IRS Form 1099-MISC – Businesses and payers must report certain payments to non-employees and the IRS using IRS Form 1099-MISC, officially titled “Miscellaneous Information.” This form covers rents, royalties, prizes, awards, and other miscellaneous income that do not qualify as nonemployee compensation.
With the 2020 reintroduction of Form 1099-NEC for contractor payments, Form 1099-MISC now focuses on other reportable payments. Understanding when and how to use it helps avoid penalties and ensures compliance for tax year 2025 filings in 2026.
Download the official IRS Form 1099-MISC PDF here: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1099msc.pdf (Rev. April 2025, suitable for info copies).
What Is IRS Form 1099-MISC?
Form 1099-MISC reports miscellaneous payments made in the course of a trade or business. Payers file it with the IRS and furnish copies to recipients (payers are typically businesses, individuals, or organizations making these payments).
It differs from wage reporting (W-2) or contractor service payments (1099-NEC). The form includes multiple boxes for specific income types, with varying reporting thresholds.
Key point: Personal (non-business) payments do not require a 1099-MISC. Report only payments tied to your trade or business.
1099-MISC vs. 1099-NEC: Key Differences
Many confuse these forms. Here’s a clear breakdown:
- Form 1099-NEC: Reports nonemployee compensation (payments for services) of $600 or more, such as freelance work or independent contractor fees. It also covers attorney fees for services and certain other compensation.
- Form 1099-MISC: Reports miscellaneous income like rents, royalties ($10+ threshold), prizes/awards, medical payments, crop insurance, and gross proceeds paid to attorneys (not for services).
Recent change: Excess golden parachute payments now go on 1099-NEC (not MISC). Direct sales of $5,000+ consumer products for resale can appear on either form in some cases.
Quick comparison table:
| Aspect | 1099-NEC | 1099-MISC |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Payments for services | Rents, royalties, prizes, other misc. income |
| Threshold | $600 | $600 (most); $10 for royalties/substitute payments |
| Deadline to Recipients | January 31, 2026 | January 31, 2026 (or next business day) |
| IRS Filing | Same as above | Feb 28 (paper) / March 31 (e-file), 2026 |
Always confirm the correct form to avoid filing errors.
Who Must File Form 1099-MISC?
File if you are a payer (business, individual, trust, partnership, nonprofit, or government entity) who made qualifying payments during the calendar year. Report to recipients who are:
- Individuals
- Partnerships
- Estates
- Certain corporations (e.g., for medical or legal payments)
Do not file for payments to corporations in most cases, or for personal (non-business) transactions.
E-filing requirement: Mandatory if you file 10 or more information returns (of any type) in aggregate. Strongly recommended even for fewer forms.
What Payments Go on Form 1099-MISC? Box-by-Box Guide?
Here are the main reportable items (thresholds for 2025 payments):
- Box 1: Rents — $600+ (office space, equipment, land, etc.; excludes real estate agents).
- Box 2: Royalties — $10+ (patents, copyrights, oil/gas/minerals).
- Box 3: Other income — $600+ (prizes, awards, taxable damages, certain grants, punitive damages, etc.).
- Box 4: Federal income tax withheld — Backup withholding (e.g., missing TIN).
- Box 5: Fishing boat proceeds — Crew shares on qualifying boats.
- Box 6: Medical and health care payments — $600+ to providers (including corporations).
- Box 7 — Checkbox for direct sales of $5,000+ consumer products for resale (not in permanent retail).
- Box 8: Substitute payments in lieu of dividends/interest — $10+.
- Box 9: Crop insurance proceeds — $600+.
- Box 10: Gross proceeds paid to an attorney — $600+ (not fees for services).
- Box 11: Fish purchased for resale — $600+ cash payments.
- Box 12: Section 409A deferrals — Reportable deferrals under nonqualified plans.
- Box 15: Nonqualified deferred compensation — Amounts includible due to plan failures.
- Box 13: FATCA filing requirement checkbox.
- Boxes 16–18: State tax information (optional for state filing).
See the full instructions for nuances.
1099-MISC Filing Deadlines for 2026 (Tax Year 2025)
- To recipients: January 31, 2026 (or next business day; sources indicate February 2, 2026 for most copies). February 17, 2026, if reporting only in boxes 8 or 10.
- To IRS:
- Paper: February 28, 2026 (or next business day).
- Electronic: March 31, 2026.
If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, it shifts to the next business day. Always verify on IRS.gov closer to deadlines.
Tip: Furnish Copy B to the recipient and keep records. Use Copy A (scannable red version) only for official IRS paper filing—downloadable PDFs are for info copies.
How to File Form 1099-MISC?
- Collect recipient information using Form W-9.
- Complete the form (payer details, recipient TIN/name/address, applicable boxes).
- Furnish Copy B (and Copy 2 if needed for state) to recipients by the deadline.
- File Copy A with Form 1096 (transmittal) if paper filing, or e-file via IRS IRIS, FIRE, or approved software.
- Retain copies for your records (usually 3+ years).
E-filing is faster, more accurate, and often required. Free options and software are available through IRS.gov/InfoReturn.
Common Questions and Mistakes to Avoid
- I received a 1099-MISC — what do I do? Report the income on your tax return (e.g., Schedule 1, E, C, or F depending on the box and nature). Keep the form for records.
- No form received but I had income? Report it anyway— the IRS matches data.
- Wrong form used? Contact the payer for a corrected form if possible.
- Backup withholding: Applies if the recipient didn’t provide a TIN or it was invalid.
Frequent errors include misclassifying payments (NEC vs. MISC), missing deadlines, or incorrect TINs, which can trigger penalties.
Download and Resources
- Official Form: 1099-MISC PDF
- Instructions: IRS Instructions for Forms 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC (search IRS.gov)
- General Information Returns Instructions: IRS.gov/1099GeneralInstructions
Final Advice
Form 1099-MISC ensures proper reporting of miscellaneous income, helping both payers and recipients stay compliant. Tax rules can change, and individual situations vary, so consult a tax professional or use IRS resources for your specific case. Accurate filing protects you from penalties and supports smooth tax seasons. For the latest updates, visit the official IRS pages on Form 1099-MISC. Stay informed and file on time!