Getting a copy of your 1099 tax form online is a convenient way to access your tax documents. 1099 forms report income you received outside of a regular paycheck, like from freelance work, investments, or retirement accounts. Here are some common questions about retrieving 1099s electronically and tips for accessing your tax forms online.
Why do I need a copy of my 1099?
1099 forms show how much income you received outside of your regular employment in the previous tax year. They are issued by companies and organizations that paid you for services like:
- Freelance work
- Ride sharing like Uber or Lyft
- Investment accounts
- Retirement account withdrawals
- Rental property income
You’ll need to report the income listed on your 1099 when you file your tax return. The IRS also receives a copy of any 1099 issued to you, so it’s important the amounts you report on your return match what’s on the 1099.
When will I receive my 1099?
Most 1099s are required to be mailed out by January 31st for the previous tax year. However, 1099-B forms reporting income from investments don’t have to be issued until February 15th. So you may receive some 1099s as late as mid-February before you file your tax return.
How do I get a copy of my 1099 online?
Many companies now offer digital access to your tax documents instead of mailing paper copies. To find your forms online, you’ll need to log into your account with each applicable company, such as:
- PayPal or payment apps like Venmo or CashApp for 1099-K forms
- Investment or retirement accounts like IRA or 401k for 1099-R and 1099-B forms
- Banks or lenders for 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, or other finance-related 1099s
The process varies by company, but typically you’ll need to:
- Log into your online account
- Go to your account settings or tax documents page
- Select the tax year to view and download available 1099 files
Some tips for accessing 1099s from different services:
PayPal
To access your PayPal 1099-K:
- Log in to your PayPal account
- Click the settings gear and select “Tax Documents”
- Click to download your 1099-K under the “Available tax forms” section
Venmo
For Venmo 1099-Ks:
- Open the Venmo app and tap the profile icon
- Tap “Settings” then “Get My Tax Documents”
- Tap the year to download your 1099-K file
Cash App
Cash App makes 1099-Ks available by:
- Opening the Cash App and tapping the profile icon
- Tapping “Taxes” at the bottom
- Tapping the year and then “View Form”
- Tap “Download PDF” to save your 1099-K file
Robinhood
For investment account 1099s from Robinhood:
- Log into your Robinhood account online or in the app
- Go to the account page
- Tap “Tax Documents” to view available 1099s
- Click “Download” next to the appropriate 1099 type and tax year
Fidelity
To download Fidelity 1099 forms:
- Log into your Fidelity account and click “Accounts & Trade” then “Tax Forms & Information”
- Click “Tax Forms” in the dropdown menu
- Select the year to view and download 1099 files
Where can I find past years’ 1099 forms online?
You can access PDF copies of previous years’ 1099s by logging into your accounts for those services. Most institutions provide at least 3 years of online tax document history. For older 1099 forms no longer available online, you’ll need to request copies directly from the issuer.
What if I didn’t receive a 1099 form?
If you received income that should have been reported on a 1099, but you never got the form, you still need to report the income. Contact the company to request they reissue a copy of your 1099 for tax filing purposes.
You’ll need to estimate the income amount to the best of your ability when reporting it on your tax return. Be sure to keep good records like bank statements and invoices to document the income.
Do I need to print my online 1099?
You don’t need to print your 1099 form to file taxes. The IRS accepts filing electronically without any paper copies. Simply download the PDF files and save them on your computer along with your other tax records.
However, you may choose to print 1099s for your own records, or so you can easily reference the amounts when filing. Just be sure to keep digital or paper copies for at least 3 years according to IRS guidelines.
How long should I keep my 1099 forms?
The IRS requires taxpayers keep supporting tax documentation for a minimum of 3 years after filing. However, it’s recommended you retain 1099s and tax returns for at least 6 years in case you need to file an amended return or are audited.
Store digital and paper tax records securely, and avoid throwing out supporting tax documents until they pass the minimum 3-6 year mark. This includes W-2s, 1099s, receipts, and any other forms reporting income, taxes paid, or expenses.
Can I file my taxes without my 1099 form?
Yes, you can file your tax return even if you haven’t received one or more 1099s yet. If you know you received income that will be reported on a late 1099, estimate the amount as closely as you can.
Once you get the actual 1099, compare it to the amount you reported. If it differs significantly, you may need to amend your tax return. If the 1099 arrives after you file but before the April deadline, you can include the corrected information on your return.
What do the different 1099 forms mean?
Some common 1099 form types and what they report:
1099 Form | What it Reports |
---|---|
1099-INT | Interest income |
1099-DIV | Dividend income |
1099-MISC | Miscellaneous income like freelance or side work |
1099-NEC | Non-employee compensation |
1099-G | Certain government payments or refunds |
1099-R | Retirement account distributions |
1099-K | Payment processing like PayPal or third party apps |
Conclusion
Accessing your 1099 forms online is a fast, convenient way to get the tax documents you need to report income. By logging into your accounts, you can securely download the correct 1099s issued to you for the tax year.
Make sure to download or print copies for your records right away in case you need to reference them when filing your tax return. And retain digital or paper copies of your 1099s for at least 3-6 years as required by the IRS in case of an audit or amended return.