What Audacy is and why it matters for your taxes

Audacy is a radio broadcasting company that owns and operates hundreds of radio stations across the United States. If you earn income from Audacy — whether as an on-air personality, producer, engineer, or contractor — or if you receive royalty payments through their platforms, you need to understand how they report that income to the IRS and what tax forms you'll receive.

Audacy stations operate under different call letters in different markets, but they all funnel employment and payment records through the parent company's tax reporting system. This means your W-2 (if you're an employee) or 1099 forms (if you're a contractor or receive royalties) will come from Audacy corporate, even if you work for a specific station like WFAN in New York or KROQ in Los Angeles.

Understanding which form Audacy will send you, when to expect it, and what to do if it's wrong can prevent filing delays and IRS correspondence later.

Key Takeaways

  • Audacy employees receive a W-2 form by January 31 each year, reporting wages, taxes withheld, and benefits; contractors and royalty recipients receive 1099 forms instead.
  • If you work for multiple Audacy stations or receive payments from different divisions, you may receive multiple forms that all need to be reported on your tax return.
  • Royalty payments from music streaming or licensing through Audacy platforms are reported on Form 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC, depending on the payment type and amount.
  • If your Audacy form arrives after January 31 or contains errors, contact Audacy's tax department directly rather than waiting — corrected forms (1099-X or W-2c) take time to issue.
  • Audacy does not withhold taxes on 1099 income, so contractors and royalty recipients must set aside money for self-employment tax and income tax when filing.

W-2 forms for Audacy employees

If you are a full-time or part-time employee of Audacy or one of its subsidiary stations, you will receive a Form W-2 by January 31 of the year following the one in which you earned the income. The W-2 shows your gross wages, federal income tax withheld, Social Security tax, Medicare tax, and any benefits (such as health insurance premiums paid by the employer).

The W-2 will list Audacy Inc. or a subsidiary name as your employer, along with their federal Employer Identification Number (EIN). Even if you worked at a specific station — say, a morning show at an Audacy-owned FM station in Chicago — the W-2 comes from the corporate entity, not the station itself.

You need this form to file your federal tax return. If you worked for Audacy in multiple states (for example, if you were transferred mid-year), you may receive multiple W-2s, one for each state where you earned wages. Report each W-2 on your return in the order they arrive.

1099 forms for contractors and royalty payments

If you are not a W-2 employee but receive payments from Audacy — such as freelance production work, guest appearances, or royalties from music or content — Audacy will send you a Form 1099-NEC (for non-employee compensation) or Form 1099-MISC (for miscellaneous income), depending on the type and amount of payment.

As of 2024, Audacy reports most contractor payments on Form 1099-NEC if the total paid to you in a calendar year reaches $600 or more. Royalty payments may appear on 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC depending on how Audacy's accounting department categorizes them. You should receive the form by January 31, but some companies send them later; if you have not received one by early February, contact Audacy's accounts payable or tax department to confirm your mailing address and tax ID.

Unlike W-2 income, 1099 income has no taxes withheld by Audacy. You are responsible for paying federal income tax and self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare) when you file your return or make quarterly estimated tax payments during the year.

What to do if your Audacy tax form is late or incorrect

If you do not receive your W-2 or 1099 by February 15, contact Audacy's payroll or tax department directly. Have your full name, Social Security number, and the year in question ready. Ask them to confirm they have your current mailing address and to resend the form or provide a copy by email.

If the form arrives and contains errors — wrong Social Security number, wrong amount, wrong employer name — do not file your tax return yet. Contact Audacy when ready with the specific error. They will issue a corrected form: a W-2c (corrected W-2) or 1099-X (corrected 1099). This process can take two to four weeks, so report the error as soon as you spot it.

If Audacy does not correct the error within a reasonable time and you need to file your return, you can file with the incorrect form and then file an amended return (Form 1040-X) once the corrected form arrives. Keep records of all communication with Audacy about the error in case the IRS asks questions later.

Reporting Audacy income on your tax return

W-2 income from Audacy goes on Form 1040, Schedule 1, line 1a (wages, salaries, tips). The amount is already included in your taxable income calculation, and the taxes withheld reduce what you owe or increase your refund.

1099-NEC and 1099-MISC income goes on Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business) if you are self-employed, or on Schedule 1, line 8 (other income) if you received the payment as a one-time contractor. If you received a 1099, you may also owe self-employment tax, which you calculate on Schedule SE and report on Schedule 2.

Keep a copy of every Audacy tax form with your records for at least three years. The IRS receives a copy of every W-2 and 1099 issued to you, and they match those forms to your return. If your return does not report the income shown on the form, the IRS will send you a notice.

Multiple Audacy payments and how to report them

If you received payments from Audacy through different divisions, departments, or for different types of work, you may receive more than one 1099 form. For example, you might get one 1099-NEC for freelance work and another for royalty payments, or separate forms from different Audacy subsidiaries.

Report each form separately on your tax return, but combine the totals when calculating your self-employment tax. If you received multiple W-2s from Audacy (for example, if you worked for two different Audacy stations in the same year), report each one, and the IRS will combine them when processing your return.

If you believe you should have received a form but did not, or if you received a form for income you did not earn, contact Audacy's tax department with the specific details. Provide the amount you believe is incorrect and the dates of the payments in question.

Self-employment tax and estimated payments for 1099 income

When you receive a 1099 from Audacy, you owe self-employment tax on that income in addition to regular income tax. Self-employment tax covers Social Security and Medicare for self-employed people — it is roughly 15.3 percent of your net earnings from self-employment.

You calculate self-employment tax on Schedule SE and report it on your 1040. If your 1099 income is substantial, you may need to make quarterly estimated tax payments (Form 1040-ES) to avoid penalties. The IRS requires estimated payments if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes for the year.

Quarterly estimated payments are due April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. If you are unsure whether you need to make them, use the IRS Form 1040-ES worksheet or consult a tax professional. Missing estimated payments can result in underpayment penalties even if you pay all your taxes when you file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Audacy send me a 1099 if I earned less than $600?

No. The IRS does not require companies to issue a 1099-NEC unless they paid you $600 or more in a calendar year. However, you still owe tax on any income you earned, even if you do not receive a form. Report it on your return based on your own records of payments received.

I worked for an Audacy station but received a W-2 from a different company name. Is that normal?

Yes. Audacy owns stations under many different corporate entities and subsidiary names. The W-2 will show the legal employer entity, which may not be the station's call letters. The EIN on the form will match Audacy's corporate structure. If you are unsure whether the form is legitimate, call the station's human resources department to confirm.

What if I never received my Audacy 1099 and I already filed my return?

Contact Audacy when ready to request a copy. Once you receive it, file an amended return (Form 1040-X) to report the income. The IRS will also receive a copy of the 1099, so they may send you a notice if your original return did not include it. Filing the amendment yourself is faster and avoids penalties.

Do I need to report Audacy income if I also have a W-2 from another job?

Yes. Report all income on your return, whether it comes from one employer or many. If you have a W-2 from Audacy and a 1099 from another source, report both. Your total income determines your tax bracket and which deductions you can claim.

Can I deduct business expenses against my Audacy 1099 income?

Yes, if you are self-employed or working as a contractor. You report the 1099 amount and subtract legitimate business expenses (equipment, software, home office, travel related to the work) on Schedule C. Keep receipts for all expenses. If you received a W-2, you cannot deduct employee business expenses on your 2024 return, though this rule may change in future years.