When Are 1099s Due? Key Filing Deadlines

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires reporting of non-employment income using 1099 forms. Understanding the precise deadlines for these forms is essential for accurate financial reporting and compliance with tax regulations. Missing these deadlines can lead to penalties, affecting both the issuer and the recipient of the income.

Understanding 1099 Forms and Filing Requirements

Form 1099 is an information return used to report various types of income other than wages, salaries, and tips. Generally, a business or individual that makes certain types of payments during the year is required to issue a 1099 form to the recipient of the payment and file a copy with the IRS. Recipients of 1099 forms typically include independent contractors, freelancers, landlords receiving rental income, individuals receiving interest or dividends, and those involved in real estate transactions or receiving government payments. For instance, if a business pays an independent contractor $600 or more for services in a calendar year, it generally must issue a Form 1099-NEC. Similarly, financial institutions issue forms for interest income (Form 1099-INT) or dividend distributions (Form 1099-DIV).

Key Deadlines for Different 1099 Forms

The deadlines for furnishing 1099 forms to recipients and filing them with the IRS vary depending on the specific form type. Generally, if a deadline falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the due date shifts to the next business day. Form 1099-NEC is due to recipients and the IRS by January 31 of the year following the tax year.

For most other 1099 forms, including Form 1099-MISC (Miscellaneous Information), Form 1099-DIV (Dividends and Distributions), and Form 1099-INT (Interest Income), the deadline for furnishing statements to recipients is generally January 31. However, there are exceptions; for Form 1099-B (Proceeds From Broker and Barter Exchange Transactions), and Form 1099-MISC reporting amounts in boxes 8 or 10, the recipient copy deadline is February 15. The IRS filing deadline for these forms is February 28 if filing on paper, or March 31 if filing electronically.

Form 1099-K (Payment Card and Third Party Network Transactions) generally follows the same deadlines as Form 1099-MISC for filing with the IRS and furnishing to recipients. For the 2024 tax year, the reporting threshold for Form 1099-K is $5,000, and it will be $2,500 for the 2025 tax year. An extension of time to file certain information returns with the IRS can be requested using Form 8809, Application for Extension of Time to File Information Returns. This form typically grants an automatic 30-day extension, but it does not extend the deadline for furnishing statements to recipients. For Form 1099-NEC, only one 30-day extension is generally available and must be submitted on paper.

Submitting 1099 Forms

Once 1099 forms are completed, there are specific methods for submitting them to the IRS and furnishing copies to recipients. Furnishing statements to recipients involves providing them with their copy of the 1099 form, which can be done via mail or, with their consent, electronically. For filing with the IRS, businesses can choose between mailing paper forms or electronic filing. Paper filing typically requires the use of official IRS forms, often accompanied by Form 1096, Annual Summary and Transmittal of U.S. Information Returns, which acts as a cover sheet summarizing the information returns being sent. Electronic filing is generally recommended and is often mandatory for businesses filing 10 or more information returns. The IRS’s Filing Information Returns Electronically (FIRE) system is the primary platform for e-filing 1099s. To use the FIRE system, filers must first obtain a Transmitter Control Code (TCC), which can take up to 45 days to process. Electronic filing through the FIRE system allows for faster processing and can help reduce errors.

Consequences of Late Filing

Failing to meet 1099 deadlines can result in penalties. The penalty amounts are typically tiered, increasing based on how late the forms are filed. For the 2024 tax year, penalties for late filing with the IRS can range from $60 to $330 per form. For instance, if a form is filed within 30 days of the due date, the penalty might be $60 per form. If forms are filed more than 30 days late but before August 1, the penalty increases to $120 per form. For forms filed on or after August 1, or if they are not filed at all, the penalty rises to $310 per form. These penalties apply to each form that is not filed correctly or on time, and separate penalties can be assessed for failing to furnish statements to recipients, generally matching the IRS filing penalty. In cases where the failure to file is deemed “intentional disregard” of the filing requirements, significantly higher penalties apply. This can result in a minimum penalty of $660 per form, or 10% of the income reported on the form, with no maximum limit. Intentional disregard implies deliberate ignorance of filing requirements. While penalties are a serious consideration, it is sometimes possible to request a penalty waiver if there is reasonable cause for the late filing. General criteria for reasonable cause include events like natural disasters, death or serious illness of the filer, or other unavoidable absences affecting operations.