When tax season rolls around, most businesses focus on issuing 1099s—but many overlook a crucial piece of the paperwork puzzle: IRS Form 1096. If you’re filing information returns by paper, skipping this one-page summary form could cost you in penalties and processing delays.
So, what exactly is Form 1096? Who needs to file it? And when is it due? This guide walks you through everything you need to know about IRS Form 1096 to help you avoid common mistakes.
Table of Contents
What is IRS Form 1096?
The Annual Summary and Transmittal of U.S. Information Returns is commonly referred to as IRS Form 1096. The function of the IRS Form 1096 can be compared to a cover sheet that taxpayers must submit to the IRS when they are filing paper copies. Form 1096 acts as a control sheet for paper-filed information returns, allowing the IRS to associate and process multiple submissions from one filer correctly. The IRS mandates it to track, match, and process paper-filed information returns submitted by businesses, financial institutions, and individuals.
Important note: If you e-file your 1099s or other returns, you do not need to file Form 1096.
Why Was IRS Form 1096 Introduced?
Among the millions of 1099s and other forms the IRS has to process each year, handling the volume efficiently needs some sorting effort by the taxpayer. This becomes a necessity when forms are filed by paper, it’s a standardized approach to:
- Summarize the types and count the forms being submitted
- Identify the taxpayer with their tax ID
- Track totals of payments, interests, compensations, etc.
- Organize returns by type for internal sorting and data entry
What is Form 1096 used for? When do I have to file it?
You have to file Form 1096 if:
- You are submitting paper forms to the IRS; Form 1096 is redundant if you are e-filing.
- You are obligated to submit it if you are a business, nonprofit, or an individual who has issued 1099s, 1098s, etc., to recipients.
What is the Key Information Required on Form 1096
- Your name, address, and TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number)
- The total number of forms being submitted
- The type of form being submitted
- Total amount reported in Box 5
What are the Forms that Form 1096 summarizes?
Here’s a breakdown of the common IRS forms that Form 1096 could summarize:
| Form No. | Title | Purpose |
| 1097-BTC | Bond Tax Credit | Reports on tax credit bond information |
| 1098 | Mortgage Interest Statement | Reports of mortgage interest received by lenders |
| 1098-C | Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes | Used by charities to report donations |
| 1098-E | Student Loan Interest Statement | Used by lenders to report interest received |
| 1098-T | Tuition Statement | Reports qualified tuition and related expenses |
| 1099-A | Acquisition or Abandonment of Secured Property | Used by lenders |
| 1099-B | Proceeds from Broker and Barter Exchange Transactions | Report sales of securities |
| 1099-C | Cancellation of Debt | Used when a lender forgives a debt |
| 1099-CAP | Changes in Corporate Control and Capital Structure | Reports shareholder information |
| 1099-DIV | Dividends and Distributions | Reports dividend payments to investors |
| 1099-G | Certain Government Payments | Includes tax refunds, unemployment benefits |
| 1099-INT | Interest Income | Reports of interest over $10 paid to recipients |
| 1099-K | Payment Card and Third Party Network Transactions | Used by platforms like PayPal, Stripe |
| 1099-LTC | Long-Term Care and Accelerated Death Benefits | |
| 1099-MISC | Miscellaneous Income | Rent, prizes, attorney fees, etc. |
| 1099-NEC | Nonemployee Compensation | Reports freelancer/contractor payments |
| 1099-OID | Original Issue Discount | For bonds issued at a discount |
| 1099-PATR | Taxable Distributions from Cooperatives | |
| 1099-Q | Payments from Qualified Education Programs (529 Plans) | |
| 1099-QA | Distributions from ABLE Accounts | |
| 1099-R | Distributions from Retirement Plans, IRAs, etc. | |
| 1099-S | Proceeds from Real Estate Transactions | |
| 1099-SA | Distributions from HSAs, Archer MSAs, or Medicare Advantage MSAs | |
| 3921 | Exercise of Incentive Stock Options | |
| 3922 | Transfer of Stock Acquired Through Employee Stock Purchase Plan | |
| 5498 | IRA Contributions Information | |
| 5498-ESA | Coverdell ESA Contribution Information | |
| 5498-QA | ABLE Account Contributions | |
| 5498-SA | HSA, Archer MSA, or Medicare Advantage MSA Information | |
| W-2G | Certain Gambling Winnings |
It’s important to note that you must file a separate 1096 form for each type of information return you’re submitting.
When is IRS Form 1096 Due for the 2026 Filing Season?
Here are the IRS Form 1096 Due Dates for the 2026 Filing Season
Form 1096 Due Dates
- With 1099‑NEC (nonemployee compensation):
Due by February 2, 2026, as January 31 falls on a Saturday in 2026 - With other common returns (like Form 1098, 1099‑MISC, 1099‑INT, 3921/3922, W‑2G, etc.):
Due by March 2, 2026, for paper filings. E‑filed versions are due by March 31, 2026 - With Forms 5498 series (IRA, HSA, ESA contributions):
Due by June 1, 2026
Mail Form 1096 and the associated returns a few days before the due date to avoid late filing penalties. Remember to use trackable mail (like USPS Certified Mail) when sending paper returns to the IRS.
Why does the IRS require one Form 1096 per Type of Information Return?
When you file paper information returns like 1099s, the IRS aims to reduce confusion and errors during the matching and processing of data. Each type of 1099 serves a specific purpose, so they must be separated. Filing both 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC forms under a single Form 1096 is a common error, and this will lead to an IRS error or a rejection notice.
For instance, if you submit both 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC
Form 1099-NEC is used to report nonemployee compensation, i.e., payments to contractors and freelancers. Whereas 1099-MISC is used for miscellaneous payments like rent, legal fees, royalties, etc., in this scenario, you cannot submit all 15 forms under a single Form 1096.
Each form type gets its own separate 1096.
This helps prevent data discrepancies, avoids process hold-ups, ensures adherence to deadlines, and simplifies IRS processing.
Conclusion
Filing IRS Form 1096 and managing multiple 1099s can be tedious, especially with changing deadlines and evolving IRS rules. That’s where Profitjets can make a difference; Our expert team handles everything from Form 1099 preparation to end-to-end tax compliance. We also provide outsourced bookkeeping and accounting, and tax services to meet all your accounting needs. We have over 15 years of experience and a track record of over 600 satisfied customers who stand testament to our proficiency and accuracy. We take care of your tax and accounting needs so you can focus on growing your business without worrying about costly filing errors.
FAQs on IRS Form 1096
1. Do I need to file IRS Form 1096 if I’m e-filing 1099s?
No. Form 1096 is only required when you’re submitting paper forms to the IRS. If you’re e-filing through the IRS FIRE system or a third-party provider, you can skip it.
2. Can I combine multiple types of 1099s under a single Form 1096?
No. The IRS requires a separate Form 1096 for each type of information return (e.g., one for 1099-NEC and another for 1099-MISC). Mixing form types on one 1096 may result in IRS rejections or penalties.
3. What happens if I file Form 1096 late?
Late filing can lead to penalties starting at $60 per form and increasing based on how late the submission is. These fines apply per 1099 and 1096, so delays can get expensive quickly.
4. How can Profitjets help with Form 1096 and 1099 filings?
Profitjets provides end-to-end compliance support for tax season, including accurate 1099 preparation, Form 1096 filing, TIN matching, and on-time submission. Our experts ensure you’re fully compliant and penalty-free.
