What is Form 1099-NEC?
Form 1099-NEC reports payments of $600 or more made to independent contractors and freelancers. If you receive one, the IRS got a copy too — so that income needs to appear on your return.
If you're a freelancer, the 1099-NEC is your version of a W-2 — except nothing was withheld, so the full tax bill lands on you. Each client that paid you $600+ sends one, and you'll usually get them by early February. Add them up, compare to your own records, and report the total on Schedule C even if a client under-reported or forgot to send a form.
Who files it
Businesses that paid a non-employee $600+ for services during the year file it; contractors receive a copy.
When it's due
Form 1099-NEC is generally due January 31. Deadlines can move for weekends and holidays, so confirm the exact date for the current year on IRS.gov.
Key lines and parts
Here's what you'll actually fill in on Form 1099-NEC:
- Payer and recipient info and TINs
- Box 1 — nonemployee compensation
- Box 4 — federal income tax withheld (backup withholding)
- Boxes 5–7 — state information
How to file
Payers send copies to recipients and the IRS by January 31. Recipients report the amount on Schedule C as business income.