Reusing last years tax forms

[Bienes Raices]

Staples doesn't appear to have the 2012 1099-misc contractor kit available yet--will IRS mind if I just use the 2011 forms?

[Steve Babiak]

Although Jon is correct, that you can order forms from the IRS, there is one thing that I noticed that could be problematic for you if you order the forms this way.

It is now February 20 - and 1099-MISC was supposed to be postmarked by end of January (or first business day in February in certain years). So you have missed this deadline. But this deadline is for sending to your contractors, not the IRS.

But there is a part two to sending 1099-MISC, and that is sending the IRS the 1096 forms that report what was submitted on 1099s. And the deadline for sending the 1096 to the IRS is end of February.

If you order forms from the IRS, they will be sent via US Mail (the IRS pays the postage as I recall), and that will take a few days for those forms to arrive. This could take you past the IRS deadline for end of February. I suggest you identify the nearest IRS office where you can drive to and pick up forms in person, so that you can at least beat that end of February deadline.

Next year, you can order from the IRS, and do it early in January so that you can meet the deadlines.

Lastly, I'd bet a good tax accountant could handle your 1099 and 1096 for this one occasion; it will probably cost you a few dollars, but you might want to do this if you find the IRS offices aren't close enough to drive to.