Deadlines
1099-NEC deadline: January 31, the 2027 date, the $2,000 threshold and penalties
When Form 1099-NEC is due to contractors and the IRS, how the weekend rule moves January 31, how it differs from 1099-MISC, the $600 to $2,000 threshold change, IRIS e-filing and the 2026 and 2027 penalty tables.
Prepared by Aldro Accounting · Updated · Sources checked
The quick answer
The IRS requires Form 1099-NEC to be furnished to each recipient and filed with the IRS by January 31, on paper or electronically, and there is no automatic extension. When January 31 falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the due date is the next business day. For payments made in 2026, the form is required for each nonemployee paid at least $2,000 for services in the course of a business, up from $600 for earlier payments.
The January 31 rule
The Instructions for Forms 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC say section 6071(c) requires you to file Form 1099-NEC on or before January 31, using either paper or electronic filing. The same date applies to the payee statements. You are required to furnish the statements and file with the IRS by January 31.
If a due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in the District of Columbia or where the return is filed, the due date is the next business day. For 2026 payments, January 31, 2027 is a Sunday, so the 1099-NEC is due Monday, February 1, 2027.
An e-filed return is on time if it is submitted through IRIS by 11:59 p.m. on the due date. A paper return is on time if it is properly addressed, postmarked and mailed by U.S. mail or an IRS-designated private delivery service on or before the due date.
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| Form | To recipients | To the IRS on paper | To the IRS electronically |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1099-NEC | January 31 | January 31 | January 31 |
| 1099-MISC | January 31 (February 15 if boxes 8 or 10 are used) | February 28 | March 31 |
| 1099-NEC used for $5,000+ direct sales (box 2) | January 31 | January 31 | January 31 |
Who gets a 1099-NEC and the $2,000 threshold
For 2026, you file Form 1099-NEC for each person you paid at least $2,000 in the course of your business for services performed by someone who isn't your employee, including parts and materials, or for payments to an attorney. Both go in box 1a.
The threshold was $600 for payments made before 2026. For payments made after 2026, the IRS points to Publication 1099 for the inflation-adjusted amount.
Some rules don't depend on the amount. You must file a 1099-NEC for anyone you withheld federal income tax from under the backup withholding rules, whatever the payment. Backup withholding is a flat 24%, and it applies when, for example, a payee doesn't give you a taxpayer identification number in the required manner.
Only business payments count. The IRS says to report on Form 1099-MISC or 1099-NEC only payments made in the course of your trade or business, and personal payments are not reportable. Payments made by credit card or payment card, and certain other payments including third-party network transactions, are reported by the payment settlement entity on Form 1099-K instead.
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| Payment | Form and box | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Nonemployee services, attorney fees | 1099-NEC box 1a | $2,000 for 2026 payments ($600 before 2026) |
| Federal income tax withheld under backup withholding | 1099-NEC box 4 | Any amount |
| Direct sales of consumer products for resale | 1099-NEC box 2 or 1099-MISC box 7 | $5,000 or more |
| Royalties | 1099-MISC box 2 | At least $10 |
| Gross proceeds paid to an attorney | 1099-MISC box 10 | At least $600 |
How to file: IRIS, the 10-return rule and paper
Starting with information returns due in 2024, anyone with 10 or more information returns must file them electronically, and that count includes Forms W-2.
Beginning with tax year 2026 and the 2027 filing season, the Information Returns Intake System (IRIS) is the only intake system for information returns. The older FIRE system won't take any submissions after it shuts down at the end of 2026. The IRIS Taxpayer Portal lets you file at no cost by keying in forms or uploading a .csv file. A Transmitter Control Code application is typically processed within 45 business days.
Paper filers send Copy A of each form with Form 1096. Copy A downloaded and printed from IRS.gov isn't scannable, and a penalty may apply for filing forms that can't be scanned.
For 2026 information, use the December 2026 revision of Form 1099-NEC. Its nonemployee compensation box is now 1a, with new boxes for cash tips, the Treasury Tipped Occupation Code and overtime compensation.
Extensions: mostly not for the 1099-NEC
Form 8809 gives an automatic 30-day extension of time to file many information returns, but the IRS says no automatic extension is available for Forms W-2 and 1099-NEC.
Extra time to send recipient statements is a separate request. Form 15397 can be filed no earlier than January 1 and must be received by the date the statements are due. If approved, you generally get up to 30 extra days.
A hardship waiver from e-filing goes on Form 8508, submitted at least 45 days before the returns are due.
Late 1099 penalties for 2026 and 2027
The IRS charges separate penalties for failing to file a correct information return on time and for failing to give correct payee statements on time. So one late 1099-NEC can draw a penalty for the return filed with the IRS and another for the statement sent to the recipient.
A small business, for the annual maximums, is one with average annual gross receipts of $5 million or less for the 3 most recent tax years.
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| How late | Due in 2026 | Due in 2027 | 2027 annual max, small business |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 30 days late | $60 | $60 | $244,500 |
| 31 days late through August 1 | $130 | $130 | $698,500 |
| After August 1 or not filed | $340 | $340 | $1,397,000 |
| Intentional disregard | $680 | $690 | No maximum |
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Worked example
Say a business paid three contractors in 2026: $1,500, $2,400 and $9,000 for services, all by check. Only the $2,400 and $9,000 payments meet the $2,000 threshold for 2026, so it owes two Forms 1099-NEC. If it had paid the $1,500 contractor after withholding backup tax because no TIN was given, that one would need a 1099-NEC too, whatever the amount. January 31, 2027 is a Sunday, so the forms go to the contractors and the IRS by Monday, February 1, 2027. If both returns reach the IRS 20 days late, the filing penalty is 2 × $60 = $120, and late recipient copies can be penalized separately at the same rates.
Common questions
When are 1099s due?
Form 1099-NEC is due to recipients and the IRS by January 31. Form 1099-MISC is due to recipients by January 31 (February 15 for boxes 8 or 10) and to the IRS by February 28 on paper or March 31 electronically.
What is the 1099-NEC deadline in 2027?
January 31 falls on a Sunday in 2027, and the IRS moves weekend due dates to the next business day, so forms for 2026 payments are due Monday, February 1, 2027.
What is the 1099-NEC threshold for 2026?
$2,000 for payments made in 2026. It was $600 for payments made before 2026, and later years are adjusted for inflation.
Can I get an extension for Form 1099-NEC?
Not an automatic one. Form 8809's automatic 30-day extension doesn't apply to Forms W-2 and 1099-NEC. Form 15397 can request up to 30 extra days to furnish recipient copies.
Do I have to e-file my 1099s?
Yes, if you have 10 or more information returns in total, counting Forms W-2. From the 2027 filing season, IRIS is the only IRS e-file system for them.
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Sources
- IRS: Instructions for Forms 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC · checked October 31, 2026
- IRS: Publication 1099, General Instructions for Certain Information Returns · checked October 31, 2026
- IRS: Am I required to file a Form 1099 or other information return? · checked October 31, 2026
- IRS: Information return penalties · checked October 31, 2026
- IRS: Topic 307, Backup withholding · checked October 31, 2026
This guide explains general rules from the sources listed. It isn’t tax advice for your situation.