Why February Isn’t Too Late to Handle 1099 Clean-Up
Charlotte Van Dyck
Even though the standard IRS deadline for sending 1099-NECs is January 31, many business owners are still catching up in February, especially if their books were behind. If that’s you, don’t panic. February is still an important window to:
- Correct contractor information
- Obtain missing W-9s
- Verify totals paid
- Reduce penalties by filing as soon as possible
The longer you wait, the more stressful and expensive it becomes, and the harder it is to reconstruct accurate vendor payments.
The Most Common 1099 Mistakes Small Businesses Make
Here are the issues we see most often:
-
Missing W-9s
A W-9 provides the contractor’s legal name, address, and taxpayer identification number. Without it, you can’t accurately issue a 1099.
-
Incorrect contractor classification
Many business owners accidentally treat contractors like employees, or vice versa, which can cause compliance problems beyond 1099s.
-
Paying contractors through the wrong method
Some payments, such as credit card or third-party platform payments, are reported differently. This can impact whether you need to issue a 1099.
-
Incorrect totals because books aren’t clean
If expenses aren’t categorized correctly or if contractor payments were mixed with reimbursements, the amounts can be inaccurate.
-
Typos in names or EINs/SSNs
Even small errors can cause forms to be rejected or create notices later.
How to Make 1099s Easier Next Year?
The best 1099 strategy is one that starts before January. Here are a few habits that make a huge difference:
- Collect W-9s before you pay a contractor
- Categorize contractor expenses correctly all year
- Keep vendor profiles updated
- Reconcile monthly so totals are reliable
- Don’t mix contractor payments with personal transactions
Most importantly, don’t wait until the deadline.
How Team One Accounting Helps With 1099s?
At Team One Accounting, we support small businesses with 1099 preparation the right way: not rushed, not messy, and not last minute.
We can help you:
- Review and organize contractor and vendor payments
- Confirm who needs a 1099
- Clean up bookkeeping categories if needed
- Verify totals against your financial records
- Prepare for smoother filing every year going forward
When your books are clean and systems are in place, 1099s become a routine task rather than a stressful event.
If your business paid contractors last year and you’re unsure whether your 1099s were done correctly, or you’re still working through the process, Team One Accounting is here to help.
Reach out today and let our team help you file with confidence, avoid compliance issues, and keep your business on track for a smoother tax season.
Still have questions?
Team One Accounting is your local Orange County, CA & St John’s FL bookkeeping service, trusted by business owners who want clear, reliable, and friendly financial support. If you’re ready to take bookkeeping off your plate and feel confident in your numbers, contact us today for a free consultation.
Take Control of Your Business Finances Today!
Don’t let financial challenges slow your business down. Partner with Team One Accounting to simplify your bookkeeping, improve accuracy, and stay on track for success. Contact us now to get started!
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