form_1099nec

IRS 1099-NEC - Contractor Pay

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  842 reviews

Zendocs is not affiliated with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Everything You Need to Know About the 1099-NEC Form

What is the 1099-NEC?
The IRS 1099-NEC (Nonemployee Compensation) is used by payers to report annual payments to contractors and service providers not treated as employees. Contractors then use this form to file their own tax returns.

Who gets a 1099-NEC?

  • Any independent contractor earning $600 or more from one client in a year.
  • Attorneys receiving $600+ in legal fees.
  • Service providers such as consultants, designers, writers, drivers, and gig economy workers.

Who files the 1099-NEC?

  • Businesses and individuals must issue one if they pay $600+ in a trade or business relationship.
  • Payers must file Copy A with the IRS and send Copy B to the contractor.

Why is it important?

  • For the IRS: Ensures accurate tracking of contractor income.
  • For contractors: Provides proof of income needed for tax filing, mortgages, or loan applications.
  • For payers: Avoids IRS penalties for failing to report required payments.

Deadlines

  • January 31: Send Copy B to contractors and file with the IRS.
  • If filing late, penalties range from $60 to $310 per form, depending on how late you file.

How to file the 1099-NEC

  1. Collect contractor details using Form W-9 (name, address, TIN/SSN/EIN).
  2. Fill out the 1099-NEC: report total compensation in Box 1.
  3. Send Copy B to the contractor by January 31.
  4. File Copy A with the IRS (e-file strongly recommended).
  5. Keep Copy C for your records.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Forgetting to issue the form if payments were $600+.
  • Sending to employees instead of contractors (employees use W-2).
  • Reporting payments processed via PayPal/Venmo (these go on 1099-K instead).
  • Filing late or with incorrect taxpayer info.


FAQ

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Step 1: Fill Out The Form

1. Fill Out The Form

Fill in your details and information, add date and customize as needed

Step 2: Add Your Signature

2. Add Your Signature

Add legally-binding signature by drawing, uploading, or typing

Step 3: Download or share

3. Download or share

Your form is ready, download, share link or send via email instantly

Step 1: Fill Out The Form

1. Fill Out The Form

Fill in your details and information, add date and customize as needed

Step 2: Add Your Signature

2. Add Your Signature

Add legally-binding signature by drawing, uploading, or typing

Step 3: Download or share

3. Download or share

Your form is ready, download, share link or send via email instantly

What our users are saying

Excellent
4.83 based on
  842 reviews
Sophie Frank
Verified Customer

I was skeptical about editing pdfs on my phone, but Zendocs made it work smoothly. Filled out a freelance w9 while waiting for my coffee. No issues at all.

United States5 days ago
Eugene Campbell
Verified Customer

I'm a screenwriter and mark up my drafts often. Tried the annotate pdf tool here – it was actually pleasant to use. Notes stuck where I placed them, colors were clear, and export kept everything intact. Beats printing 80 pages every time.

United States2 days ago
Bruno Simmons
Verified Customer

Used ZenDocs to split up a 100-page policy doc into smaller team manuals. It was quick, intuitive, and didn't crash once – even with that massive file.

United States1 day ago
Mindy Reid
Verified Customer

Compiled my speaker bio, session outline, and visual aids into one file for a conference. ZenDocs let me combine them fast and add bookmarks for each section. This made navigating during my talk so much easier. I even re-uploaded the final version to make a few changes – every step was smooth. Really appreciated how consistent the UI was.

United States1 day ago
Laura Martinez
Verified Customer

I needed to add quick comments to student feedback forms and the annotate pdf feature on zen docs made it painless. No crashes, super clean interface – definitely easier than Adobe's bloated editor.

United States1 day ago
A Costa
Verified Customer

ZenDocs has the cleanest interface I've used. Edited a PDF proposal, reordered some sections, and exported without hassle. It just works.

United States1 day ago
Sophie Frank
Verified Customer

I was skeptical about editing pdfs on my phone, but Zendocs made it work smoothly. Filled out a freelance w9 while waiting for my coffee. No issues at all.

United States5 days ago
Eugene Campbell
Verified Customer

I'm a screenwriter and mark up my drafts often. Tried the annotate pdf tool here – it was actually pleasant to use. Notes stuck where I placed them, colors were clear, and export kept everything intact. Beats printing 80 pages every time.

United States2 days ago
Bruno Simmons
Verified Customer

Used ZenDocs to split up a 100-page policy doc into smaller team manuals. It was quick, intuitive, and didn't crash once – even with that massive file.

United States1 day ago
Mindy Reid
Verified Customer

Compiled my speaker bio, session outline, and visual aids into one file for a conference. ZenDocs let me combine them fast and add bookmarks for each section. This made navigating during my talk so much easier. I even re-uploaded the final version to make a few changes – every step was smooth. Really appreciated how consistent the UI was.

United States1 day ago
Laura Martinez
Verified Customer

I needed to add quick comments to student feedback forms and the annotate pdf feature on zen docs made it painless. No crashes, super clean interface – definitely easier than Adobe's bloated editor.

United States1 day ago
A Costa
Verified Customer

ZenDocs has the cleanest interface I've used. Edited a PDF proposal, reordered some sections, and exported without hassle. It just works.

United States1 day ago
Sophie Frank
Verified Customer

I was skeptical about editing pdfs on my phone, but Zendocs made it work smoothly. Filled out a freelance w9 while waiting for my coffee. No issues at all.

United States5 days ago
Eugene Campbell
Verified Customer

I'm a screenwriter and mark up my drafts often. Tried the annotate pdf tool here – it was actually pleasant to use. Notes stuck where I placed them, colors were clear, and export kept everything intact. Beats printing 80 pages every time.

United States2 days ago
Bruno Simmons
Verified Customer

Used ZenDocs to split up a 100-page policy doc into smaller team manuals. It was quick, intuitive, and didn't crash once – even with that massive file.

United States1 day ago
Mindy Reid
Verified Customer

Compiled my speaker bio, session outline, and visual aids into one file for a conference. ZenDocs let me combine them fast and add bookmarks for each section. This made navigating during my talk so much easier. I even re-uploaded the final version to make a few changes – every step was smooth. Really appreciated how consistent the UI was.

United States1 day ago
Laura Martinez
Verified Customer

I needed to add quick comments to student feedback forms and the annotate pdf feature on zen docs made it painless. No crashes, super clean interface – definitely easier than Adobe's bloated editor.

United States1 day ago
A Costa
Verified Customer

ZenDocs has the cleanest interface I've used. Edited a PDF proposal, reordered some sections, and exported without hassle. It just works.

United States1 day ago
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Form 1099 NEC-Report Contractor & Freelancer Income | Zendocs