How to Find, Review, and File Your Stash 1099 Form

Tax season can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with investment accounts like Stash. If you’ve earned dividends, sold stocks, or received other taxable income through the platform, you’ll receive a 1099 form. This document is essential for reporting your earnings to the IRS and avoiding tax issues.

To ensure accuracy, it’s important to know how to access, review, and report your 1099 from Stash.

Finding and Accessing Your 1099

Stash provides tax documents electronically, typically issuing them by mid-February. You can access your 1099 through the Stash app or website by logging in and navigating to the tax documents section under account settings or statements. If you have multiple accounts, note that tax forms are only issued for taxable accounts.

If your 1099 isn’t visible, check whether you met the reporting thresholds. A 1099-B is issued only if you sold investments, while a 1099-DIV is generated if you earned at least $10 in dividends. If you believe you should have received a form but don’t see it, check your email for notifications from Stash. Also, verify that your account details, such as your mailing address and email, are up to date.

Stash may use a third-party provider, such as Apex Clearing, to generate tax documents. If this applies to your account, you may need to retrieve your 1099 through the clearing firm’s portal. Stash typically provides instructions for accessing these documents, but if you’re unsure, reviewing past statements or contacting customer support can help.

Types of Income Reflected on the Form

The 1099 from Stash details taxable income earned through your investments. One of the most common types is dividend income, categorized as either qualified or ordinary. Qualified dividends are taxed at lower long-term capital gains rates (0% to 20% in 2024, depending on taxable income), while ordinary dividends are taxed at regular income tax rates, which can be as high as 37% for top earners.

Capital gains, reported on the 1099-B, reflect profits or losses from selling stocks or ETFs. The tax rate depends on how long you held the asset. Investments held for more than a year qualify for long-term capital gains rates, which are lower than short-term rates that match ordinary income tax brackets. Losses can offset gains, and up to $3,000 in net losses can be deducted against other income annually.

Interest income may also appear on the 1099 if you earned interest from cash balances or fixed-income investments. This income is fully taxable at ordinary rates. Additionally, distributions from real estate investment trusts (REITs) or mutual funds may include a mix of dividends, capital gains, and return of capital. The return of capital portion is not immediately taxable but reduces the investment’s cost basis, affecting future gains when sold.

Reviewing the Form for Accuracy

Once you have your 1099, reviewing it for accuracy is important to avoid IRS issues. Start by confirming your personal information, including your name, Social Security number, and address. Errors can lead to processing delays or IRS notices. If any details are incorrect, update your information with Stash and request a corrected form before filing.

Check that the income amounts match your records. Compare the figures on your 1099 with trade confirmations and account statements. If you reinvested dividends, they are still taxable and should be reflected on your form. If amounts appear incorrect or missing, contact Stash for clarification.

Tax withholding should also be reviewed. If backup withholding was applied due to a missing or incorrect Form W-9, it will be listed on your 1099 and can be claimed as a credit on your tax return. If withholding appears but you didn’t authorize it, reach out to Stash. Some states require reporting of state tax withholding, so ensure this information is correctly included.

Handling an Amended 1099

If Stash issues an amended 1099, you may need to adjust your tax return. Amendments typically occur due to late-reported income, reclassification of dividends, or corrections from third-party data providers. Even small changes can affect your tax liability, so review the revised form carefully.

If an amendment increases your reported income, you may owe additional taxes, possibly with interest. The IRS charges interest on unpaid taxes from the original due date, calculated at the federal short-term rate plus 3%, compounded daily. If the amendment reduces your taxable income, you can file an amended return using Form 1040-X to claim a refund. If the changes are minor, the cost and effort of amending may not be worthwhile, so consulting a tax professional is advisable.

Reporting the 1099 Details on Your Return

After verifying your 1099, correctly reporting the information on your tax return is essential. Different types of investment income must be reported on specific tax forms.

Dividend income from a 1099-DIV should be entered on Schedule B if total interest and dividends exceed $1,500. Qualified dividends must be separately reported on the Qualified Dividends and Capital Gain Tax Worksheet to calculate the reduced tax rate. Capital gains and losses from a 1099-B are reported on Form 8949, categorized by holding periods. These totals then flow to Schedule D, which determines the final taxable gain or deductible loss. If you have multiple transactions, using tax software or importing data directly from Stash can simplify the process.

If your 1099 includes tax withholding, such as backup withholding, report it on Form 1040, Line 25b, as it offsets your total tax liability. If you received foreign dividends subject to withholding, you may be eligible for the Foreign Tax Credit, which can be claimed on Form 1116. Properly classifying and reporting income helps prevent IRS issues and ensures you take advantage of deductions and credits that could lower your tax burden.