Where to get tax forms NOW? - Virtual Assistant Forums

AnnaLisa Michalski · #1 (**permalink**) 03-11-2010

Hi all,

This may sound like a ridiculous question, but heck, you all are forgiving. I'm irritated and sick and can't even think how to Google for this answer.

I have a client who still hasn't delivered the 1099 I've been requesting since January. I NEED to get my paperwork to my account and can't wait for Miss Client any longer, so I'm going to do it myself.

Not so fast...my local library never received 1099s this year--every other form imaginable, but no 1099s. My local post office tells me it hasn't received tax forms at all in five years. IRS Web site warns users not to download the 1099 directly from the site but instead to order it, or risk a $50 penalty. But I can't wait another week for the mail. Who else, locally, might have 1099s readily available?

The Office Virtuoso · #2 (**permalink**) 03-11-2010

Are you trying to make a 1099 for yourself? Do you use an EIN? Because I didn't get one from one of my clients and they said that I used my EIN instead of my SS#, so they don't have to provide a 1099.

If you still want to make a 1099 for yourself - Is there an accountant or a tax preparer in your area that could help you out?

Good luck!

ChristinaVOS · #3 (**permalink**) 03-11-2010

You can usually get tax forms from the local Staples or Office Max store- You have to buy several but in a pinch it might be your only choice. Also, if you don't get a 1099 you only have to provide the client info and the amount you were paid for the year to your acct- not having a 1099 from them only looks bad on them.
I don't get 1099's from most of my clients but I keep precise records so I know I am being legit.

Business-Bytes · #4 (**permalink**) 03-11-2010

As was already said, you don't need a 1099 to provide to your accountant to claim the income. Just give him the amount.

Also, when a 1099 is filed there is also an accompanying 1096 summary form that must be filed (and signed by person required to file it) with the IRS. By you filling out a 1099, that could lead to problems with the person that should have filled out 1099's and 1096 to begin with.

The reason for the $50 fine is because the forms are printed using special red ink that can be scanned. The fine is per form.

FWIW, you can get 1099/1096 at office supply stores, but I wouldn't go that route in your case. Just give your accountant the dollar amount.

AnnaLisa Michalski · #5 (**permalink**) 03-11-2010

Thanks, everyone! I knew I could depend on you all. I love this forum.

There's no tax preparer within a with-kids drive of my house, so if I can manage to get the crew in shoes today, I'll take your advice and try my Office Max. Thanks!

Christina: Thanks for that confirmation. After what we read (and attempted to interpret) on the IRS site, my husband suspected a missing form wouldn't affect me, just her. I guess I've done my part and won't stress too much if I can't get the form today. I'll just send everything to the accountant without.

Jules: IMO, that's the client's problem if she doesn't get the 1096 done also. Call me evil.

I did everything I could think of to get her and her accountant to do it.

Kathy: I've heard the EIN/SSN argument before, and I don't believe it. My understanding is, if the vendor is a sole prop or LLC, 1099s are still required. Only vendors who are taxed separately (i.e., corporations) don't require them. Again--I don't know that for certain, but that's my understanding. I guess I'd just rather know for sure that I've covered the bases. Know what I mean?

You all are priceless. I feel a lot better now. Thanks again!

Now I can turn off my computer and take what was supposed to be my day off for REAL!

Office Goddess · #6 (**permalink**) 03-11-2010

I agree with Jules that you don't need to have a 1099. You DO need to have accurate records of your income and expenses, however. Keep in mind that you only receive 1099s for income over $600 from any given client. Therefore, you wouldn't get a 1099 from some of your clients anyway.

I WOULD NOT fill out a 1099 for yourself on the other party's behalf as you could be opening up a can of worms and it is not your responsibility to issue it.

Business-Bytes · #7 (**permalink**) 03-11-2010

Originally Posted by Office Goddess

I WOULD NOT fill out a 1099 for yourself on the other party's behalf as you could be opening up a can of worms and it is not your responsibility to issue it.

You hit the nail on the head, and that was my point, Lily.

Quote:

Jules: IMO, that's the client's problem if she doesn't get the 1096 done also. Call me evil. I did everything I could think of to get her and her accountant to do it.

Even though a 1099 isn't attached to your return, who it is received from is recorded when your tax return is completed. You could get in trouble with the IRS if records indicate you received the 1099 from "client" and they notify "client" that they don't have a 1096 on record. "Oops - I filled out the 1099 myself" isn't gonna fly with the IRS.

I'll reiterate what Lily (and I) said: I would NOT fill out a 1099 for yourself.

AnnaLisa Michalski · #8 (**permalink**) 03-12-2010

Oh, she definitely needed a 1099. Her job wasn't much over the threshold, but it was enough ($665). Actually, I was surprised when I looked at my 2009 results. Other years I've had mostly one-off jobs, but this past year, I've turned down some of those and had mostly long-term, ongoing, or large projects instead. I actually had three clients who required 1099s--highest number ever for me.

Oh, HECK NO! I wouldn't even THINK of filing her 1099 for her. I was just interested in filling in the Copy B/recipient portion that she should have mailed to me so I could include it in my own paperwork. The "real" Copy A part would have been mailed back to her to complete and file herself. (Or lose, or throw away, or whatever. Not my concern.)

As it turns out, though, my whole household has been feeling kind of icky and not quite right these past couple days--teetering on catching some virus or other, I guess. Anyhow, the kids and I were moving pretty slowly and never got around to running out to Office Max. But after seeing your responses here, I felt a lot better about this NOT being my problem and didn't worry about it. I just mailed the rest of my paperwork, which was already complete, off to my accountant, then emailed the client and her accountant a heads-up that, sorry, I couldn't wait any longer and had submitted my things without the recipient copy of the 1099.

All's well that ends well (for me anyway). Thanks again for all your responses.

vrsi-office · #9 (**permalink**) 03-13-2010

I agree with the above posts, you do not need a 1099, just an accurate accounting of the amount paid to this client. This is all your accountant (or TurboTax) needs to process your taxes.

If you do want a 1099 created, or for future reference, you could use E-File Magic. E-File Magic specializes in printing, mailing, and electronically filing business and corporate IRS forms. They support forms 1098, 1099, 5498, and W-2G.

Also, your local OfficeMax or Staples carries paper fillable copies of 1099's and other tax forms.

Hope this helps,

Julie

Business-Bytes · #10 (**permalink**) 03-14-2010

Originally Posted by vrsi-office

If you do want a 1099 created, or for future reference, you could use E-File Magic. E-File Magic specializes in printing, mailing, and electronically filing business and corporate IRS forms. They support forms 1098, 1099, 5498, and W-2G.

Also, your local OfficeMax or Staples carries paper fillable copies of 1099's and other tax forms.

Hope this helps,

Julie

I highlighted in red the part that might be confusing...

To make this clear if it's not to others, both of your suggestions would be used by a business that paid a VA (or VAs) for services and needs to process the 1099s and 1096, not for the VA to process his/herself. They would receive a 1099 from said business that used VA services to use when filing their VA business tax returns.

That being said, if a VA hires subcontractor VAs, then they could use your suggestions to send a 1099 to them if the dollar amount met the criteria.

Under no circumstances should a VA do their own 1099 for another business that hired them and used the VA's services. Just report the income without one.

Can you tell that I am in the midst of tax season?

I'm praying that April 15 gets here soon!

vrsi-office · #11 (**permalink**) 03-14-2010

Jules,

I COMPLETELY agree. A VA (or any other individual or business) should NEVER "create" a 1099 for themselves from a client.

The tip I gave was for AnnaLisa to give to her client or for her to use to help her client in submitting a 1099-MISC.

I apologies for any confusion.

Julie

Business-Bytes · #12 (**permalink**) 03-14-2010

Originally Posted by vrsi-office

Jules,

I COMPLETELY agree. A VA (or any other individual or business) should NEVER "create" a 1099 for themselves from a client.

The tip I gave was for AnnaLisa to give to her client or for her to use to help her client in submitting a 1099-MISC.

I apologies for any confusion.

Julie

I knew that was what you meant but just felt it could have been misinterpreted by others.

For those that have to process 1099s/1096, most of the popular accounting and bookkeeping software will print the information on the official forms that can be purchased at Office Max or other office supply stores. (Check your software to see what format the forms are in that you might need.)

You can also get forms free from the IRS. Not sure if these are still "pin feed" forms like they were years ago or laser forms (you would think they would be laser by now), but they're free.

Boy, I think I better hit the sack!

TVAlexander · #13 (**permalink**) 04-08-2010

Originally Posted by Business-Bytes

You can also get forms free from the IRS. Not sure if these are still "pin feed" forms like they were years ago or laser forms (you would think they would be laser by now), but they're free.

Boy, I think I better hit the sack!

Last time I checked, which was last year, the forms were still pin-feed, carbon(less)-copy forms. They have to be filled out by hand, unless you're one of the few people who still own a typewriter.

To the OP: If you go to the IRS site, you may be able to find an IRS office that is close enough for you to go to and pick up some forms. You may want to call that office directly before you make the trip to confirm that they have the forms in stock. I've done this on several occasions, but YMMV.