A 1099 is a form used to report non-salary income to the IRS for federal income tax purposes. The IRS requires that all 1099’s be submitted by January 31st, 2022.

As a nonprofit organization, you are responsible for issuing a Form 1099 to any individual (person who is running a business and not incorporated – “independent contractors”) or LLC/LLP that your organization made payments of $600 or more to during the calendar year. Form 1099’s must be provided to the payees (vendors you paid) by January 31 of each year. Failure by your organization to furnish a correct Form 1099 by the due date is subject to a penalty.

The IRS currently separates 1099s into two different categories.

  • A 1099-NEC (Non-Employee Compensation) reports any payments to non-employee service providers such as independent contractors, freelancers, vendors, consultants, and other self-employed individuals (commonly referred to as 1099 workers)

  • 1099-MISC form reports payments such as rents, royalties, lawyer fees, fishing boat proceeds, and medical and health care payments.

Payments made to any other type of entity (Nonprofit, S-Corporation, C-Corporation etc.) do not require you to issue a Form 1099. Additionally, reimbursements to individuals for covered expenses do NOT qualify for a 1099.

Please also note that you do NOT need to file a 1099 form for payments made to independent contractors through PayPal, Venmo etc. Instead, the electronic payment companies will handle any required reporting on their end.

If you do not know what type of entity the business you are working with is, you would need to research the company/person (look at their website, call them and ask etc.), or issue them a W-9.

It can be difficult to gather information from vendors at the end of the year. Therefore, we recommend having your vendors fill out a W-9 BEFORE issuing your first payment of the year. A form W-9 will gather all of the needed information (Name, Address, and Social Security Number) from the vendor for a 1099 to be issued.

Request that they fill out boxes 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, Part I (the important one), and Part II (Signature and Date)

The IRS’s due date for 1099 filings, January 31, 2021, is approaching fast. If you have any questions about your organization’s 1099 obligations, or would like some assistance preparing your filings, please do not hesitate to reach out!