How to Get Your 1099 Form and What to Do If It’s Missing
Accurately reporting 1099 income is your responsibility. This guide outlines the proper procedures for obtaining and verifying forms to ensure tax compliance.
Form 1099 is an information return the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires businesses to issue for reporting various types of income paid to non-employees. Unlike a Form W-2, which reports wages for employees, a 1099 details payments for services, rents, prizes, or other miscellaneous income streams. This reporting ensures that both the recipient and the IRS have a record of the income, promoting accurate tax filings. The form provides the necessary data for the recipient to calculate their tax.
Identifying Who Should Send You a 1099
For independent contractors, freelancers, or gig workers, the most common form is the 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation. A business or individual must send you a 1099-NEC if they paid you $600 or more during the calendar year for your services. This threshold applies to the total payments made, not individual transactions.
Another frequent form is the 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Information, which covers payments like rent, prizes, or awards of $600 or more, and royalty payments of at least $10. Payments processed through third-party settlement organizations, such as payment apps, are reported on Form 1099-K. For tax year 2024, the federal reporting threshold for this form is for payments totaling over $5,000.
Payers are legally required to send these forms to recipients by January 31 of the year following the payment year. These documents are delivered via physical mail to your last known address or made available electronically through a secure online portal, which requires your consent.
Steps to Take if Your 1099 is Missing
If the January 31 deadline passes and you have not received an expected Form 1099, first check your records. Review your mail carefully, as tax documents can be overlooked. You should also search your email inbox, spam, and junk folders, as many payers now opt for electronic delivery.
After confirming the form is not in your possession, contact the payer directly. You will need to provide your full name, current mailing address, and your taxpayer identification number, which is your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). It is also helpful to have a summary of the payments you received from them to help verify the amounts.
Actions When a Payer Fails to Provide a 1099
Even if a payer fails to issue a Form 1099, your legal obligation to report all earned income to the IRS remains unchanged. If you have contacted the payer and they are unresponsive or refuse to provide the document, you must proceed with filing your taxes using the information you have to reconstruct your income totals.
To do this, rely on your personal financial records. Compile all relevant documentation, such as:
- Bank deposit statements
- Client invoices
- Payment app transaction histories
- Reports from your accounting software
The total amount you calculate should be reported on your tax return, typically on Schedule C (Form 1040), Profit or Loss from Business, if you are a sole proprietor or independent contractor.
Handling an Incorrect 1099 Form
If you find that the income reported on a Form 1099 is incorrect, or if your personal information is wrong, you must contact the payer immediately. Clearly explain the discrepancy and formally request that they issue a corrected 1099.
When a payer corrects a form, they will send you a new version that has the “CORRECTED” box checked at the top, which replaces the previous one. In the event the payer refuses to make the correction, you should still report the correct income amount on your tax return. Be prepared to substantiate your figures by maintaining thorough documentation, including your financial records and a log of your communications with the payer.