Are commissions reported on 1099-MISC or 1099-NEC?
Sarah Duran
Published Mar 05, 2026
The short answer: to keep nonemployee expenses separate from Form 1099-MISC and clear up some confusion with due dates. Again, only use Form 1099-NEC to report nonemployee compensation. Nonemployee compensation includes fees, commissions, prizes, awards, and other forms of compensation for services.
Which box has 1099-NEC?
New Form 1099-NEC Beginning with the 2020 tax year (to be filed by February 1, 2021) the new 1099-NEC form will be used for reporting nonemployee compensation (NEC) payments. Previously NEC was reported in Box 7 of the 1099-MISC form. These payments will now be reported in Box 1 of the 1099-NEC form.
Where do you put commissions on a 1099?
Commission income reported in Box 7 of a 1099-MISC is self-employment income for tax purposes, and is properly reported on Schedule C.
What to do with Form 1099 MISC box 7?
If you are an independent contractor or self-employed you are probably used to receiving a 1099-MISC and using it to complete your tax return. The 1099-MISC box 7 was also used to report fees, commissions, prizes, awards, and other forms of compensation for services.
What can be reported on a 1099 MISC?
Exchanges of services between individuals in the course of their trades or businesses. For example, an attorney represents a painter for nonpayment of business debts in exchange for the painting of the attorney’s law offices. The amount reportable by each on Form 1099-MISC is the fair market value of their own services performed.
How are incentive payments reported on Form 1099-MISC?
Incentive payments are still taxable income, but not in quite the same way as income that appears in box 7 of Form 1099-MISC, “Nonemployee Compensation.” That’s why you get to keep more of the money.
How are gambling winnings reported on Form 1099-MISC?
In that case, it’s gambling winnings, which are reported on Schedule 1. Form 1099-MISC’s Box 3 “Other Income” items are subject to income tax, but they are not subject to FICA taxes—Social Security and Medicare—or to the federal unemployment tax. This is the important distinction.
