How to print IRS Forms 1099s and 1096 from QuickBooks for free
This has always been driving me crazy! Not being able to easily just print the IRS forms and mail them yourself was the most frustrating part of the tax season for me.
I know that e-filing with paid services is easier and for many it is even worth the time, money and effort, but if you have just one or a few every year it plainly doesn’t make any sense.
So here is my way: 100% legal, correct and free!
In QuickBooks Online:
1. Go to Workers -> Contractors
2. Click on Prepare 1099s
3. Go though the process and at the end select Print and Mail option (Click on ‘I’ll file myslef’. I know it says “Starts at $58.99″, but don’t worry - that’s for the kit to print on - the actual text to print in the correct formatting will be free.
You should have ordered your 1099s and 1096s directly from IRS for free ahead of time. If you haven’t, you might be out out luck, as the IRS takes their sweet time and you can’t just print those forms on any paper - it has to be the official IRS form, as otherwise it will not scan into their system.
4. Once on this screen go through the prompts. Make sure to actually test the print and allign the boxes first, especially if you don’t have too many forms to waste. It could take quite a few tries to get it just right.
5. Keep on testing till you get it right. It could take quite a few tries to get it just right.
For 1099s, my presets for 8.5x11 page were 70 horizontal by -9 vertical
For 1096, my presets for 8x11 page were 10 horizontal by 5 vertical
6. Print both forms and sign the 1096.
7. Mail the red pages to IRS. You can find the right address for your company on the IRS form itself towards the bottom or on the reverse side.
