Today is the Last Day to E-file These Information Returns!

Heads up, information return filers!

In case you haven’t heard, today’s a pretty big deadline for 1099 and W-2 filers.

W-2 Forms
As we mentioned a time or two before, the filing deadline for all W-2 Forms for the 2016 tax year is January 31, 2017. This means:

• W-2 Forms to your recipients must be postmarked and sent today.
• W-2 Forms to be filed with the Social Security Administration need to be filed on paper or electronically today.

If you still need to get started, there’s no time to waste. Read on to see how ExpressIRSForms can help!

1099 Forms
1099 Form filers who haven’t begun filing for the 2016 tax year yet may be in slightly less dire straits - if they fall in the right categories. Regardless of the 1099, you need to file or what you need to report on it, the recipient copies must be mailed out today, January 31, 2017.

And if you need to file Form 1099-MISC to report nonemployee compensation in box 7, you must file Copy A of Form 1099-MISC with the IRS today. You may also be required to file a copy of this form with your state today as well.

E-filing with ExpressIRSForms
ExpressIRSForms is the perfect place for last-minute filing. Not only do we begin the IRS e-filing process as soon as you hit transmit (ensuring you that pre-11:59 p.m. timestamp that marks your return on time), we’ll also print, stamp, and mail your recipient copies!

Now, we can only guarantee your recipient copies go out today if you get them in by 11:00 a.m. EST today. But we are pulling extra hours to provide the support you need so get them in as soon as you can anyway.

Speaking of support, if you have any questions as we get down to the wire, we’re here and we’re open late. Give us a call at (704) 684-4751 or send us a live chat and we’ll do our best to help you get everything filed on time. And, as always, you can also send us an email to support@ExpressIRSForms.com and we’ll make sure you get a speedy response!

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Get to Know the 1099s You Can E-file with ExpressIRSForms

If you’re looking to file a 1099 Form, then look no further because you’ve come to just the right place! ExpressIRSForms is a leader in the 1099 e-filing industry and provides stress-free, IRS-authorized e-filing.

Form 1099 has a few important deadlines coming up now that the 2016 tax filing season is in full swing. Recipient copies of Form 1099 must be postmarked and mailed to your recipients by January 31, 2017. If you’re paper filing, you’ll need to have your forms to the IRS by February 28, 2017. If you’re going the easier route and e-filing, you have until March 31, 2017.

So now that you know when to file, check out your options for filing Form 1099 with ExpressIRSForms:

Form 1099-MISC
Form 1099-MISC is used to report miscellaneous income received by an individual for services other than a wage-paying job. In other words, this form is used to report payments rendered to non-employees, like sub-contractors, renters, prize winners, etc.

Those filing Form 1099-MISC this year for the 2016 tax year will need to pay special attention to its new deadline. If you’re filing Form 1099-MISC to report non-employee compensation in box 7, the form is due to your recipient and the IRS by January 31, 2017.

Form 1099-INT
Form 1099-INT is used to report payments on interest income of $10 or more. Generally, this form is filed by banks or financial, mutual fund, or government institutions. There are certain exemptions for Form 1099-INT, however. You’re exempt from filing one for payments made to payees that are

• US agencies or states or possessions, including Washington, D.C.
• Corporations or tax-exempt organizations
• Archer MSA or Medicare Advantage MSA
• Health savings accounts (HSA) or Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA)
• Registered securities or commodities dealers, nominees or custodians, brokers, or notional principal contract (swap) dealers

Form 1099-DIV
Form 1099-DIV is for dividends and distributions. It’s provided to investors by bankers and other financial institutions to report dividends and other distributions, like capital gains and exempt-interest dividends, of over $10 to payees and the IRS. There are only two exceptions for filing Form 1099-DIV and they are:

• Taxable dividend distributions from life insurance contracts and employee stock ownership plans. These distributions should be reported on Form 1099-R.
• Payments received by a broker resulting from a loan of a customer’s securities, which are reported on Form 1099-DIV.

Form 1099-R
Form 1099-R is used to report distributions from pensions, annuities, retirement or profit-sharing plans, IRAs, insurance contracts, etc. of $10 or more during the year. Most public and private pension plans not included in the Civil Service System can use Form 1099-R to report as well. Additionally Form 1099-R can be used to report certain death benefit payments from employers and disability payments from retirement plans.

Can’t Forget the Corrections
While we have every feature in place to ensure your filing is error-free the first time around, it never hurts to have back-ups. That’s why we also offer e-filing for Form 1099 corrections. And even if you didn’t initially file with us, you can still file corrections easily with ExpressIRSForms.

Corrections should be filed as soon as you notice the error or receive word that the IRS did. There are two types of corrections that can be made:

• Type 1: incorrect tax amount(s), code, checkbox, payee name, or to void a return.
• Type 2: missing/incorrect payee TIN, incorrect name or address, or the return was filed on the wrong form.

Form 1096
Typically, when Form 1099 is sent to the IRS via postal mail, a transmittal Form 1096 must accompany it. When you e-file, Form 1096 isn’t required. However, since you may need a copy for your records, when you e-file with ExpressIRSForms, we generate a copy based on the forms you file, which you can access in your account’s print center at any time.


For questions about e-filing any of these forms, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our customer support team. We’re available by phone (704-684-4751) and live chat Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST. We also provide 24/7 assistance at support@ExpressIRSForms.com!

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There's Just One Month Left for Certain Payers to File Form 1099-MISC

If you’re reporting non-employee compensation in box 7 of Form 1099-MISC for the 2016 tax year, the time to act is now!

In just a few short weeks, the deadline for Form 1099-MISC for those reporting non-employee compensation will be here: January 31, 2017.

According to the 2016 general instructions put out by the IRS for Forms 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, 5498, and W-2G, “Public Law 114-119, Division Q, section 201, requires 1099-MISC to be filed on or before January 31, 2017, when you are reporting nonemployee compensation payments in box 7. Otherwise, file by February 28, 2017, if you file on paper, or by March 31, 2017, if you file electronically.”

The recipient copy deadline for this form will remain the same. That means everyone, regardless of what they’re reporting on Form 1099-MISC, will need to have recipient copies mailed out by January 31, 2017.

You can get all of this done at once - and on time! - when you e-file 1099-MISC with ExpressIRSForms. We’re open for 2016 filing business, so once you sign up, all you need to do is fill in your 1099-MISC information and submit it securely through our IRS-authorized e-filing system. Before you send everything off, check the option to indicate you want us to mail your recipient copies for you, and we’ll send them out by the next business day.

So what are you waiting for? It’s time to get filing!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our customer support team! We’re available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST, by phone (704-684-4751) and live chat, and we provide email assistance 24/7 at support@ExpressIRSForms.com.

And be sure to check back here for more info about filing changes and how to complete your filing with ExpressIRSForms!

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ExpressIRSForms Presents: QuickBooks® Integration for 1099-MISC Forms!

The gifts just keep on giving here at ExpressIRSForms: in addition to Xero integration, we now also offer QuickBooks® integration for 1099-MISC Form filers!

Similar to our Xero integration, if you connect your QuickBooks® account with ExpressIRSForms, our program can securely access only the data needed to complete your 1099-MISC Forms. Then, all you need to do is enter the current year’s financial data in each 1099-MISC, review your return, and e-file it directly with the IRS! Simple, right?

So simple, we’ll show you how now:

• Log into your ExpressIRSForms account.
• Click on “Start New Form”.

• Select the “1099-MISC” button next to the QuickBooks® logo.

• Make sure to review the necessary steps for completing your 1099-MISC return via QuickBooks® integration.
• Click the “QB Connect” button.

• Sign into your QuickBooks® account to authorize the connection to ExpressIRSForms.
• In your QuickBooks® account, select the company or payer for whom you want to file and click “Authorize”.
• Confirm the payer information and add any missing data to your forms back in your ExpressIRSForms account.
• Review your forms, pay, and transmit!

Simple as that! But if you have any questions at all regarding integration with your ExpressIRSForms account or e-filing your 1099-MISC Forms, just let us know! Our support team is here by phone (704-684-4751) and live chat Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST, and available 24/7 at support@ExpressIRSForms.com.

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ExpressIRSForms Presents: Xero Integration for 1099-MISC Forms!

Welcome back, ExpressIRSForms filers! We’ve got a belated holiday present for you:

ExpressIRSForms now offers Xero integration to E-file 1099-MISC..!

That means if you already have a Xero account with all of the information needed to file 1099-MISC Forms, you can use that to e-file directly with the IRS with ExpressIRSForms. You won’t need to write in your info on paper forms or re-type it in another e-filing service.

With your authorization, ExpressIRSForms securely accesses only the data needed to complete Form 1099-MISC in your Xero account. Then, it uses that data and built-in knowledge of IRS rules and regulations to accurately create your 1099-MISC Forms for your review. Once you’ve entered in the current year’s financial data and approved the forms, you can e-file them directly to the IRS and have us print and mail your recipient forms (or do that yourself from your print center)!

Ready to link your Xero account to save a few steps in e-filing your 2016 1099-MISC Forms? Here’s how:

• Log into your ExpressIRSForms account.

• Select "Start New Form".


• Click the "1099-MISC" button next to the Xero logo.


• Review the steps required to complete your 1099-MISC return by connecting your ExpressIRSForms account with your Xero account.

• Select "Connect to Xero".

• Enter in your Xero account info to log in and authorize ExpressIRSForms to use your Xero account.

• When you come back to ExpressIRSForms, your 1099-MISC Forms will be ready for your review and to enter the current year's financial data for each recipient.

And, as always, if you have any questions during any step of the process, our support team is here to help! We're available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST by phone (704-684-4751) and live chat and available anytime at support@ExpressIRSForms.com.

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File Form 1099-MISC with ExpressIRSForms

Here at ExpressIRSForms, we have a lot of forms you can e-file securely with the IRS. We have a whole host of 1099 Forms, as well as W-2, ACA, W-9 Forms and correction forms.

If you’re a business owner with employees, it’s important to acquaint yourself with most of these forms, but today we’re going to focus on Form 1099-MISC!

About Form 1099-MISC
Form 1099-MISC is used to report miscellaneous income given to an individual for services that are not considered a wage-paying job. You must file a Form 1099-MISC for each person for whom, in the previous year, you paid:

• At least $10 in royalties or broker payments made in lieu of tax-exempt interest or dividends
• At least $600 in
• Rents
• Nonemployee compensation
• Prizes/awards
• Medical and health care payments
• Crop insurance proceeds
• Fishing boat proceeds
• Cash payments for fish or other aquatic life
• Cash paid form a notional principal contract to either an individual, partnership, or estate
• Payments to an attorney

Form 1099-MISC Deadline & 2016 Filing Changes
Form 1099-MISC follows your general information return deadlines for the most part. That means that your tax year 2016 recipient copies of Form 1099-MISC are due by January 31, 2017. If you’re paper filing, 1099-MISC Forms must be sent to the IRS by February 28, 2017, and if you’re e-filing they’re due by March 31, 2017.

But for the 2016 tax year, things are getting a little mixed up with the Form 1099-MISC deadlines. If you’re filing Form 1099-MISC to report nonemployee compensation in box 7, the deadline to have this form to the IRS regardless of filing method is January 31, 2017. So prepare for that if you’re filing Form 1099 this year.

E-filing Form 1099-MISC
And, of course, one of the best ways to prepare for your 1099-MISC filing is by signing up with ExpressIRSForms! We’re IRS-authorized (so you know you’re safe), our program’s cloud-based (so you can take it anywhere), and we’ve done everything possible to ensure your e-filing is done more quickly and easily than ever. We’ll even mail your recipient copies out for you once you e-file so you don’t have to!

Check out our website to sign up for an account today! And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’re available by phone at 704-684-4751 and live chat Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST, and we offer 24/7 customer assistance through support@ExpressIRSForms.com!

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Bulk Upload 1099-MISC Forms and More with ExpressIRSForms

At ExpressIRSForms, we’ve made it our business to make sure your information return e-filing is as simple, fast, and efficient as possible. That’s why our program is chock-full of features to ensure your data’s security and accuracy.

Today, the feature spotlight’s on our bulk upload feature!

Bulk Upload
We’ve talked a bit about our bulk upload before, but have you tried it yet?? We provide the Excel template, you input the data and upload it to your ExpressIRSForms account, and voila! Your data’s in the necessary boxes on Form 1099-MISC, ready to e-file after your review and approval.

Smart Upload
Smart Upload is a fun new twist on our bulk upload feature. Rather than use our Excel spreadsheet, you can upload one of your own to skip a few steps in the download/upload process. Then, just like with our original bulk upload, your data is automatically uploaded into 1099-MISC Forms for your review before you e-file.

ExpressIRSForms is Here to Help
Stay tuned with ExpressIRSForms to learn more about the features we have in place to help make sure your e-filing is easier than ever! And in the meantime, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly customer support team! We’re available by live chat and phone (704-684-4751) Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and provide 24/7 email support through support@ExpressIRSForms.com.

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Form 1099-MISC Has a New IRS Deadline

Well, guys, we had to break it to you about the new W-2 Form deadline, now we’ve got some more slightly stressing news: your Form 1099-MISC deadline has probably been backed up to January 31, too.

The New Filing Date
Usually, when we talk deadlines, we’re a little more exact than “probably,” but the new 1099-MISC filing date has a condition: if you’re reporting nonemployee compensation payments in box 7 on Form 1099-MISC, your 2016 1099-MISC Forms must be submitted to the IRS by January 31, 2017.

If you do not have to report nonemployee compensation payments in box 7, you get to stick with the old deadlines, which if you’ll remember, are:

• February 28, 2017, if you’re paper filing
• March 31, 2017, if you’re e-filing.

Use ExpressIRSForms to File On Time
Of course, if you’re using ExpressIRSForms, this little deadline change should be anything but stressful, because we have everything you need to make sure your return is done on time. We’re cloud-based, so you can access your account through any browser and we have a built-in Address Book that automatically saves your payer and payee information as you enter it. We’ll even mail your recipient copies of Form 1099-MISC out from our headquarters in South Carolina once we’ve securely e-filed your IRS return.

Check out www.ExpressIRSForms.com for more info or give us a ring! We’re available by phone (704-684-4751) and live chat Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST and we also offer 24/7 email assistance through support@ExpressIRSForms.com.

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The Forms of ExpressIRSForms

Boy, oh boy, has it been a big year for ExpressIRSForms! Growing from the simple, dependable e-filing base ExpressTaxFilings created with its 2012 launch, ExpressIRSForms had a booming first season, providing you with more e-filing capabilities than ever before.

The expansion into ExpressIRSForms brought with it e-filing support for twice as many IRS forms as before. To catch you up on all the forms we’ve added, here’s a bit about all the forms you can e-file at ExpressIRSForms.

Form 1099
The Form 1099 is a classic, used to report when a taxpayer has received income from sources other than a wage-paying job. That means it needs to be filled out by you (the employer) for all of the independent contractors and other non-employees you paid more than $600 to throughout the year for work related to your business.

Depending on how the payee received that moolah is which 1099 form you need to complete. Luckily, ExpressIRSForms supports four of the most commonly used 1099 forms, as well as their correction and transmittal forms:

• Form 1099-MISC, used to report payment for services performed for a business by people who aren’t employees, like subcontractors, renters, or prize recipients
• Form 1099-INT, which summarizes income of at least $10 from interest income
• Form 1099-DIV, used by banks and financial institutions to report dividends and other distributions over $10 received
• Form 1099-R, which reports distributions of retirement benefits over $10

W-2 Forms
For the people you hired as actual employees, we’ve got Form W-2 generation and e-filing. And when you e-file your W-2s with ExpressIRSForms, a digital copy of Form W-3 (the W-2 transmittal form) is automatically sent to the IRS along with your return. And while we try to make sure your return is sent off without any errors, making corrections to rejected W-2s is a breeze through ExpressIRSForms.

Affordable Care Act Forms
One of the biggest changes from ExpressTaxFilings to ExpressIRSForms was the addition of ACA Forms 1094-B, 1094-C, 1095-B, and 1095-C. Starting with the 2015 tax year (which was filed this past tax season), these forms became required to be filed by certain business owners and health insurance providers. ExpressIRSForms was one of the first IRS-authorized e-filing programs to have software capable of filing ACA forms, and we work every day to make sure we stay the best option for it.

Form W-9
Form W-9 isn’t a form you need to file with the IRS, but it is a form you need to complete to be able to complete the forms you need to file with the IRS. Typically when you hire someone, you’ll have them fill out and sign a Form W-9 to have a record of the information you’ll need to fill out their tax information returns each year, whether that’s a 1099, W-2, or ACA form. ExpressIRSForms gives you the ability to handle getting all that information and e-signature through a secure portal within your account. How simple does that sound?

Wanna Know More?
We get it, August isn’t a big time to think about your information returns. Or the upcoming tax season. That’s why we aim to make everything about your information return e-filing easier. So take a minute, check out our site, create an account, give us a call if you have a question. Then, go enjoy the rest of your summer, and come back in January when we’ll have everything ready for you to complete your 2015 return!

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Today's the Last Day to Extend Your Business Return

Hey, business filers! You’ve got a lot of filing going on right now, what with the 1099 and W-2 e-filing deadline at the end of the month, and, oh yeah, the business tax return deadline that’s today!

If you’ve been a little distracted (and who could blame you?) and need some more time to file your business’s tax return, then now’s the time to act. And by act, I mean head on over to our sister product’s site, www.ExpressExtension.com, to e-file a Form 7004.

Form 7004 is the business tax extension form, and it must be filed by March 15 (today) each year. Once your form’s been processed by the IRS, you’ll be granted an automatic 5- or 6-month extension to file your tax return. Specific partnerships, trusts, and estates are only eligible for a 5-month extension, but most business will see their due date extend from March 15 to September 15.

Keep in mind that Form 7004 only extends your time to file your return, not pay any taxes owed. You’ll still need to pay any taxes your business owes to the IRS by today. You can contact the IRS directly for information on setting up a payment plan at the IRS’s business tax hotline, 1-800-829-4933.

E-filing Form 7004 with ExpressExtension only takes a few minutes if you have all of your information prepared, and your extension is generally processed and accepted within an hour of filing. To file, you’ll need the name, address, and EIN of your business, which must match what the IRS has on file. Additionally, you’ll need to provide an estimate of how much you owe in taxes. A reason, however, isn’t required to get an extension of time to file.

After your extension has been processed, ExpressExtension will even send you an email letting you know whether your form was accepted or rejected. If you paper file an extension, it’s not the IRS’s policy to notify you whether or not they accepted it: best case scenario, it gets accepted, and everything proceeds as normal. On the other hand, if it gets rejected and you assumed it wouldn’t be, you’re looking at a lot of late filing penalties. So use ExpressExtension. I know we’re a little biased, but wouldn’t you rather be 100% sure of your extension’s acceptance? Plus, if it does get rejected, you can correct and retransmit your form absolutely free!

We’ll be back with your regularly scheduled 1099/W-2/ACA blogs on Wednesday, and if you have any questions in the meantime, just give us a shout! The ExpressIRSForms team is available (and can answer your extension questions as well!) to assist you live Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. EST by phone (704-839-2270) and live chat. We’re also available - although a little less “instant” - 24/7 at support@expressirsforms.com.

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E-filing 1099s for Your Independent Contractors

Did you know that by the year 2020, nearly half of America’s workforce (40%) will be made up of independent contractors? And if you look at the ExpressIRSForms numbers, that’s no surprise: a majority of the forms we process and transmit to the IRS are 1099s (the independent contractor version of a W-2 form). But whether someone is considered an independent contractor or an employee in the eyes of the IRS isn’t always as black and white as it may sound. So sit back and take a listen to what makes your contractors so independent that you have to file a Form 1099.

Independent Contractors: What are They?
There are three categories the IRS looks at when considering whether or not the person you’re filing for is an independent contractor:

• Behavioral: Do you control how, when, and where this person works?
• Financial: Do you provide necessary tools, reimburse expenses, or pay a salary to this worker?
• Relationship: Is this worker essential to daily operations of your business?

If your answers are mostly “yes” to these questions for a certain worker, the IRS considers that worker to be an employee, not an independent contractor. Typically, you’ll establish the status of your worker when you hire him/her, but these questions are good to keep in mind during filing time.

Still Not 1099% Sure?
If you need further classification on the differences between independent contractors and employees, you may need to consult with a tax or legal professional. The IRS also offers Form SS-8, which you can send to the IRS and, within six months, they’ll return it with the classification of your worker(s).

Misclassifying Workers
It’s important to make sure you know the status of your worker before you file anything for him/her, because the IRS isn’t too lenient when it comes to misclassifications. If you classify an independent contractor as an employee (or vice versa), you become liable for any:

• unpaid Federal, State, and Local Income Tax,
• Social Security & Medicare contributions,
• unpaid Workers’ Compensation, and
• Unemployment Insurance Premiums.

Additionally, beginning with the 2015 tax year, anyone with 50 or more employees who misclassified those employees will be assessed an additional penalty of $2,000 per employee.

E-filing Form 1099
So you’ve determined your workers are independent contractors, and you need to file a Form 1099-MISC (the miscellaneous revenue 1099 form) to report their wages. Now, all you need to do is e-file them with ExpressIRSForms, the most user-friendly IRS-authorized e-filing program around! Just log into your free account, select the big, orange Start New Form button, and the program takes you through the steps of quickly and easily transmitting your 1099 forms directly to the IRS.

Uhh...Whoops?
If you realize you filed a W-2 when you should have filed a 1099, then it’s time to act. If it hasn't been long since you hit the Transmit button, click the Correction button next to the incorrect form, and our program will be able to recall your form, which will then show as Unsubmitted on your Dashboard. You can then delete that form and file the correct 1099. If your form was already submitted to the Social Security Administration (SSA), you’ll need to contact the W-2 hotline for cancelations, 1-800-772-6270, and they can direct you on how to proceed.

If you filed a 1099 when you should have filed a W-2, you can try to recall your form like in the example above. If your form has already been sent to the IRS, you can e-file a 1099 correction to void the 1099 before e-filing the correct W-2 form.

The Customer Support Spiel
If you have any questions about e-filing, or employee/independent contractor classifications, you can get in touch with our friendly, US-based customer support team. We’re available by phone (704-839-2270) and live chat (www.expressirsforms.com) Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST. You can also send us an email anytime at support@expressirsforms.com.

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Miss the Paper Filing Deadline?

As many of our regular readers should know (we’ve only been posting about it all month), the paper filing deadline form 1099 and W-2 forms was this past Monday, February 29. For e-filers, it was just another Monday. But for scrambling, procrastinating paper filers, it was a Monday for the books.

Unfortunately, when it comes to leaving tasks until the last minute, other things tend to get in the way. And a lot of the time, only the very best of task-jugglers can pull off multiple last minute to-dos right before their deadlines. So what to do if you missed the paper filing deadline this past Monday?

First of all, don’t fret. If you’re not opposed to e-filing, just think of this as missing the practice test (that doesn’t count towards your grade) before the real exam. Sure, it might have helped to have gotten it done, but you’ve still got another chance to provide the information you have to the IRS.

If you decide to e-file instead of sending in your paper forms late, you don’t have to notify the IRS. All you have to do is e-file your forms by March 31, 2016. See? There're an extra 29 days to file without having to do anything at all! And you were going to start fretting.

BUT - and this is an MC Hammer sized “but” - if you’re staunchly against e-filing, you’ll need to complete and send in your paper forms AS SOON AS POSSIBLE because the IRS penalties have already begun.

You see, the IRS fines you for late forms based on when the forms are eventually, correctly, filed. If you get your forms filed within the first 30 days after your deadline (so, by March 29), you’ll only owe $50 per form. If you miss the 30-day deadline but file before August, your penalty goes up to $100 per form. And if you don’t file until after August 1 (or not at all), the IRS can charge you up to $260 per form. The maximum amount you can be fined by the IRS for late filing is $3,193,000 per year ($1,064,000 for small businesses).

Other than e-filing or paper filing as soon as possible, there’s not much else you can do to fix the fact that you’re filing late. There is, however, a small loophole in this whole late-filing-penalty-incurring process. Straight from the horse’s mouth (a.k.a. the IRS website):

“The penalty will not apply to any failure that you can show was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect...you must be able to show that your failure was due to an event beyond your control...You also must be able to show that you acted in a responsible manner and took steps to avoid the failure.”

In other words, get that excuse ready - and try to be a little more creative than just blaming the dog - because it could be the difference between paying $50 to $260 per form and paying $0 per form.

If you need help getting started e-filing, or have any questions about the tax filing deadlines, feel free to get in touch with ExpressIRSForms’s customer support team in Rock Hill, South Carolina. We offer support by phone, chat, and email, in English or Spanish, and we’re always happy to help!

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The 1099/W-2 Paper Filing Deadline is Coming Up

All right e-filers, it’s your turn to take the back seat on this one: our blog today contains information for the paper filers. True, ExpressIRSForms is an IRS-authorized e-file service provider, but we like to help all filers - big and small, young and old, paper and electronic - as best we can.

So, paper filers, now that we have your attention, it’s time to buckle down. You only have one week left to file your 1099 and W-2 forms with the IRS. Keep in mind you’ll need to include with your filing a transmittal form, either Form 1096 (with 1099s) or a W-3 Form 9 (with W-2s). If you have different types of Form 1099 to file (ex. 45 1099-MISC forms and 10 1099-INT forms), you’ll need a separate Form 1096 for each type of form.

And we don’t just have federal filing to think of here. You’ll need to know your state requirements. Most states’ paper filing deadlines are the same as the IRS, but some have already passed. And almost every state has a transmittal form or reconciliation requirement form that needs to be filed with your 1099s and W-2s. For more information about filing in your particular state, check out our 1099 and W-2 state filing pages, or contact your state Department of Revenue.

Now, sending your forms in is a little more in depth than just writing, “To The IRS, From Me,” on your envelope. You’ll need to send your forms to the appropriate IRS department, based on which form you’re filing and the state in which your principal business is done. W-2 filers in any state, you’ll send Copy A of Form W-2 with Form W-3 to:

Social Security Administration
Data Operations Center
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18769-0001

Form 1099 filers in AL, AZ, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, ME, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, TX, VT, VA, or WV (or if you’re outside the US) need to mail their forms and Form 1096 to:

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service Center
Austin, TX 73301

Form 1099 filers in AK, CA, CO, D.C., HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, ND, OK, OR, SC, SD, TN, UT, WA, WI, or WY mail their forms to:

Department of the Treasury

Internal Revenue Service Center
Kansas City, MO 64999

If you’re a little behind, and this seems like a lot to take on in a week, you might want to consider e-filing. There’s no need to alert the IRS you’ll be e-filing instead of paper filing this year; and when you e-file, you automatically get an extra month to file (the e-filing deadline is March 31st). Plus, when you e-file, there’s no need to worry about those pesky 1096 or W-3 forms (although we will generate one for your records when you e-file).

And as always, if you need help filing your 1099s or W-2s (or ACA forms or W-9s), you can reach out to the fabulous ExpressIRSForms support team. Our phone (704-839-2270) and live chat hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, and we offer 24/7 email support at support@expressirsforms.com.

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E-filing is Open for 1099 Filers

If you’ve already been around the ExpressIRSForms block this year with recipient filing, then you know that the 1099s are ready to be e-filed. But if this is your first time joining us, you should know that the 1099s are ready to be e-filed! So now that we’re past that quick taste of déjà vu let’s get to know a little more about the 1099 Forms that are available to be e-filed through ExpressIRSForms.

Form 1099-MISC
Ahh, one of the classics. Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, is filed each year if you paid someone at least $10 in royalties or broker payments or at least $600 in:

• rents,
• services done by a non-employee,
• prizes/awards,
• other income payments,
• medical/health care payments,
• crop insurance proceeds,
• cash payments for fish,
• cash paid from a notional principal contract,
• attorney payments, or
• any fishing boat proceeds.

Needless to say, a majority of the e-filing orders we get are for the 1099-MISC. It’s the most common of the 1099s, and one to keep in mind if you make any payments to independent contractors, attorneys, or fishermen.

Form 1099-INT
Our next form is intriguing, to say the least: Form 1099-INT, Interest Income. This form is filed each year for every recipient of at least $10 in interest income you have. Keep in mind that Form 1099-INT is for tax-exempt interest reporting only; any interest you need to report that is taxable needs to be reported on Form 1099-OID.

Form 1099-DIV
Coming in at number three is Form 1099-DIV, Dividends and Distributions. This form can be a bit tricky, and it’s filed by banks and other financial institutions for their investors. A Form 1099-DIV is filed for each investor:

• who was paid $10 or more in dividends and other distributions on stock,
• who was paid at least $600 as part of a liquidation,
• “for whom you have withheld and paid any foreign tax on dividends and other distributions of stock,”
• “for whom you have withheld any federal income tax on dividends under the backup withholding rules.”

Form 1099-R
New to ExpressIRSForms this year is Form 1099-R, *deep breath* Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement, or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc. Form 1099-R reports various distributions over $10 of retirement benefits, like any of the ones listed in it’s long, long name.

Keep in mind that for your 2015 1099 forms, recipient copies were due February 1, paper forms are due February 29, and e-filed forms are due March 31. And if you have more than 250 of any one 1099 Form to file, you’re required by the IRS to e-file those forms.

If you have questions about the 1099 Forms or e-filing them with ExpressIRSForms, just get in touch with our friendly customer support team. We’re available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, by phone (704-839-2270) and live chat. We also offer 24/7 email support at support@expressirsforms.com.

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Paper Filing vs. E-filing with ExpressIRSForms

February is a lull of a month for the 1099 and W-2 e-filers. With the recipient deadline behind us, and the IRS e-filing deadline not until March 31, it’s not unusual for e-filers to put their IRS reporting on the backburner. But if you plan to paper file, don’t switch out pans just yet.

The paper filing IRS deadline for 1099s and W-2s is February 29, 2016. That means you have 26 days to fill out all of those little boxes on your paper forms, then print, stamp, and mail them to the IRS. But before you waste all that paper in the name of “that’s how we’ve always done it,” consider your alternative: e-filing.

E-filers Get an Extra Month to File
If you e-file your 1099s or W-2s, your deadline to file with the IRS isn’t until March 31. Whereas if you paper file, your forms need to be into the IRS by the last day of February (since this year’s a leap year, that’s the 29th). You’d think it would be the other way around since paper filing takes more time, but since there’s more to be done on the IRS’s end to process paper forms, they require them a month earlier. Which brings me to my next point…

Paper Filing Takes More Time
Your time is important. And while you understand the importance of reporting your 1099s and W-2s to the IRS, that doesn’t mean you should have to spend a lot of time on it. When you paper file, you have to take the time to gather your information, print all the forms you’ll need, fill out those forms perfectly (otherwise you’ll get a fine), package them up and stamp them, then send them through the mail. And heaven forbid you make an error: you’ll have to wait on your mailed notice from the IRS, then fill out more forms to correct it, starting the process all over again.

When you e-file with a site like ExpressIRSForms, there’s nothing to print, stamp, or mail. You just sign in, create a new form, enter in your information, then hit transmit. You’ll get email confirmations when you transmit, when the IRS receives your form(s), and when they’re processed and accepted or rejected. And if you need to make any corrections, you just log into your account, find the form, correct it, and retransmit for free. Sounds much easier, doesn’t it?

E-filing Leaves Less Room for Error
Based on research the IRS has done, just less than 1% of e-filers make the common errors that result in penalties that 25% of paper filers make. If you paper file, your best bets for having someone double check your forms before you file are: taking your forms to a CPA (and paying their fee), taking your forms to a local IRS office (and waiting in line), or having your coworker who took an upper level accounting class in college look them over (and probably still making the same mistakes). With ExpressIRSForms, your forms go through a series of error checks before you transmit to make sure you file everything correctly the first time around.

Paper Filers May Have to E-file Anyway
Like it or not, if you have 250 or more of either the 1099 or W-2 forms to file, the IRS requires you e-file them. This is just as much for your convenience as it is theirs. I mean, have you ever tried to fill out over 250 forms? Stubbornness won’t pay out here either: if you paper file more than 250 of one form, the IRS will fine you for it.

ExpressIRSForms E-filers Get the Best Support Team in the Nation
Here all year long instead of just during tax season, the ExpressIRSForms support team is happy to answer any of your 1099, W-2, ACA, and W-9 e-filing questions. Located in Rock Hill, South Carolina, we offer support in English and Spanish, by phone, live chat, or email. You can send us a live chat or give us a call (704-839-2270) Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, or send us an email 24/7 at support@expressirsforms.com.

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One Month Down, Two to Go!

Welcome, ExpressIRSFormssIRSForms users! This is the last January blog we have time for now that the first month of the 2015 filing season is drawing to a close. So what does that mean for the typical 1099, W-2, or ACA form filer?

For the Rest of January
Before January is completely behind us, make sure you’ve sent out your recipient forms for your 1099s and W-2s. The deadline to have these forms to your recipients is next Monday, February 1 (since January 31 is a Sunday). It’s a common misconception that your recipient forms only have to be postmarked by the deadline. But according to the IRS’s rules and regulations, you can be fined any time after the January 31 deadline (or, in this case, February 1) if a payee reports that they haven’t received their forms.

That’s why we’re recommending sending out your recipient forms by tomorrow or Friday (if you’re mailing them) to ensure they receive them by Monday.

Coming Up In February
During the month of February, there’s not much to do unless you’re either a) paper filing or b) getting a jump start on other forms due in March.

If you’re paper filing, you’ll need to have your 1099s and W-2s prepared and sent to the IRS by February 29, 2016. Remember if you have more than 250 of either form, however, that the IRS requires you e-file.

Looking Ahead to March
March 31, 2016 is the e-filing deadline for 2015 tax year 1099s and W-2s. March 31, 2016 is also the recipient deadline for 2015 ACA forms 1095-B and 1095-C. Normally, this deadline will be the same as the 1099 and W-2 recipient deadline, so don’t forget to send those out all at the same time next year.

Another deadline to keep in mind in March that you might not have been aware of is the March 15, 2016 Business Extension Form deadline. Form 7004 can be filed through our sister program, ExpressExtension, by businesses for a 5-6 month extension of time to file their tax returns. This is not an extension of time to pay any taxes owed, but it can get you a little more time to get everything in order to file.

If you need any help over the next two months, we’re here for you! Well, we’re here for you all year long, but we’re especially here for you during tax season. Just give us a call (704-839-2270) or send us a live chat Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. Or you can send us an email anytime at support@expressirsforms.com!

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The 1099 & W-2 Recipient Deadline is Just A Week Away

In the modified words of the late, great Robin Williams: Gooooood morning ExpressIRSFooorms!

Do you know what today is? Other than a Monday, of course. Today marks the start of the last week left to get your 1099s and W-2s to your recipients. The last day to have your recipient copies to your employees or payees is next Monday, February 1st.

The deadline is normally January 31st, but since that’s a Sunday, the deadline gets extended to the next business day.

It’s a common misconception that these forms need to be postmarked by the last day in January when they need to be in the hands of your recipients by that day. It’s important that you get the 1099s and W-2s to your recipients so they can accurately complete their 2015 tax returns by their deadline. If you don’t get your copies to your recipients by February 1st, you can be reported to the IRS and face steep penalties for every form not delivered.

There’s still time to e-file with ExpressIRSForms and have your forms sent to your recipients by our dedicated team. Just log in and file your forms, and from the checkout screen select the Postal Mailing option. But be sure to get your filings in soon: the postal system only works so quickly!

While you’re filing your 1099s and W-2s, why not get started on your ACA forms if you need to file those too? After this year, the recipient copies of Forms 1095-B and 1095-C will be due at the same time as the 1099s and W-2s, so it couldn’t hurt to practice getting them out there sooner rather than later.

If you have questions or need help in the e-filing process, just reach out to our friendly, US-based support team! We’re available by phone (704-839-2270) and live chat Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. We’re also available to take your questions 24/7 at support@expressirsforms.com.

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