How Do I Get a Copy of My 1099-C?

Form 1099-C, Cancellation of Debt, is an informational document issued by a financial institution or creditor when they forgive a debt of $600 or more. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) generally considers this forgiven amount as taxable income to the person who owed the money. Creditors are required to send a copy of this form to both you and the IRS by January 31 of the year following the debt cancellation.

Contacting the Creditor for Your Form

The most direct way to obtain a copy of your Form 1099-C is to contact the creditor who canceled the debt. Lenders, such as banks, credit card companies, or auto loan financiers, are obligated to provide you with a copy. Before reaching out, gather all relevant account information, including your full name, Social Security number, and the specific account number associated with the forgiven debt.

The creditor’s contact information is on previous billing statements, their official website, or any correspondence you have from them. When you contact their customer service department, state that you need a copy of the Form 1099-C for a specific tax year. They should be able to mail or electronically send you a duplicate copy.

It is helpful to be prepared with the details of the debt cancellation, such as the approximate date it occurred. If you speak with a representative, make a note of the date, the person’s name, and what was discussed for your records.

Obtaining a Transcript from the IRS

If you are unable to get the form from your creditor, perhaps because they are no longer in business or are unresponsive, you can get the same information from the IRS. The IRS does not provide an exact copy of the Form 1099-C, but it does offer a “Wage and Income Transcript” that contains the data filed by the creditor. This transcript will show information from all Forms 1099 and W-2 filed under your Social Security number for a given year.

The fastest way to get this transcript is by using the “Get Transcript Online” tool on the IRS website. To use this service, you will need to create an account and verify your identity. This requires access to a mobile phone in your name and specific financial information, such as a credit card number or loan account number, for verification purposes. Once registered, you can view, print, or download your Wage and Income Transcript immediately.

Alternatively, you can request a transcript by mail by submitting Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, to the IRS. On this form, you would check box 8 for “Wage and Income Transcript.” This method is slower, as it can take 5 to 10 calendar days for the transcript to be mailed to the address the IRS has on file for you. A request can also be made by calling the IRS directly.

Correcting Errors on a Form 1099-C

Upon receiving your Form 1099-C, either from the creditor or an IRS transcript, review it for accuracy. If you find an error, such as an incorrect amount of canceled debt in Box 2 or a wrong date, you should contact the creditor who issued the form. Explain the discrepancy and formally request that they issue a “corrected Form 1099-C.”

When you communicate with the creditor, be prepared to provide documentation that supports your claim of an error. Keep detailed records of all your communications, including dates of calls or letters, the names of representatives you spoke with, and a summary of the conversation.

If the creditor agrees there is an error, they will file a corrected form with the IRS and send you a new copy. If they refuse to make a correction, you would report the income as shown on the form but can also file Form 8275, Disclosure Statement, with your tax return to explain the discrepancy to the IRS.