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IRS Form 1099-NEC or “Nonemployee Compensation form” is used to report payments of at least $600 to nonemployee in a single tax year. Previously, nonemployee compensation reporting was done through 1099-MISC Box 7. However, due to deadline conflicts and complications regarding reporting, 1099-NEC was reinstated in the 2020 tax year, after a 20-year gap.
Who must file 1099-NEC?
Any business entity, including nonprofits, sole proprietors, LLCs, trusts, and partnerships, who pay a nonemployee $600 or more in one tax year.
Who gets a 1099-NEC?
Independent contractors, gig workers, service vendors, freelancers, consultants, attorneys (even if incorporated), and other nonemployee service providers.
You need to file 1099-NEC if you’ve:
Exclusions
You do not use Form 1099-NEC for:
Rule of thumb: If you paid at least $600 for services, not goods or rent, it will most likely go in 1099-NEC Box 1.
Here’s a detailed Step-by-step 1099 NEC filing instruction to help you understand how to fill out 1099 NEC correctly.
Enter the total amount paid to a nonemployee for work or services they performed for your company. The amount should be at least $600.
Check this box if you’ve made sales worth $5,000 or more for resale of consumer products on a buy-sell or commission arrangement.
Note: These sales can be reported on either Form 1099-NEC (Box 2) or Form 1099-MISC (Box 7), but not both.
Report any excess golden parachute payments (compensation due to a change in company ownership or control that exceeds the usual pay) here.
If TIN was not provided by a nonemployee, a 24% backup withholding
These boxes are for state reporting purposes and are optional. Enter the details only if you withheld state income tax on the payment or if you want to report the state ID number or amount paid.
Every nonemployee payment. Every checkbox. Every compliance detail. Covered. With Tax1099 E-file 1099-NEC Today
Here are the deadlines to file 1099-NEC.
Note: For the 2025 filing season, the deadline to file 1099-NEC will fall on February 2, 2026 (January 31, 2026, is a Saturday).
There is no automatic extension for filing Form 1099-NEC. E-file Form 8809 manually if needed.
Witth Tax1099, you can file 1099-NEC accurately and send recipient copies within deadline. E-file 1099-NEC Today
Misclassifying contractors as employees
Misclassifying contractors as employees and vice versa can result in penalties, back taxes, unpaid benefits, and even potential lawsuits. Employees and independent contractors are distinctly different in terms of work hours, compensation, processes, and benefits. They are also subject to different reporting rules. Employees receive Forms W-2, while contractors receive Forms 1099-NEC for their services.
Filing 1099-MISC instead of 1099-NEC for services
Nonemployee compensation used to be reported in Box 7 of 1099-MISC, but the IRS moved it to the reinstated Form 1099-NEC to reduce confusion and improve compliance. 1099-MISC is used primarily for miscellaneous payments such as rents, royalties, crop insurance, prizes, fishing boat proceeds, etc., while 1099-NEC is only used to report payments given to employees for their service.
Using the wrong EIN or payee name (TIN mismatch)
An incorrect TIN and name can trigger B-notices and backup withholding, especially if the information provided in the form doesn’t match IRS records. Always collect TINs and names using Form W-9 and verify the data using Tax1099’s real-time TIN match (which verifies up to 10,000 TINs).
Ignoring backup withholding 1099 NEC rules
If a contractor doesn’t give you a correct TIN or the IRS notifies you of a mismatch, you must withhold 24% of their payment as backup withholding and send it to the IRS. If you don’t withhold, you’ll be responsible for paying that tax and penalties.
Filing after the deadline The deadline for 1099-NEC paper filing and electronic filing is January 31 (February 2, 2026, for 2025 TY). If the form is not filed by the deadline, you will have to pay $60 to $660 per form, depending on how late you file.
Anytime TIN is not provided or is invalid, backup withholding will be triggered. The current backup withholding rate is 24%, which means businesses must withhold a quarter of the contractor’s payment and send it to the IRS.
If the IRS notifies you that the TIN/name combination you submitted does not match their records, you may receive a CP2100 or CP2100A notice, which triggers the backup withholding requirement.
For example, if you hire a freelance writer for $2,000 and fail to provide a Form W-9, you must withhold 24% ($480) from their payment and remit it to the IRS.
The withheld amount must be deposited with the IRS and reported on Form 945. If you withhold any amount, you must report the withheld amount in Box 4 of Form 1099-NEC.
The best way to avoid backup withholding is through accurate TIN verification and documentation:
Collect and validate W-9s
Before filing 1099-NEC, you need W-9s to verify the name, TIN, and address of your contractors. Request and collect W-9s from your contractors using Tax1099’s electronic W-9 collection tool and verify name and TIN with IRS records using real-time TIN matching.
Upload data
Import your data into Tax1099 and automatically map fields using our no-code data integrations. We sync data directly with accounting platforms like QuickBooks, Oracle NetSuite, Xero, etc. We also support data import via Excel/CSV files.
Review form
Before submitting your forms to the IRS, review your data to ensure that it is accurate. Tax1099 performs real-time data checks for missing or formatting errors. If any errors are found, our system will flag them before submission.
Submit 1099-NEC
Transmit your 1099-NEC forms directly to the IRS via Tax1099. Or you can schedule the submission for a later date with our scheduled e-filing feature. You can also reschedule dates or update information at no additional cost.
Send recipient copies
Once the form is submitted to the IRS, you can distribute Copy B of 1099-NEC to your contractors via Tax1099’s e-delivery portal. This feature lets you send forms electronically after obtaining the recipient’s consent.
Track status
Monitor your filing status using our Action tracking feature. You can track filing status, IRS acknowledgments, and rejections in real time.
Knowing 1099-NEC vs 1099_MISC can help avoid IRS penalties.
Form 1099-NEC is specifically for reporting nonemployee compensation, which includes payments of $600 or more made to independent contractors, freelancers, and other service providers.
In contrast, Form 1099-MISC reports other types of income that are not for services, such as rents, royalties, prizes, legal settlements, or healthcare payments.
Mixing these forms or misclassifying payments can trigger IRS notices, penalties, and even audits, so it’s critical to use the right form based on the nature of the payment.
Freelancer was paid $2,500 for design work
If your company hires a freelance graphic designer for a 6 months contractual job and pays them $2,500 for their work, it has to be reported on Box 1 of 1099-NEC since the payment is above the 1099-NEC reporting threshold.
Speaker was paid $1,200 + $300 travel
A speaker was hired for $1,200 to present at an event. He was given an additional $300 as travel reimbursement. If this travel reimbursement is not treated under an accountable plan (no receipts or proof of expenses were provided), he must report the total payment, $1500, on 1099-NEC.
A contractor was paid $800 without W-9
If a contractor was paid $800 for a contractual work but they failed to provide a valid TIN, then you must start the backup withholding process and withhold 24% of the total amount ($192). The amount must be reported in Box 4.
Musician was paid $400 for a one-time gig
A musician performed at a one-time gig and earned $400. Even though the musician can be classified as a nonemployee, since the amount is below the 1099-NEC reporting threshold, no 1099-NEC form is issued.
Attorney was paid $1,500
If an attorney was hired to provide legal services and paid a total of $1,500, the amount must be reported to the IRS on a 1099-NEC. Regardless of whether the attorney is a sole proprietor, partnership, or corporation, a 1099-NEC must be filed.
The filing threshold for 1099-NEC is $600 or more in a calendar year. However, starting from 2026 TY, the threshold will increase to $2,000.
No, you do not need to file 1099-NEC for corporations unless you pay for legal or certain healthcare services.
IRS mandates e-filing if you are submitting 10+ 1099-NEC forms. E-file your 1099-NEC forms with Tax1099. Our automated platform simplifies the e-filing process and helps you stay compliant.
If you missed the 1099-NEC January 31 filing deadline, you may be subjected to penalties ranging from $60 to $660 per form, depending on how late the filing was.
For foreign contractors, 1099-NEC reporting is required only if the payment is U.S.-sourced and subject to U.S. tax rules.
The best way to correct a mistake in your 1099-NEC form is to file a “CORRECTED” 1099-NEC with the correct details, mark it as “corrected”, and notify the recipient of the updated form.
If a payee refuses to provide a W-9, you can start the 24% backup withholding process and report the withheld amount in Box 4 of 1099-NEC as required.