Essential Guide to Filing 1099-NECs for 2025

As the tax season looms, it's an opportune moment to remind businesses about the critical importance of filing the Form 1099-NEC for independent contractors. If your business has compensated any non-employee $600 or more for services in 2025, this form is not just a necessity; it’s your ticket to safeguarding your deductions and avoiding IRS penalties.

Important Filing Deadline: The IRS stipulates that 1099-NECs for tax year 2025 must reach both the contractors and the IRS by February 2, 2026, a departure from the usual January 31 due to the weekend extension.

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Landlords: Pay Attention - Landlords eyeing the 20% 199A pass-through deduction should note that filing 1099-NECs may bolster their qualification as a legitimate business under IRS guidelines. This adaptation aligns with strategies to monetize rental activities.

Special Case Scenarios: Filing isn’t solely for general contractors; a few distinct scenarios also apply:

  • You're required to issue 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC if your business sells over $5,000 of consumer products on a buy-sell or commission basis.
  • Every independent contractor from whom backup withholding has been deducted must receive a 1099-NEC, regardless of the payment total (reported in Box 4).

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Optimize with Form W-9: Be proactive by ensuring that unincorporated service providers complete an IRS Form W-9 with initial service hiring. This form secures the taxpayer identification and compliance credentials, protecting your business from unnecessary conflicts and penalties.

Household Employers: Note that 1099-NEC requirements do not apply as these individuals are considered employees, requiring different reporting forms.

Avoid Potential Penalties: Penalties for late or inaccurate 1099 submissions can escalate quickly, with fines ranging from $60 to $340 per form, extending to at least $680 for deliberate omissions.

Penalty Mitigation Strategies: If a contractor's TIN proves elusive, adopt these measures to avoid fines:

  • Conduct up to three documented requests for the TIN via email or certified mail.
  • Implement backup withholding at a 24% rate if the TIN is not provided promptly.

For comprehensive guidance or assistance on filing your 1099-NEC forms, don't hesitate to reach out. Alternatively, download the 1099-NEC worksheet for organized filing preparation.

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