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How to Download and Print Forms 1099 and 1096

In this article:

Available on: Patriot Accounting (Basic and Premium) and Patriot Payroll (Basic and Premium)
After creating your 1099s in Patriot, you can download and print them to send to contractors and, if you are not e-filing, to the IRS. This article covers your print options and the correct copies to send to each recipient.

Before you print: You must create your 1099 forms first. See “How to Create, File and Post 1099 Forms” for those steps.

Key definitions:

  • Form 1099: An IRS information return used to report payments made to contractors and vendors. Patriot supports Form 1099-NEC (for nonemployee compensation) and Form 1099-MISC (for rent, royalties, and other miscellaneous payments).
  • Form 1096: An IRS summary form that accompanies paper-filed 1099s when mailing to the IRS. It is a transmittal document that lists the total number of 1099s enclosed and the total dollar amounts. YOU DO NOT NEED TO FILE FORM 1096 IF YOU E-FILE YOUR 1099s — Patriot submits it electronically for you.
  • Copy A (red form): The IRS copy of Form 1099. This is a pre-printed red form required when mailing 1099s to the IRS. If you e-file, you do not need to print Copy A.
  • Copy B (black form or blank paper): The contractor copy of Form 1099. You are required to send this to each contractor regardless of whether you e-file.
  • Copy 1 (black form or blank paper): The state copy of Form 1099, filed with the state tax agency if your state requires it.
  • Copy 2 (black form or blank paper): A second contractor copy for the contractor to keep with their state tax return, if your state requires it.
  • E-filing: Patriot can electronically file your 1099s with the IRS (and, through the combined federal/state program, with participating states). If Patriot e-files for you, you do not need to mail Copy A or Form 1096 to the IRS.

Print Options: Formatted Vs Print Friendly 1099 Printing

When you click Download Options for a 1099 form, you have two printing choices:

  • Formatted — Designed to print on IRS-approved perforated 2-up forms (two 1099s per page). The PDF contains one page for every two 1099s. Use this option if you purchased pre-printed 1099 forms.
  • Print Friendly — Prints one 1099 per page on plain blank paper. Use this option if you do not have pre-printed forms and are printing Copy B for your contractors.

How to Download Forms 1099 and 1096

  1. After downloading your 1099s, you will see download options for Form 1099-MISC and/or Form 1099-NEC, depending on the payment types you recorded.
  2. Click Download Options for the form you want to print.
  3. Choose Formatted or Print Friendly based on your paper type (see above).
  4. Print each copy type in the correct order:
  • Step 1 — Print Copy A (IRS copy): Load IRS-approved 1099 Copy A forms (red pre-printed forms) in your printer, then print.
    • SKIP THIS STEP if Patriot is e-filing your 1099s — Patriot sends Copy A electronically.
  • Step 2 — Print Copy 1 (state copy): Load the same number of Copy 1 forms (black pre-printed forms or blank paper if using Print Friendly) in your printer and print again.
    • SKIP THIS STEP if you have e-filed and the software has indicated no separate filing is needed for the state for 1099-MISC or 1099-NEC.
  • Step 3 — Print Form 1096 (IRS summary): Load your pre-printed IRS-approved 1096 form and print only the LAST PAGE of the PDF. Only one Form 1096 is required per mailing to the IRS.
    • SKIP THIS STEP if Patriot is e-filing your 1099s — Patriot files Form 1096 electronically.

How to Adjust your 1099 or 1096 Print Layout

If your printed 1099s are misaligned on the pre-printed forms, you can adjust the print layout:

  1. Go to Settings > 1099 Contractor Settings > 1099/1096 Print Layout.
  2. Choose the form type from the dropdown:
    • 1099 Contractor Print Layout (2019 and prior)
    • 1096 Company Print Layout
    • 1099-NEC Contractor Print Layout (2020 and later)
    • 1099-MISC Contractor Print Layout (2020 and later)
  3. Click Preview to check the alignment.
  4. Make any necessary adjustments.
  5. Click Save before printing your actual forms.

See “Print Layout and Adjustments for Blank 1099 and 1096 Forms” for detailed adjustment instructions.

Filing and Distributing Forms 1099 and 1096

Your responsibility depends on whether Patriot is e-filing for you.

If Patriot is e-filing your 1099s:

  • Send to the IRS: Nothing — Patriot files electronically on your behalf, including Form 1096.
  • Send to each contractor: One copy of Form 1099 Copy B (black pre-printed form or Print Friendly on blank paper). If your state requires it, also send Copy 2.
  • Send to the state: One copy of Copy 1 for each contractor, filed directly with your state, if your state requires a state copy. If you participated in the combined federal/state e-filing program, this is may be handled electronically, although some states who participate in the combined federal state filing may still require a separate filing.
    • The software will flag if you need to send a copy to the state.

If Patriot Is Not e-filing your 1099s:

  • Send to the IRS: One Copy A (red pre-printed form) for each contractor, plus one Form 1096 summary. Mail to the IRS address for your state listed in IRS Publication 1099 (General Instructions for Certain Information Returns).
  • Send to each contractor: One copy of Form 1099 Copy B (black pre-printed form or Print Friendly on blank paper), and Copy 2, if required by the state.
  • Send to state – If your state requires it, also file Copy 1 directly with your state tax agency.

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