Where To Get Your 1099-G Form and What To Do If It Doesn't Arrive

How to get your 1099-G

The organisation that paid you sends your 1099-G. If you received unemployment benefits, your state's unemployment insurance agency mails it. If you got a tax refund, the IRS sends it. If you received other government payments — student loan discharge, agricultural payments, or state or local tax refunds — the agency that made the payment sends the form.

Most 1099-Gs arrive by mail in January or early February, though the important date is January 31. The form goes to the address on file with the paying agency. If you moved during the year, the form may go to an old address, which is why checking your mail and updating your address matters.

You can also request your 1099-G directly from the agency that issued it. Each has its own process: the IRS has an online tool, state unemployment offices have phone lines and websites, and other agencies have their own portals. Calling is usually faster than waiting for mail.

Key Takeaways

• Your 1099-G comes from the government agency that paid you — your state unemployment office, the IRS, or another federal or state program.
• The form arrives by mail by January 31, but you can request it sooner by phone or through the agency's website.
• If you moved during the year, update your address with the agency before January to make sure the form reaches you.
• If you do not receive your 1099-G by mid-February, contact the issuing agency directly rather than waiting.

Getting your 1099-G from the IRS

If you received a federal tax refund, the IRS sends your 1099-G. You can check the status of your form through the IRS website using the "Get Transcript" tool at irs.gov. This tool lets you view your transcript online when ready or order a printed copy by mail.

To use Get Transcript, you need your Social Security number, date of birth, filing status, and either a personal identification number (PIN) from a prior year or access to your IRS online account. If you do not have these, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and request your transcript by phone. The IRS can also mail a transcript to you, though this takes 5 to 10 business days.

If your refund was offset — meaning it was used to pay back taxes, child support, or other federal or state debts — the IRS still issues a 1099-G, but the amount will reflect what was actually paid to you after the offset.

Getting your 1099-G from your state unemployment office

If you received state unemployment benefits, your state's unemployment insurance agency issues your 1099-G. Each state runs its own system, so the process varies. Most states let you view and read your 1099-G through an online portal or mobile app.

To find your state's unemployment office, search "[your state] unemployment insurance" plus "1099-G" or "tax forms". Common names include the Department of Labor, Employment Development Department, or Division of Employment Security. Once you find the office, look for a section called "View Tax Documents", "Tax Forms", or "1099-G".

If you cannot find the form online, call your state unemployment office. Have your Social Security number and the year you received benefits ready. Processing times vary by state, but most offices can email or mail a replacement within one to two weeks.

Getting your 1099-G from other government agencies

If you received payments from programs other than unemployment or a tax refund, the issuing agency sends your 1099-G. This includes the Department of Education (for student loan discharge), the Department of Agriculture (for farm payments), state or local tax authorities (for tax refunds), or the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Contact the agency directly. Most have websites with a section for tax documents or forms. If you cannot find it online, call the main number and ask for the tax forms department or the office that handles 1099-Gs. Have your account number or Social Security number ready.

What to do if your 1099-G does not arrive

If you do not receive your 1099-G by mid-February, contact the issuing agency when ready. Do not wait until tax time. The agency can issue a replacement, but processing takes time.

When you call, have your Social Security number, the year in question, and the type of payment you received. Ask the agency to confirm your mailing address on file — if it is wrong, update it and request the form be sent again. Some agencies can email a copy instead of mailing it, which is faster.

If the agency says it did not issue a 1099-G for you, ask why. Some payments below a certain threshold do not require a 1099-G, but the agency should tell you whether your payment met the threshold. If you believe you should have received one, ask to speak with a supervisor.

Updating your address with government agencies

If you moved during the year, update your address with any agency that paid you. This prevents your 1099-G from going to an old address.

For the IRS, update your address through your IRS online account or by filing Form 8822-B (Change of Address). For state unemployment, log into your account online or call the office. For other agencies, check their websites for an address change form or call the main number.

Update your address as soon as you move, not just before tax time. This ensures all mail from the agency reaches you, not just your 1099-G.

Using your 1099-G when you file taxes

When you file your tax return, you report the amounts from your 1099-G on the appropriate line of your return. The form itself tells you which line to use. If you received unemployment, you report it on Form 1040. If you received a tax refund that was issued as a 1099-G, you report it on Schedule 1.

Keep a copy of your 1099-G with your tax records. You do not send it with your return, but the IRS has a copy on file, and you may need it if the IRS asks questions about your return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my 1099-G before January?

Most agencies do not issue 1099-Gs until late December or January, but you can request one early by calling the issuing agency. Some agencies can provide a preliminary version or a statement of the amount you received, which you can use to file your return early if needed.

What if I received payments from multiple programs?

You will receive a separate 1099-G from each agency that paid you. For example, if you received both unemployment and a tax refund, you will get one 1099-G from your state unemployment office and another from the IRS. Report each one on your tax return according to the form's instructions.

Do I need my 1099-G to file my taxes?

You should have your 1099-G before you file, but if it has not arrived, you can file using the payment amount you received. The IRS has a copy on file. If your return is audited or questioned, you will need to show the 1099-G, so keep looking for it or request a replacement.

What if the amount on my 1099-G is wrong?

Contact the issuing agency when ready and ask them to issue a corrected form. The agency will send you a corrected 1099-G and also send a corrected copy to the IRS. Do not file your return with the wrong amount — wait for the corrected form if possible, or file an amended return after the correction is issued.

Can I get my 1099-G by email instead of mail?

Some agencies offer email delivery, but not all. Ask the issuing agency whether they can email your 1099-G. If they cannot, request that they mail it to your current address and update your address on file to make sure it reaches you.