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1099-INT (Interest) vs 1099-DIV (Dividend): Key Differences & Filing Checklist

1099-INT (Interest) vs. 1099-DIV (Dividend): Key Differences & Filing Checklist

Table of Contents

Filing the Correct Form: 1099-DIV vs 1099-INT

1099-DIV and 1099-INT are two similar yet distinct IRS forms. The main difference between 1099-INT and 1099-DIV lies in their reporting requirements.

1099-DIV reports dividends and other distributions to shareholders, while 1099-INT reports interest income.

Filing the wrong form and reporting dividends or interests on the wrong form can lead to IRS scrutiny. Incorrect reporting also triggers penalties of up to $660 per form.

Understanding 1099-INT vs 1099-DIV, their thresholds, filing rules is important not only for accurate filing but for compliance as well.

What Is Reported on Form 1099-INT?

Form 1099-INT is used to report interest income of $10 or more paid to individuals, businesses, or trusts. It is filed by banks, credit unions, brokers, and other financial institutions that issue interest payments.

Any individual, business, or trust that earned interest payments meeting the 1099-INT reporting requirements will receive the form when filing their taxes.

1099-INT reporting requirements (Box by box)

  • Box 1: Interest Income
  • Box 2: Early Withdrawal Penalty
  • Box 3: Interest on U.S. Savings Bonds/Treasury obligations
  • Box 4: Federal Income Tax Withheld
  • Box 5: Investment Expenses
  • Box 6: Foreign Tax Paid
  • Box 7: Foreign Country or U.S. Territory
  • Box 8: Tax-Exempt Interest
  • Box 9: Specified Private Activity Bond Interest
  • Box 10: Market Discount
  • Box 11: Bond Premium
  • Box 12: Bond Premium on Treasury Obligations
  • Box 13: Bond Premium on Tax-Exempt Bond
  • Box 14: Tax-Exempt and Tax Credit Bond CUSIP No.
  • Box 15: State Reporting

For example, if your business paid a vendor $40 in interest, you must issue Form 1099-INT showing $40 in Box 1.

What Is Reported on Form 1099-DIV?

Form 1099-DIV reporting requirement mandates that banks, corporations, mutual funds, REITs, and other financial institutions must report dividends, capital gain distributions, exempt-interest dividends, and other distributions of $10 or more or $600 or more during liquidation during the calendar year. It is also required if any foreign tax or federal income tax is withheld under backup withholding rules, regardless of the amount, and if $600 or more in cash or property is distributed during a liquidation.

1099-DIV reporting requirements (Box by box)

  • Box 1a, b: Total ordinary dividends and Qualified dividends
  • Box 2a, b, c, d, e, f: Total capital gain distributions, Sec. 1250 Gain, Section 1202 Gain, Collectibles (28%) Gain, Section 897 Ordinary Dividends, and Section 897 Capital Gain
  • Box 3: Non dividend Distributions
  • Box 4: Federal Income Tax Withheld
  • Box 5: Section 199A Dividends
  • Box 6: Investment Expenses
  • Box 7 & 8: Foreign Tax Paid & Foreign Country or U.S. Possession
  • Box 9: Cash Liquidation Distributions
  • Box 10: Noncash Liquidation Distributions
  • Box 11: FATCA Filing Requirement
  • Box 12: Exempt-Interest Dividends
  • Box 13: Specified Private Activity Bond Interest Dividends
  • Boxes 14–16: State Information

For example, if an investor earned $50 in mutual fund dividends and $20 in capital gain distributions, these amounts would be reported in Box 1a and Box 2a, respectively.

Side-by-Side Comparison: 1099-INT & 1099-DIV

The main difference between 1099-INT and 1099-DIV is that one form reports interest payments (1099-INT) while the other reports dividend payments (1099-DIV).

1099-INT 1099-DIV
Reports Interest payments Dividends and capital gain distributions
Reporting Threshold $10 or more $10 or more
$600 or more (if part of a trade or business or for liquidations)
Payers Banks, credit unions, brokers, mutual funds, insurance companies, and other financial institutions Corporations, banks, mutual funds, REITs, and other financial institutions
Who Receives Individuals, businesses, or trusts Shareholders or Mutual Fund Investors
Key Boxes Box 1 (Interest)
Box 3 (Treasuries)
Box 1a (Ordinary)
Box 2a (Capital gain)

Experience the secure and accurate filing of 1099-INT and 1099-DIV Forms.

Legal Triggers, IRS Rules, and Reporting Deadlines for 1099-INT vs 1099-DIV

Both 1099-INT reporting requirements and 1099-DIV reporting requirements are triggered when businesses or financial institutions issue interest or dividend payments that meet or exceed the reporting thresholds. Thes two forms helps the IRS track taxable income from interest, dividends, capital gains, and other distributions paid to taxpayers.

Forms 1099-INT and 1099-DIV also report backup withholding amounts if TIN was not provided by recipient. Make sure TIN and name match by using Tax1099’s TIN matching service, which verifies recipient data against IRS data. If you fail to validate TINs, it can trigger a 24% backup withholding.

1099-INT & 1099-DIV Deadlines

Deadline Form 1099-INT Form 1099-DIV
Recipient Copy Jan 31 (Feb 2 for 2025 TY) Jan 31 (Feb 2 for 2025 TY)
Paper Filing Feb 28 (March 2 for 2025 TY) Feb 28 (March 2 for 2025 TY)
E-filing March 31 March 31

Penalties for 1099-INT & 1099-DIV

Timeline Penalty
Up to 30 days late $60 per form
31 days late through Aug 1 $130 per form
After Aug 1 or not filed $330 per form
Intentional Disregard $660 per form

Note: Payments to foreign persons are generally reported on Form 1042-S, not via 1099-INT or 1099-DIV.

Mistakes To Avoid When Filing 1099-INT And 1099-DIV

Here are a few common mistakes related to when to use 1099-INT and when to use 1099-DIV.

Reporting interest on 1099-DIV or dividends on 1099-INT

Misreporting interest income on 1099-DIV or dividends on 1099-INT is one of the most common errors. Prevent misreporting by using Tax1099’s automated data validation and form mapping.

Failing to file for small amounts that meet IRS minimums

The IRS requires you to report interest/dividends that are $10 or more. Neglecting to file for these smaller thresholds can trigger penalties and IRS notices. You can prevent backup withholding and penalties by ensuring all reportable transactions are reported in the correct form.

Forgetting to report capital gains distributions on 1099-DIV (Box 2a)

Capital gains distribution or taxable gains paid to shareholders, must be reported on Box 2a of 1099-DIV. Make sure these gains are accurately captured and reported by doing mandatory field checks before submission.

Not issuing forms to trusts, partnerships, or certain S-corps when required

Trusts and partnerships often receive interest and dividend income and must receive 1099-INT and 1099-DIV. S-corporations are generally exempt from this reporting requirement.

Including personal account payments (non-business) – not reportable.

If you’ve made interest or dividend payments from personal accounts for non-business activities, you don’t need to report it on either 1099-DIV or 1099-INT.

Not correcting forms when errors are discovered

Any error on your 1099-DIV or 1099-INT form can lead to audits and penalties. File and submit a ‘CORRECTED’ 1099-DIV or 1099-INT form promptly, and can help prevent further IRS scrutiny.

Step-by-Step 1099-INT vs 1099-DIV Filing Checklist

Step 1: Collect W-9 from All Payees

Collect a completed Form W-9 to verify legal name, address, and TIN.

Step 2: Validate TIN and Legal Name

Verify the TIN and name combination with IRS records using Tax1099’s real-time TIN match.

Step 3: Identify Payment Type

Identifying payment type ensures compliance with interest vs. dividend income IRS rules.

Step 4: Check Reporting Thresholds

Check interest payments and dividends to make sure they meet the reporting threshold of $10 or more.

Step 5: Use the Correct Forms

Form 1099-INT should be used to report interest payments, while 1099-DIV should be used only for dividend payments.

Step 6: Distribute Recipient Copies by January 31

You can send copies of the completed 1099-INT or 1099-DIV forms to recipients using Tax1099’s e-Delivery portal or print and mail service.

Step 7: File With the IRS by the Deadline

E-file 1099-INT and 1099-DIV forms and transmit them directly to the IRS with an authorized e-filing platform like Tax1099.

Step 8: Retain Proof and Backup Documentation for Four Years

Document and keep copies of the form and receipts of payments for at least four years with our secure data storage feature.

Real-Life Scenarios For 1099-INT & 1099-DIV

Scenario 1: If a business earns $22.50 in interest from a bank savings account, the bank must issue a 1099-INT with the amount reported in Box 1 since the amount reported is above the threshold.

Scenario 2: An investor receives $100 in dividends from a corporation. Since the dividends are above the $10 reporting threshold, the amount must be reported by the corporate on Box 1a of 1099-DIV.

Scenario 3: If a mutual fund pays $15 of capital gains to an investor, it must be reported on Box 2a of 1099-DIV. Capital gain distributions are reported separately from ordinary dividends.

Scenario 4: If an investor provides an invalid TIN that does not match IRS records, you must implement backup withholding on interest payments and report it on Box 4 of 1099-INT.

Scenario 5: If an account from a U.S. EE Savings Bond earned $55 in interest in a year, the U.S. Treasury will report this on Box 3 of Form 1099-INT. This box is specifically for interest from U.S. savings bonds and Treasury.

FAQs

1: Can an individual receive both 1099-INT and 1099-DIV in one year?

Yes, if an individual receives both interest income (for example, from bank savings accounts) and dividends (for example, from stocks or mutual funds), they will receive both Form 1099-INT and Form 1099-DIV

2: Do I file a 1099-INT or 1099-DIV for payments to a corporation?

Payments to corporations are not reported on 1099-INT or 1099-DIV unless it’s a reportable interest/dividend payment to certain S-corps, trusts, or LLCs (check IRS rules).

3: What if I report interest as a dividend by mistake?

If interest payment was reported on Form 1099-DIV instead of 1099-INT, you need to cancel the incorrect form, issue a new ‘CORRECTED’ 1099-DIV form and report the payments on the 1099-INT.

4: Are foreign account holders issued 1099-INT/DIV?

No, payments to foreign account holders are generally reported on Form 1042-S, not Forms 1099-INT or 1099-DIV.

5: What is “qualified dividend” on 1099-DIV?

Qualified dividends are dividends paid during the tax year from domestic corporations and qualified foreign corporations. They are reported on Box 1b of 1099-DIV.

6: Do I have to file if I only paid $5 in interest?

No, the amount does not reach the minimum reporting threshold of $10.However, if TIN was invalid or not provided, backup withholding will be triggered, regardless of the reporting amount.

7: What is the deadline for issuing 1099-DIV and 1099-INT forms?

The deadline for distributing recipient copies of 1099-DIV and 1099-INT is January 31, e-filing deadline is on March 31, and paper filing deadline is on February 28

Automate eFiling of 1099-INT and 1099-DIV.