Preparing and Submitting Form 1096 - Annual Summary and Transmittal of Information Returns

What is Form 1096?
Form 1096 is a compilation/summary return, which shows the totals from information returns and must be submitted to the IRS along with these returns, such as the 1099-MISC form.
You will need to submit a separate 1096 for every type of information return you have given to a recipient, even if you only prepared one of each kind. For example, if you prepared and submitted two 1099-MISC forms and one 1099-R form (for retirement payments), you must submit a 1096 summarizing the 1099-MISC forms and another 1096 summarizing the 1099-R form.

When Must Form 1096 be Submitted?
Form 1096 must be submitted to the IRS no later than the last business day of February each year (February 28, in 2011), along with the applicable returns which it summarizes.

How Do I Complete Form 1096?

1. First, enter the name of your business (as the "FILER")and address; a name of a person to contact, and an email address, phone number and fax number.
   
2. Enter your Employer ID Number (Box 1) or Social Security Number (Box 2), if you don't have an EIN.
   
3. In Box 3, enter the total number of forms you are submitting with this 1096.
   
4. In Box 4, enter the total federal income tax withheld on all the forms you are submitting. If you didn't withhold any federal income tax, indicate "0".
   
5. In Box 5, enter the total amount of reported payments on all the forms you are submitting.
   
6. In Box 6, enter an "X" in the box for the type of form you are submitting. For example, if you are submitting 1099-MISC forms, enter an X in the 1099-MISC box.

Other Instructions
If you are submitting 250 or more forms, you must file electronically.

Be sure that all the information on the 1096 about you (the FILER), including your EIN, is the same as on the 1099-MISC forms you are submitting.
Don't forget to sign and date the form.

You MUST submit the RED Scannable Form to the IRS. Don't download and print a 1096 from the web and submit it; you could be subject to a $50 fine for submitting a 1096 form that is not scannable. You can order 1096 forms from the IRS.

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