QuickBooks and IRS 1099/1096 Forms for 2013

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A recent email from an Intuit official incorrectly advised many QuickBooks users that the 1099 and 1096 forms would not be supported for 2013 except when using QuickBooks 2014.  Since that time Intuit has clarified their support for Tax Year 2013 IRS Forms1099 and 1096.  Based upon that clarification this is what we can tell you at the present time.

The Problem with the 2013 tax forms:

For tax year 2013, the IRS changed the sizing and formatting for some of the boxes on these forms. As an example, a large part of Box 6 (shown above) is now shaded red; the $ amounts must print in the unshaded white part of the box, and at the same time the IRS shrunk the unshaded white part of the box.

Compliant and Non-compliant Versions of QuickBooks:

As a result of the IRS changes only 'Intuit supported' versions of QuickBooks will be able to print data correctly in compliance with the revised IRS form 1099/1096 format changes.

If you are using a 2010 or earlier version of QuickBooks (desktop) software, you WILL NOT be able to print 1099/1096 forms in an IRS compatible format. 

QuickBooks (desktop) customers using 2011 through 2014 versions of the software ARE NOT IMPACTED by the IRS changes, and those versions of the software have been updated to adjust printing of 1099/1096 forms in IRS compatible format.

Options we believe are available for unsupported versions of QuickBooks:

  1. Forms 1099/1096 can be completed by hand and submitted to the IRS. While not convenient, the IRS does accept 'hand written' forms.
  2. Use an alternative 1099/1096 reporting software; many are available from a variety of sources including popular ‘big-box office supply’ 1099/1096 form suppliers. (You can get software and forms in a single package at some stores.)
  3. Use a 1099 E-file service, Intuit offers such a service, but there are some others associated with tax-preparers as well.  (If you use the Intuit service and you are using 2010 or earlier versions of QuickBooks you will also have to ‘manually key’ in your data, those versions of QuickBooks do not offer 1099 data export/import for Intuit’s service.)
  4. Upgrade your 2010 (or earlier version) of QuickBooks to QuickBooks 2014; this option will allow you to print 1099 forms in compliance with the revised IRS format for tax year 2013.

Intuitive Accountant will strive to keep you aware of any changes that may impact this topic, check back frequently.

Murph