Since when did companies stop mailing tax forms, like 1099s?

[Auggie]

Helping my Dad do his taxes and discovered the only way to get a 1099 of his retirement earnings was to go online. Last year it was mailed to him. This year, nothing -- not even notification that not only would the forms not be mailed to him but that he'd have to go online, register a new account, and print them himself.

For someone who is 87, and not computer savvy, this is bewildering beyond belief.

What's going on (besides the obvious penny-pinching)?

[Lurks Often]

1. State governments are doing it too

I need the statement that showed what my state tax refund was from the prior year as it is considered "income" and must be reported on my current Federal and State tax returns. The state stopped sending it in the mail a couple of years ago.

Oh, for those of you thinking I live in some red state controlled by Republicans, I happen to live in very blue Connecticut.

[FBaggins]

2. They can't

It had to be mailed unless he gives permission for electronic notifications (or its very small)

But that could have happened without him realizing it

[Auggie]

4. A former co-worker of his had the exact same experience ...

and he's computer literate. I just spoke to him.

[Warpy]

6. I haven't got mine, either.

I haven't accessed that account in ages, seems like that's the only way to get them this year.

Part of the problem is that the Fed extended their filing time. A lot of places are using that as an excuse to cheap out and not mail them.

It sucks, bigtime. I think there is going to be a lot of investor rebellion over it this year.

[FBaggins]

16. Do you get paper statements on the account?

If not, then they have you down as accepting digital statements. Lots of people prefer that and it saved them money, so they make that very easy.

[Warpy]

17. I get paper statements, huge ones

so I should have gotten something by now. I'm calling the money guy tomorrow to clarify things. I'm going to be rather annoyed if they've stopped sending 1099s with no announcement. Printing mine is going to be a large PIA, it's huge.

[Rex]

3. No idea, I had to go and demand one from a former client.

Never had that happen before.

[Downwinder]

5. Mine was mailed to me.

[riderinthestorm]

7. As a small business owner in IL, I have to mail them by law

or give them written notification that it's now going electronic.



I'd question what's going on to the authorities.

[napi21]

8. I don't know. I know last year I got my forms online from

the company that manages my 401k funds. SS sent a form in the mail with the year's payments made to my hubby and me. he other thing I've had to get online for a LONG time ius the annual report from the credit card companies we use.

I would THINK everybody would have the option of getting paper info is they asked. You might consider contacting the companies your dad uses and ask them to switch him to paper.

[Auggie]

9. Excellent idea

Thanks

[former9thward]

10. The IRS says it may be sent electronically.

If you are required to
furnish a written statement (Copy B or an acceptable
substitute) to a recipient, then you may furnish the
statement electronically instead of on paper.

This includes
furnishing the statement to recipients of Forms 1097-BTC,
1098, 1098-E, 1098-T, 1099-A, B, C, CAP, DIV, G, H, INT,
K, LTC, MISC, OID, PATR, Q, R, S, SA, 3921, 3922,
5498, 5498-ESA, and 5498-SA. It also includes Form
W-2G (except for horse and dog racing, jai alai,
sweepstakes, wagering pools, and lotteries).


Prior to furnishing the statements electronically, you
must provide the recipient a statement with the following
statements prominently displayed.
If the recipient does not consent to receive the
statement electronically, a paper copy will be provided.
The scope and duration of the consent. For example,
whether the consent applies to every year the statement is
furnished or only for the January 31 or February 15, as
applicable, immediately following the date of the consent.
How to obtain a paper copy after giving consent.
How to withdraw the consent. The consent may be
withdrawn at any time by furnishing the withdrawal in
writing (electronically or on paper) to the person whose
name appears on the statement. Confirmation of the withdrawal also will be in writing (electronically or on
paper).
Notice of termination. The notice must state under what
conditions the statements will no longer be furnished to
the recipient.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1099gi.pdf

So, in other words, the company may have sent your father a form letter saying they were going to send statements electronically, like the annual privacy statements that are required, and your father does not remember it or tossed it like almost all of do when we get such notiifications.

[Auggie]

15. As I posted upthread, he was not the only retiree who reported this

The co-worker who collaborated the experience was in the HR department and still "with it."

Maybe it happened ... thanks for the reply.

[csziggy]

11. Some companies are defaulting to online distribution

Unless you specifically request paper versions.

My husband set up to get his statements and all reports for his accounts online. Problem is, he doesn't regularly check his email so doesn't get notice of when they are available and doesn't pick them up. So a few years ago I had him change the notice email to mine. Well, that didn't work because shortly after I had four surgeries in one year and my ability to keep up with things went down the tubes.

Last year I managed to call and request his 1099s. Since I wasn't requesting any info and only asked that they be sent to the person and address on file, it was no problem. This year I got him to call, now that he's retired around to do that.

When he rolls over his 401k I'm getting him to transfer everything else to an account at that brokerage. That way, we each will get one statement for our taxes at the end of the year and have one place to call about paperwork instead of several different places.

My sister has had problems with banks defaulting to electronic statements with no notice at all. She only wants hard copies for the different accounts she has to handle. She switched banks when one changed accounts to electronic event though she had written letters to them on each account instructing them to NEVER change to electronic formats again. Since she is handling all the business for all the family financial stuff, including my Dad's estate, she doesn't need the extra stress of having to harass the banks to keep doing the same thing they always have done.

[Hestia]

12. Sounds like another way to defund the USPS from receiving less revenue

[hollysmom]

13. I thought they sent me a notice that they were going to stop sending it tome if I filed on-line.

Is this a security problem? I Have been filng on-line for decades.
I am not happy with turbo tax, though, I am going back to one of the more obscure ones now because they are still are free and give you the last years to pre fill out some fields without demanding $10.

[alcibiades_mystery]

14. You have to opt in to electronic delivery

It's the law. They must mail the documentation unless you specify otherwise.