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How to File 1099-NEC Online: Free IRIS vs Software

October 17, 2026 · Guide 8 of 16 · 3 min read

Educational information only. Not tax, legal, or financial advice. 1099-NEC Filing is not the IRS and is not affiliated with it. Check IRS.gov and consider a qualified tax professional. Last checked against the cited sources: October 17, 2026. Anything marked expected for 2027 should be re-checked. Examples use made-up numbers.

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Short answer: The IRS provides a free option, the IRIS Taxpayer Portal. Paid software also exists. Some businesses prefer it for convenience. If you have 10 or more information returns in total, the IRS says you must e-file. You do not have to buy software to e-file.

Option 1: IRIS Taxpayer Portal (IRS, free)

Per the IRS page, IRIS is free and web-based. You can file up to 100 returns at a time, type them in or upload a .csv file, download payee copies, and keep a record of what you filed. You need an IRIS TCC, a 5-digit code. The IRS says processing can take up to 45 days, so apply early.

E-file information returns with IRIS is the official starting point.

Option 2: what to compare in paid software

Compare products without assuming one is better. We have not tested them, and product facts below are not claimed.

  1. Price per return, state filing fees, and extras such as corrections or W-9 collection.
  2. How the vendor says it connects to the IRS, and which forms it files. Check current options on IRS.gov.
  3. Payee delivery: mail and electronic copies, and the consent rules.
  4. How TIN data is protected.
  5. Support near the due date.
  6. Cancellation, and whether you can export your data.

Software links

No affiliate link is active on this page. IRIS, from the IRS, is the free filing option described above.

FAQ

Do I have to pay for software?

No. The IRS describes IRIS as free for filing. Paid software is optional.

Which option is right?

It depends on volume, state filing, and how you like to work. Tax1099 and TaxBandits were not tested, and their current features, prices, and affiliate terms were not verified.

What we could not verify

  • Features, prices, IRS connection, and fitness of Tax1099 or TaxBandits.
  • Affiliate terms, payout, and whether a program requires a legal name. No commission rate is stated on this site.
  • Publication 1099 (general instructions) was not read. The inflation-adjusted threshold for payments made after 2026 is not published, and no number for 2027 is stated here.
  • State filing rules vary and are not covered. Many states have their own requirements.
  • Worker classification (employee versus contractor) is not decided here. See IRS guidance and consider a qualified professional.

Sources

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