Get IRS 1096

In the event that your business has made payments to a vendor or independent contractor, you will probably need to file either Form 1099-NEC, Form 1099-MISC or both. Additionally, if you are filing these forms on paper instead of electronically, you will also need to file IRS Form 1096.

Group the forms by form number and transmit each group with a separate Form 1096. For example, if you must file both Forms 1098 and 1099-A, complete one Form 1096 to transmit your Forms 1098 and another Form 1096 to transmit your Forms 1099-A. You need not submit original and corrected returns separately.

Keep in mind IRS Form 1096 is only necessary for the mail transmittal of U.S. information returns; if you plan to go the e-file route and file your information returns electronically, you don't need to worry about attaching Form 1096.

To order official IRS information returns, which include a scannable Form 1096 for filing with the IRS, visit .IRS.gov/orderforms. Click on Employer and Information Returns, and we'll mail you the forms you request and their instructions, as well as any publications you may order.

Who is responsible for submitting a 1096 form? It is the employer or payer's responsibility to submit the 1096 form when submitting relevant forms to the IRS by mail-in paper form. Employees and contractors do not need Form 1096 when submitting their taxes.

Use Form 1096 to transmit paper Forms 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, 5498, and W-2G to the Internal Revenue Service. Do not use this form to transmit electronically.

Form 1096 is also used to summarize other returns, like Forms 1099-DIV and 1099-INT. You must complete a separate Form 1096 for each kind of return you file. For example, if you need to give a Form 1099-MISC to 20 people and a Form 1099-DIV to one person, you must prepare two separate Forms 1096 to send to the IRS.

If you file more than one type of information return on paper -- for example, 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC, 1099-K, etc. -- you must prepare a separate Form 1096 for each type of information return.