The short answer is, you will pay a fine. It does not need to be a hefty fine if you take the proper steps moving forward. Employers can resolve any missing 1099 forms. It is not necessarily too late to send a missing information return, whether your business or the IRS realizes it first.
Make sure that you promptly file a missing 1099 once someone discovers it.
Forgetting to file a 1099 is not uncommon. You will face consequences if you intentionally disregard a notice or put off sending a form to the IRS and your vendor and/or contractor.
Late penalties vary depending on how long you neglect to submit a 1099 form. The IRS penalty fee for tax year 2025 is anywhere from $60 to $300 per form. The IRS can issue further fines if they determine that you intentionally disregarded a tax form deadline.
The IRS’ Intentional Disregard penalty is $660 for tax year 2025.
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People Also Ask
- What is the 1099 statute of limitations? – A three-year statute of limitations period begins on the due date of a return or the date that you filed it (choose the later of the dates).
- What if I forgot to file a 1099 for a contractor who is now deceased? – You still need to file a 1099 form or correct an error on one, even if the contractor died during the year.
- Should you file taxes without software? – If you cannot afford or prefer not to outsource tax software support, you should avoid manual filing and invest in tax software to stay compliant and efficient.