1099-NEC form updates

updated 08/26/2026

1099-NEC form updates for the 2026 tax year

In 2021 the IRS announced major 1099-NEC form updates, changing the layout to three forms on a page, as compared to the previous year when there were two forms on a page.

This year, the IRS has reverted 1099-NEC form back to the two-forms-to-a-page layout. This change will require reprogramming for your data to fit the form.

There are additional changes that may impact your processes.

1. Address Fields: The IRS separated payer and recipient addresses into individual fields, which may require updates to data entry and reporting processes.
2. E-Filing Threshold: Businesses filing 10 or more information returns must generally file electronically. Review your filing procedures and software to ensure compliance.
3. Reporting Threshold Increase: For tax years beginning after 2025, the reporting and backup withholding threshold for certain payments increases to $2,000, with future inflation adjustments possible.
4. New Cash Tip Reporting Boxes (1b and 13a): Forms 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC now include new fields for reporting cash tips.
5. New Tipped Occupation Code Boxes (1c and 13b): Additional fields have been added to identify tipped occupations using Treasury-issued occupation codes.
6. New Overtime Compensation Boxes (1d and 14): The forms now include dedicated fields for reporting overtime compensation.

How the 1099-NEC form changes may affect you

Just like in previous years, you'll need to select the correct style of envelopes to mail your form 1099-NEC. Envelopes designed to match the old three-to-a-page format won't work with the two-to-a-page configuration.

In addition, it's always a smart idea to make sure your accounting software package is up-to-date and current. Check with your software vendor to confirm that you have the most up-to-date version before you print your 1099 forms.

What’s the difference between the 1099-NEC form and 1099-MISC, and which one should I use?

We hear this question a lot since the IRS rolled out the 1099-NEC form. What’s the difference between the 1099-NEC form and 1099-MISC, and which one should I use? 

The short answer is: in 2020, the 1099-NEC form replaced Box 7 on the old 1099-MISC. This is the box for reporting non-employee compensation. If you paid any non-employee more than $2,000 for services last year, you need to file form 1099-NEC. The same holds true if you withheld any income tax for a non-employee (regardless of the total amount of compensation).

If you're filing to report consumer products for resale in an amount totaling $5,000 or more, you can use either Box 2 on Form 1099-NEC or Box 7 on Form 1099-MISC. Just make sure you complete filing anything that uses Form 1099-NEC by the January 31, 2025 form deadline.

Why the IRS made this change

Prior to 2020, you reported non-employee compensation in Box 7 on form 1099-MISC. This caused a lot of headaches! The deadline for reporting non-employee compensation is January 31, but the deadline for the rest of the reporting done on form 1099-MISC is later. (February 28 for paper filing, March 31 if filing electronically.) By reporting both types on the same form, filers risked late penalties on an entire batch of forms filed after January 31, even if only some of the forms had an amount in Box 7 - i.e., only some of the forms were actually late. 

1099-NEC and 1099-MISC filing deadlines

All non-employee compensation must be reported on form 1099-NEC by January 31, whether you're filing online or by mail. All other types of income typically reported on the 1099-MISC must be filed by February 28 if filing on paper forms, or March 31 if filing electronically.  

Where to get 1099 forms

We carry all types of tax forms in our warehouse, ready for same-day/next day shipping (or delivery in the Boise metro area). We also carry matching envelopes for all of our in-stock forms, so you never have to worry about finding what you need to mail your forms on time. Shop online for your 1099 forms here, call us at 208.342.3676, or leave us a note. We'll help you get exactly what you need, when you need it!