FORM 1099 MISC COMPLETE GUIDE – 1099 misc forms, form 1099 misc filing requirements, 1099 misc form due dates and penalties.

Now and then, we see someone asking a query on yahoo answers, ask.com and other websites about 1099 misc form. When a person received 1099 misc form, they are surprised and immediately post ‘Why did I receive a 1099 misc form’? Not only that but the search engines and filled with questions regarding 1099 misc forms, 1099 filing requirements, best way to file a 1099 misc form, due dates and penalties for 1099 filing and more. The list of questions is endless.

So here I am today, ready to answer all your doubts and questions about 1099 misc forms.

WHAT IS FORM 1099 MISC?

1099 misc form is used to report certain types of payments made in the course of a trade or business. If you're a small business owner who has hired the services of an independent contractor or freelancer, you may need to file and submit the 1099 misc form to both the Internal Revenue Service and the person or business that you paid. Normally, a 1099 misc form has to be reported if at least $600 has been paid to the recipient.

Personal payments are not reportable. You are engaged in a trade or business if you operate for gain or profit. However, nonprofit organizations are considered to be engaged in a trade or business and are subject to these reporting requirements. Other organizations subject to these reporting requirements include trusts of qualified pension or profit-sharing plans of employers, certain organizations exempt from tax under section 501(c) or (d), farmers' cooperatives that are exempt from tax under section 521, and widely held fixed investment trusts. Payments by federal, state, or local government agencies are also reportable.

IS FORM 1099 MISC VALID FOR EMPLOYEES OF A FIRM?

No, if you are employed by a firm or a registered corporation, then you are not suppose to file form 1099 misc. If you are providing services to a company as an employee and receive 1099 misc form, then it is a mistake on the part of your employer and you must correct it. As an employee, you are supposed to receive form W2 for your income tax purpose.

WHAT DO I DO WITH 1099 MISC FORM AFTER RECEIVING IT?

Because you are an independent business person, working for yourself and are not registered as acorporation, partnership or multi-owner limited liability company and you were professionally hired by a company on a contract basis; you are legible to receive form 1099 misc by January 31st2013. You would need that 1099 misc form to report your income to the IRS for your tax filing purposes.

Now when you get a 1099 misc form, take a look at Box 7, “Nonemployee compensation.” This is where your annual income from the company that hired you will be reported. And this is the income that you must be sure to include on your Schedule C, because not only did the company send you a 1099 misc form but also filed it with IRS. Hence, the 1099-MISC serves the same function for the self-employed as a W-2 does for the employee. It tells you and the IRS how much income you made from one company.

WHAT DO I DO IF THE AMOUNT ON THE 1099 MISC FORM IS INCORRECT?

In such case, you should contact the business who issued the 1099 to resolve the discrepancy. If they made a mistake, they must issue a corrected 1099 to both you and the IRS. To be safe, you should wait until you receive the corrected 1099 before filing your tax return. You need to be sure that the 1099 income amount agrees with your Schedule C income amount. If there is a difference between the total income on your 1099 misc form and the amount of income on your Schedule C, the IRS will eventually catch it and send you a letter demanding an explanation

I FILED MY TAX RETURN BUT AM YET TO RECEIVE MY 1099 MISC FORM?

There is no problem if you filed your tax return and received 1099 misc form after that as long as you reported your income on schedule C. But in, case you did not report your 1099 income, make sure you file an amended tax return. This will surely increase the amount of tax due and probably late payment penalties if you fail to pay your tax dues on time.

WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR 1099 MISC FORM FILING?

The amount of the penalty is based on when you file the correct information return. The penalty is:

1) $30 per information return if you correctly file within 30 days (by March 30 if the due date is February 28); maximum penalty $250,000 per year ($75,000 for small businesses, defined below).

2) $60 per information return if you correctly file more than 30 days after the due date but by August 1; maximum penalty $500,000 per year ($200,000 for small businesses).

3) $100 per information return if you file after August 1 or you do not file required information returns; maximum penalty $1,500,000 per year ($500,000 for small businesses).

BY WHEN AM I SUPPOSED TO FILE AND REPORT 1099 MISC WITH THE IRS?

31st January 2013 – send misc 1099 form to the recipient

28th February 2013 – file form 1099 misc with IRS on paper

1st April 2013 – File form 1099 misc with IRS electronically

IF I WANT TO EFILE MY 1099 MISC FORM, HOW DO I SELECT THE SERVICE PROVIDER?

There are many service providers wanting to attract customers to file 1099s on their websites but there are certain requisites to look out for when filing form 1099 misc or any other 1099 forms. Below is the list provided:

1. Efile service provider should be IRS approved -look for IRS logo on the site
2. They should be safe and secure - look for security certificate on their website
3. offer user friendly navigation process to simplify your 1099 filing
4. offer reasonable and cost effective pricing. 
5. have customer support service - phone, email, etc. 

Now, we would recommend 1099online.com, as an efile service provider whom you should opt for to file your 1099 forms online. Not because we are 1099online.com, but because 1099online.com fulfills all the above and many more requisites that you should look out for when opting a 1099 filing service provider. Visit 1099online.com and find out yourself. 1099online.com supports efile for 12 different 1099s

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