1099-MISC vs 1099-NEC: Difference, 2025 Deadlines & Rules Explaine By booksMerge
Written by BooksMerge | Published: November 13, 2025

Every year, as tax season approaches, the stress and responsibility of businesses increase. Form 1099-NEC and Form 1099-MISC are both important IRS tax forms taht come under the 1099 Form which is used to report payments made to non-employees. It may include the payments given to freelancers, contractors, etc. But, sometimes taxpayers get confused whether to file the 1099-MISC vs 1099-NEC form. So, filing the correct taxation form to the IRS at the right time is important to prevent penalties.

In this post, we have explained the complete details of what the Form 1099-NEC and Form 1099-MISC are and when to file them. Also, we have described the tax penalties you need to pay for missing the deadlines. So, let’s read this post and get a smooth tax filing journey.

What Is Form 1099-NEC?

The businesses require Form 1099-NEC for reporting the payments made of at least $600 or more to a non-employee. It may include independent contractors, vendors, freelancers, consultants, or self-employed individuals. However, as per the guidelines given by the IRS, the businesses must report the payments on Form 1099-NEC if they fulfill the following conditions.

  • Payment is made to a person who isn’t your employee

  • The payment is made for those services in the form of trade or business.

  • Any payment made to an individual, estate, partnership, or corporation.

  • If the payments are made to the non-employee, which totals around $600 or more within the calendar year.

Moreover, it is necessary for businesses that the Form 1099-NEC must be filed for each person for whom tax is withheld. However, for reporting the form, the non-employee compensation may comprise commissions, prizes, awards, and other forms of compensation for services done by non-employees.

What Is Form 1099-MISC?

The Form 1099-MISC is basically used by the payers for reporting specific types of payments made for miscellaneous income. Moreover, this form is used to report the following payments made throughout the year.

  • If you have made a payment of at least $10 in royalties or broker payments in the form of dividends or tax-exempt interest.

  • At least $600 in

    • Rents are paid except when you pay a real estate agent or property manager.

    • Prizes and Rewards

    • Payments to an attorney

    • Crop Insurance proceeds

    • Section 409A deferrals

    • Non-qualified deferrals

    • Other income payments

    • Any fishing boat proceeds

    • Medical and health care payments

    • Usually, the cash is paid from a national principal contract to an individual, partnership, or estate.

Furthermore, it is essential for businesses to file the Form 1099-MISC for every person from whom they have withheld any federal income tax under the backup withholding rules associated with the amount of payment.

What is the Difference Between Form 1099 MISC and 1099-NEC?

Herein, we have illustrated the complete table explaining the difference between Form 1099 MISC and 1099-NEC.

Feature

Form 1099-NEC

Form 1099-MISC

1. Definition

The IRS tax form is used to report the miscellaneous income.

This IRS tax form is used for reporting the non-employee compensation.

2. Filing Deadline

You must file this form till 31st January (both paper as well as electronic filing).

You must file the 1099-MISC form till February 28th if you are doing paper filing. For the electronic filing the due date is 31st January.

3. Who need to file it?

This form is to be filed by the contractor who paid above $600 in a tax year.

Whereas, this form is to be paid by an individual or LLC who paid at least $600 during the rent paid.

4. Who can report this form?

The Form 1099-NEC is used fro reporting the non-employee compensation.

The Form 1099-MISC is used for reporting specific types of payments beside the wages.

5. Key Payments Reported

You can report the following payments using this form.

  • Fees and commissions

  • Payments for professional services

  • Contractor/freelancer compensation.

You can report the following payments with this form.

  • Rents

  • Royalties

  • Prizes and Rewards

  • Medical and Health Care Payments

  • Payments to an attorney

  • Crop insurance proceeds

6. IRS penalties for Late filing

The taxpayer has to pay $60 to $340 per form and maximum up to the ($4,098,500) and ($1,366,000) for the small businesses.

Herein, the taxpayer has to pay $60 to $340 per form and maximum up to $4,098,500. Moreover, you have to pay ($1,366,000 for small businesses).

How to File the Form 1099-NEC Easily?

Perform the following step-by-step instructions to file the Form 1099-NEC.

1. Obtain the Necessary Details-

For filing out the Form 1099-NEC, all you require is a recipient W-9 copy. Herein, the W-9 form provides you with the information you need to fill out the 1099 form. Following are the details that is required by the recipient.

  • Name

  • Business entity or relationship (freelancer, proprietor, contractor, business, etc.)

  • Address

  • TIN (SSN, EIN, etc.)

2. Complete the Form 1099-NEC

For filling out the Form 1099-NEC, insert the business as well the recipient information. Moreover, you also have to enter how much you have paid to the non-employee and how much tax is withheld. Following are the details that you must provide in the 1099-NEC form.

  • Payer name or business

  • Payer’s tax information

  • Recipient’s name or business name

  • Recipient’s address

  • Account number (if applicable)

  • Non-employee compensation

  • State withholdings (if applicable)

  • Federal withholdings (if applicable)

3. Send 1099-NEC

You can either send the Form 1099-NEC with a scannable template to the IRS electronically. All you require is to submit two copies of the 1099-NEC that comprises of:

  • Copy A– This copy must be send to the IRS.

  • Copy B- This copy is to be send to your contractor or freelancer.

Make sure to keep the copy for your records and then file them timely to prevent the penalties.

Afterwards, according to the your region where you stay, you have to file the form 1099-NEC with the state.

Deadlines For the Filing of IRS 1099-NEC Form

It is essential to send all the copies of the Form 1099-NEC till January 31st of each year for non-employee payments done the previous year.

1099-NEC Penalties on Late Filings

In case you miss out the deadline of filing the 1099-NEC form, you need to pay the penalty which varies from $50 to $270 per form. The amount to pay for the penalty may vary how late you submit the form.

Furthermore, if you want some extra time for filing 1099-NEC form, you need to request a filing extension by submitting paper Form 8809. It’s to be filed by January 31st with the IRS. However, you can mail the Form 8809, but it can’t be filed online.

How to File the Form 1099-MISC easily?

The procedure to file the Form 1099-MISC is quite similar to that of Form 1099-NEC. But, there is some different sections that you must complete for filing the form.

1. Collect the Necessary Details-

Similar to the Form 1099-NEC, you must obtain the details regarding the recipient’s and payment details. Also, it is essential to obtain a W-9 form from the recipient receiving income. Herein, the W-9 form is used to verify the recipient’s identity and collect the TIN. Besides this, you also need to keep track of your miscellaneous payment details.

2. Complete the Form 1099-MISC-

You must complete the Form 1099-MISC form, you must enter your details, your recipient’s information and necessary payment details. Then, you must insert the following information in the boxes.

  • Rents

  • Royalties

  • Federal income tax withheld

  • The fishing boat proceeds

  • Medical and health care payments

  • Direct sales totalling $5,000 or more of consumer products to recipient for resale

  • Substitute payments in placement of dividends or interest

  • Crop insurance proceeds

  • Gross proceeds paid to an attorney

  • Fish purchased for resale

  • Excess golden parachute payments

  • Non-qualified deferred compensation

  • State tax withheld

3. Send the Form 1099-MISC

After this, you must send the Form 1099-MISC with two copies of Form 1099-MISC electronically or physically.

  • Copy A. This copy goes to the IRS.

  • Copy B. This copy goes to the recipient.

Herein, make sure that you keep the copies of the records and then send the Form 1099-MISC to prevent the penalties.

Deadline For Filing 1099-MISC

The deadline for filing the 1099-MISC form by February 28th if you are filing via mail. For mailing the Form 1099-MISC electronically, file it by March 31st.

1099-MISC Penalties For Late Filing

It is necessary to file the Form 1099-MISC appropriately to prevent heavy tax penalities. In order to request for additional time, mail a paper Form 8809 to the IRS by January 31st.

Conclusion

Through this blog, we hope that now you have understood the basic difference between 1099 MISC VS 1099 NEC. Moreover, it also help you file the taxes on time to prevent the businesses from paying heavy tax penalities.

In case you still require any additional help to file these forms, then you can communicate with our BooksMerge professionals. They will provide you with the best possible assistance to provide you with the stress-free tax filing experience.

FAQ's

The single-member LLC and partnerships usually receive 1099 forms for payments beyond $600. However, you must check your LLC tax status and use the Form 1099-NEC for the services and 1099-MISC for the rent and royalties.

In case you have filed a Form 1099-MISC instead of 1099-NEC, it’s necessary to file a correct 1099-NEC asap to prevent the penalties or fines from the IRS.

You need to report 1099-MISC or 1099-NEC forms only when you have done the payments in the course of any trade or business.

The Self-Employed workers are taxed at 15.3% of 92.35% of the net profit. Herein, this 15.3% is a combination of Social Security (12.4%) and Medicare (2.9%) which is known as FICA taxes.

If you don’t receive a 1099-MISC form, then you are responsible for reporting your income and expenses on your tax return.

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