1099 Form
A 1099 form is an IRS tax document used to report income received outside of traditional employment. If you're a freelancer, independent contractor, or business that received payments of $600 or more from a client, you'll likely receive a 1099-NEC (or other 1099 variant) to report that income.
1099 Form Definition
A 1099 form is an IRS tax document used to report income received outside of traditional employment. If you're a freelancer, independent contractor, or business that received payments of $600 or more from a client, you'll likely receive a 1099-NEC (or other 1099 variant) to report that income.
1099 Form in Practice
A graphic designer does $8,000 worth of work for a startup over the year. In January, the startup sends the designer a 1099-NEC reporting the $8,000 paid. The designer uses this form when filing taxes to report that income. The startup also files a copy with the IRS.
Why It Matters
If you pay contractors $600 or more in a year, you're required to issue them a 1099. Failing to do so can result in IRS penalties. On the flip side, if you receive 1099 income, you need to report it — the IRS already has a copy.
For businesses that work with multiple contractors, tracking payments throughout the year makes 1099 season much less painful. Good bookkeeping software handles this automatically.
FAQ
Q: What's the difference between a W-2 and a 1099?
A: A W-2 reports wages paid to employees (with taxes withheld). A 1099 reports payments to independent contractors (no taxes withheld — they handle their own).
Related Terms
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Related Terms
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