are charging you based on your browsing history.
Source: CBS New York - New Laws 2026
Food Delivery App Refunds (California - January 1)
Who it matters to: California residents ordering delivery
Why: DoorDash, UberEats, and similar platforms must now refund you for wrong or missing items, provide access to a real person (not just bots), let you adjust tips, and show all costs upfront—no surprise fees at checkout.
Source: CBS 8 San Diego - New California Consumer Laws
Resale Market & Side Hustles
Sneaker & Collectible Resale Tax Implications (IRS - Ongoing)
Who it matters to: Anyone flipping sneakers, streetwear, or collectibles
Why: If you're making money on StockX, GOAT, or eBay, the IRS is watching. Payment platforms must issue 1099-K forms for transactions over $600 (down from previous $20,000 threshold). Sneaker collectibles are subject to capital gains tax—up to 28% for items held over a year. Keep detailed records of what you paid vs. what you sold for.
Source: BlockApps - Legal Considerations in Sneaker Reselling
TICKET Act (Federal - Pending)
Who it matters to: Concert and sports event attendees, secondary market buyers
Why: If passed, this federal law would ban speculative ticket sales (scalpers can't sell tickets they don't actually have), require total price disclosure upfront (no hidden fees), and mandate clear labeling when you're buying from resellers vs. primary sellers. While focused on tickets, expect similar scrutiny for sneaker raffles and drops.
Source: Congress.gov - TICKET Act Full Text
Social Media & Digital Life
Virginia Social Media Time Limits for Minors (January 1)
Who it matters to: Parents and teens in Virginia
Why: Social platforms must limit minors (under 16) to one hour per day unless parents provide verifiable consent. Targeted advertising and profiling of minors face severe restrictions. First state to enforce this type of daily usage cap.
Source: Ketch - Data Privacy Laws 2026
California AI Chatbot Regulations (January 1)
Who it matters to: Anyone using AI companions or chatbots
Why: AI chatbots like Character.AI must clearly disclose they're artificial, especially to minors. They're also banned from posing as licensed professionals (doctors, therapists) and must have protocols to detect self-harm language and provide crisis resources. This follows lawsuits claiming chatbots encouraged harmful behavior.
Sources:
New York AI in Advertising (January 1)
Who it matters to: Content creators, influencers, brand marketers
Why: Ads using AI-generated "synthetic performers" (deepfakes, AI avatars) must prominently disclose this. Violations start at $1,000 fines. If you see a "person" in an ad that's AI-generated, they have to tell you.
Source: Pearl Cohen - New AI Laws 2026
Sports Betting & Gaming
New Gambling Tax Treatment (Federal - 2026)
Who it matters to: Sports bettors nationwide
Why: Here's where it gets messy. Under Trump's tax bill, you can now only deduct 90% of gambling losses from your winnings (previously 100%). This creates "phantom income" taxation.
Example: You win $100,000 betting on NBA games but lose $100,000 over the year. Under the old rules, these cancel out—zero tax. Under new rules, you can only deduct $90,000 of losses, meaning you owe taxes on $10,000 of "income" you never actually kept.
Industry leaders have called this provision a "mistake" and Trump himself has suggested he might repeal gambling income taxes entirely, but nothing's official yet.
Sources:
Sweepstakes Gambling Bans (California, New York, New Jersey)
Who it matters to: Online casino and "social casino" users
Why: Several states are cracking down on sweepstakes gambling sites (platforms that use "sweepstakes" coins convertible to real money). California's ban takes effect January 1, 2026. If you've been using these as a workaround in non-gambling states, those days are ending.
Source: Axios - Gambling Tax Laws 2026
Tax Breaks & Money Matters
Toddler Tax Break (New York State - Claimable on 2025 Taxes)
Who it matters to: New York families with children under 4
Why: New York now offers a $1,000 tax credit for each child under 4 for families meeting income requirements. This is the first phase of an expanded Child Tax Credit.
Income thresholds:
- Single filers earning under $75,000 get the full $1,000 credit
- Joint filers earning under $110,000 get the full credit
- Higher earners receive reduced credits on a sliding scale
Why this matters: This puts real money back in parents' pockets during the expensive early childhood years—think daycare costs, diapers, and yes, even those tiny sneakers that kids outgrow in three months.
Source: NY Times - New York Laws 2026
Cannabis & Lifestyle
Federal Cannabis Rescheduling (In Progress)
Who it matters to: Anyone in states with legal cannabis
Why: Trump signed an executive order December 18 directing federal agencies to move marijuana from Schedule I (alongside heroin) to Schedule III (alongside ketamine and anabolic steroids). This won't make it federally legal, but it's a massive symbolic shift that could ease banking restrictions, reduce IRS tax burdens on dispensaries (via Section 280E reform), and accelerate state legalization efforts.
Source: Buchanan Law - Marijuana Schedule III
What This Means For You
The common thread across all these regulations? Transparency and consumer protection. Whether you're copping limited edition Jordans, flipping vintage tees, betting on your favorite team, or just trying to cancel a subscription, 2026's laws are designed to make digital commerce fairer and more transparent.
Action items:
- Resellers: Keep detailed records of every purchase and sale. That $600 threshold means the IRS now sees your side hustle.
- Sports bettors: Track your wins AND losses meticulously. The new 90% deduction rule could cost you at tax time.
- Parents in NY: File for that toddler tax credit—it's free money.
- Subscription havers: Use that new FTC click-to-cancel rule to audit your recurring charges.
- Content creators: Disclose AI-generated content in your work to stay compliant.
The regulatory landscape is shifting fast, but knowledge is power. Stay informed, stay compliant, and keep doing your thing.
Have questions about how these laws affect you? Reach out to your Tax Advisor.
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