How to Get a 1099 Form From Your Employer or Client

Where to ask for your 1099

Ask the person or business that paid you directly. If you worked as a contractor or freelancer, contact the company's accounting or payroll department by phone or email. If you worked for a small business owner, ask the owner. They are required by law to send you a copy by January 31 of the year following payment.

If you cannot reach the right person, try the main phone number and ask for accounting, payroll, or the person who hired you. Explain that you need a 1099 form for tax purposes. Have your name, address, and the dates you worked ready when you call.

Keep a record of when you asked and who you spoke with. If the form does not arrive by early February, you will need this information to file a complaint with the IRS.

Key Takeaways

• Contact the business that paid you — usually the accounting or payroll department — and ask for your 1099 form by name.
• The business must send you a copy by January 31 of the year after you were paid, and must also send a copy to the IRS.
• If you do not receive the form by early February, you can file Form 4852 with your tax return or report the missing form to the IRS.
• You need your Social Security number or Employer Identification Number (EIN), your address, and the business's name and tax ID to receive an accurate form.
• If the business sends you an incorrect form, ask them to issue a corrected version marked "CORRECTED" before you file your taxes.

What information the business needs from you

The business must have your correct legal name, mailing address, and Social Security number (or Employer Identification Number if you operated as a business entity). If any of this information changed since you worked there, tell them the new details.

Double-check the spelling of your name and the accuracy of your address. If the form arrives with errors, the IRS will receive a mismatched copy, which can delay your tax refund or trigger a notice.

What to do if the form is wrong

If the 1099 shows the wrong amount, wrong dates, or wrong personal information, contact the business when ready and ask for a corrected form. They should issue a new form marked "CORRECTED" at the top, not straightforward cross out the old one and send it again.

Do not file your taxes using an incorrect 1099. Wait for the corrected version if possible. If you must file before it arrives, attach a note to your return explaining the discrepancy and include the corrected form as soon as you receive it.

What to do if the form never arrives

If you do not receive the form by mid-February, call or email the business again. Ask them to confirm they have your correct address and Social Security number on file. Request that they resend the form when ready.

If the business does not respond or claims they did not issue a 1099, you have two options. You can file your tax return using Form 4852 (Substitute for Form 1099-R, 1098-T, 1099-MISC, 1099-DEQ, or 1099-NEC), which lets you report the income yourself. Or you can file a complaint with the IRS by calling 800-829-1040 or submitting Form 13909 (Information Referral) online at the IRS website.

Keep copies of all emails and notes from your calls. The IRS may contact the business to investigate why the form was not sent.

Different 1099 forms for different work

The business will send you one of several types of 1099 depending on how you were paid. Form 1099-NEC is used for non-employee compensation (freelance work, contract work, or self-employment). Form 1099-MISC is used for miscellaneous income like prizes or rental payments. Form 1099-K is used when payment was processed through a credit card or third-party payment app.

Ask the business which form they will send you if you are unsure. The form type affects how you report the income on your tax return, so knowing which one to expect helps you prepare.

If you worked for multiple businesses

You may receive more than one 1099 if you worked for different companies or clients during the year. Each business that paid you $600 or more (or $20,000 and 200+ transactions for 1099-K) must send you a form. You will report each one separately on your tax return.

Keep all 1099 forms together in a folder. When you file your taxes, you will need to enter the income from each form. The IRS receives copies of all of them, so your return must match the total they see.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a 1099 if I made less than $600?

Businesses are not required to send a 1099 for amounts under $600, with the exception of 1099-K forms (which have different thresholds). However, you still owe taxes on all income you earned, whether or not you receive a form. Report it on your tax return.

Can I get a 1099 from a business that paid me in cash?

Yes. Businesses must issue a 1099 for cash payments just as they do for checks or transfers. If a business refuses to send you a form, contact the IRS. Unreported cash income is a common audit trigger.

What if the business says they will email me the 1099 instead of mailing it?

The IRS requires businesses to mail a paper copy to you by January 31. An emailed copy may be convenient, but you need the official mailed version for your records. Ask them to mail it as well, or request a printed copy of the emailed version.

Can I file my taxes without the 1099 if I know how much I earned?

You can file using Form 4852 if the 1099 does not arrive in time, but you must report the income. The IRS will receive the business's copy of the 1099, so your return must match. Filing without reporting the income can result in penalties and interest.

What happens if the business sends the 1099 to the IRS but not to me?

The IRS will see the income reported under your Social Security number. If you do not report it on your tax return, the IRS will notice the mismatch and send you a notice. Contact the business and ask them to send you a copy when ready, then amend your return if needed.