Tax Tips & Calculators

The different types of Form 1099 are for reporting various types of income not included on Form W-2.

You should receive most 1099s by Feb. 1. However these aren´t due until Feb. 15:

• Form 1099-B
• Form 1099-S
• Form 1099-MISC – if substitute payments are reported in box 8 or gross proceeds paid to an attorney are reported in box 14

If you have income subject to backup withholding, the payers of that income will show the tax withheld on Form 1099. A payer is required to withhold tax at a rate of 28% if any of these apply:

• You don't provide the payer with your tax identification number, like your Social Security number(SSN).
• The TIN you provide is incorrect.
• The IRS notifies the payor that you´ve been underreporting interest or dividends.
• You haven´t certified that you´re exempt from backup withholding.

Form 1099-B

Form 1099-B is for reporting proceeds from securities transactions. Report securities transactions on Schedule D. If you have an account at a brokerage or mutual fund company, any Form 1099-B you receive might report a single transaction or multiple transactions.

You need this 1099-B information when preparing your return

Box 1a: Date of sale or exchange– This is the date the transaction took place. Use it as the sales date on your Schedule D.

Box 2: Stocks, bonds, etc. – This is the amount of money you received on the sale of your securities. Report it as the sales price on your Schedule D. The brokerage firm or mutual-fund company usually reduces this amount by commissions – see the checkbox next to the box 2 amount.

Box 7: Description– This is a brief description of the asset sold. Enter this amount on your Schedule D.

Some firms also provide information about the cost basis of the asset sold. You can use this information on Schedule D. Beginning in 2011, brokers and mutual-fund companies are required to:

• Report the basis of the shares acquired and sold after 2010 on Form 1099­B
• Classify the resulting gain or loss as either short or long­term

For securities purchased before 2011, it´s optional for firms to include the cost basis on Form 1099-B. If it´ not included you're responsible for figuring your cost or other basis.

Form 1099-DIV

Form 1099-DIV is used to report dividends and capital gain distributions from stocks and mutual funds.

You need this 1099-DIV information when preparing your return:

Box 1a: Ordinary dividends – Enter this amount on Form 1040 or on Schedule B (if required). It´s taxable at ordinary income rates.

Box 2a: Total Capital gain distributions – Enter this amount on Form 1040 or Schedule D (if required). It might be eligible for a lower tax rate.

Box 6: Foreign tax paid– This amount is taxes paid to a foreign government on international investments. You can claim a credit or itemized deduction for this amount, whichever is most advantageous. Check with a tax professional.

Form 1099-INT

Form 1099-INT is for reporting interest income received.

You need this 1099-INT information when preparing your return:

Box 1: Interest income – Enter this amount on Form 1040 or on Schedule B (if required). It´s taxable as ordinary income.

Box 2: Early withdrawal penalty– This amount is charged when you withdraw a time investment, like a CD, early. Enter this amount as an adjustment to income on Form 1040, line 30.

Box 3: Interest on U.S. Savings Bonds and Treasury obligations – Report this interest on Form 1040 or Schedule B (if required). It´s usually taxable on your federal return. It´s usually not taxable on your state return.

Form 1099-MISC

Form 1099-MISC is for reporting many types of income. The main types – rents, royalties and nonemployee compensation – usually require the use of additional forms on your return.

Box 1: Rents – Report real-estate rental income you receive on Schedule E. Report rent for personal property, like machinery, on Schedule C. Income reported on Schedule C usually is subject to self-employment tax.

Box 2: Royalties – Income you receive for the right to your work over a specified period of time or for extracting natural resources from your property. Report this income on Schedule C or Schedule E. Consult with a tax professional to assist you in reporting this income.

Box 7: Nonemployee compensation – Income you receive for contract labor or self-employment. You must usually report this income on Schedule C and pay self-employment tax on the net profit.

To learn more, see these tax tips:

• Self-employment Deductions
• Form W-2