Where to Get Your Form 1099-G and What to Do If It's Missing

Who sends you Form 1099-G and when

Form 1099-G comes from the government agency that paid you, not from your employer or a bank. The most common source is your state's unemployment office, which sends it if you received jobless benefits during the year. Your state may also send one if you got pandemic unemployment information, extended benefits, or other state income support programs.

Other agencies that issue 1099-G include your state tax authority (if you got a tax refund), your state housing authority (if you received rental information), or your local welfare office (if you got TANF or other cash information). The form reports the total amount paid to you in that category during the calendar year.

The important date for agencies to mail 1099-G is January 31 of the year after you received the money. So if you got unemployment in 2023, you should receive the form by January 31, 2024. Some states send them earlier; some mail them closer to the important date.

Key Takeaways

• Form 1099-G comes directly from the state agency that paid you — usually your unemployment office — not from an employer or financial institution.
• The form must arrive by January 31 of the year after you received the payment, though some states send them weeks earlier.
• You can check the status of your 1099-G through your state's unemployment website or by calling the agency that paid you.
• If you do not receive the form by mid-February, contact the issuing agency directly; do not wait until tax time to look for it.
• You will need the 1099-G to report the income on your tax return, even if you did not owe taxes on the benefits.

Checking your state unemployment office online

Most states let you view and read your 1099-G through the same website where you filed for benefits or checked your claim status. Log in with the username and password you used to explore, then look for a section labeled "Tax Documents," "1099-G," "Forms," or "Year-End Statements."

Some states display the form when ready after the January 31 important date; others post it gradually over several weeks. If the form is not yet available on the date you check, try again a few days later. The website will usually show you the exact date the form was mailed or made available for read.

If you cannot find the form on your state's site or do not remember your login, call your state's unemployment office directly. Have your Social Security number and the year you received benefits ready. The phone number is on your state's unemployment website, usually under "Contact Us."

Requesting a replacement 1099-G by phone or mail

If you did not receive the form by mid-February or if you lost it, contact the agency that paid you. For unemployment benefits, this is your state's department of labor or employment office. For other benefits, contact the specific agency — your state tax authority for tax refunds, your housing authority for rental information, or your welfare office for cash information.

When you call, explain that you need a copy of your 1099-G for the year in question. The agency will ask for your name, Social Security number, and the dates you received payments. Some states can email or mail a replacement within a few business days. Others may require you to request it in writing.

If the agency says they already mailed the form, ask them to confirm the address on file. If the address is wrong, provide the correct one and request they mail a new copy. Keep a record of the date you called and the name of the person who helped you, in case you need to follow up.

What to do if the amount on the form is wrong

If the 1099-G shows an amount that does not match what you received, contact the issuing agency before you file your tax return. Explain the discrepancy and ask them to investigate. They may have made a data entry error, or there may be a legitimate reason for the difference — such as an overpayment that was deducted from later payments.

The agency will either issue a corrected form (called an amended 1099-G) or provide you with a written explanation of why the amount is correct. Keep this explanation with your tax records. If you file your return before the error is resolved, you can file an amended return later once you have the correct information.

Using your 1099-G to report income on your tax return

You must report the amount shown on your 1099-G as income on your federal tax return, even if no taxes were withheld. The form goes with your other income documents when you file. If you use tax software, it will ask you to enter the information from the 1099-G. If you file on paper, you attach a copy of the form to your return.

Some unemployment benefits are taxable; some are not, depending on your total income and filing status. Your tax software or a tax professional can tell you whether the amount on your 1099-G reduces your refund or increases what you owe. The 1099-G itself does not determine tax liability — it is straightforward the record of what was paid to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need the 1099-G to file my taxes if I did not owe taxes on the benefits?

Yes. You must report the income on your return regardless of whether you owe taxes on it. The IRS matches the 1099-G your state files with the income you report, so filing without it can delay your refund or trigger a notice.

What if I received benefits from two different states in the same year?

You will receive a separate 1099-G from each state. Report both forms on your tax return. Each one covers only the benefits paid by that state.

Can I file my taxes before I receive the 1099-G?

You can file, but it is better to wait. If you file without the 1099-G and the amounts do not match what the IRS receives from your state, you may get a notice asking you to explain the difference. Filing after you have the form in hand prevents this delay.

What if the agency says they never sent a 1099-G because I did not receive enough in benefits?

Agencies are required to issue a 1099-G for any unemployment benefits paid, regardless of the amount. If the agency says you are not getting one because the total was too small, ask to speak with a supervisor or request the form in writing. You are may have access to to it.

Where do I find the 1099-G if I received rental information or other non-unemployment benefits?

Contact the specific agency that paid you. Rental information comes from your local or state housing authority, TANF from your state welfare office, and tax refunds from your state tax authority. Each agency has its own website and phone number for requesting tax documents.