Tax Year Prior to 2020: What is the 1099-G? and what do I do if i have not received one?

[npierson7]

You need to contact your state agency from whom you received your Unemployment benefits. You need information form the form to complete your tax return. 

[annfootprints]

I have called 4 times since Feb2, including again this morning...On hold for more than an hour each time; each time I am told my "case" has been put on the spread sheet to be "handled," and every time they transfer me to a manager, as I have requested each time, I get transferred to a line that says "Due to high call volumes we are unable to take your call, please call again later,"  This is like a full-time job in itself,  So frustrating.  Others have said to just fill in the Tax forms with the numbers as best I can estimate them in the "other" section.  The nearer we get to April 15 with no resolution, the more I am tempted to do that.  This is the only thing holding up completion of my taxes. Thank you for your reply.  Ann

[WendyN2]

Yes, definitely fill in the information yourself to the best effort of accuracy. In doing so you are more than complying! Truly, this is more than acceptable given the current state of everything.

[mckeving]

I never received a 1099g form. I do I get a copy?

[DMarkM1]

You need to contact your state unemployment office to obtain the information (copy of your 1099G) in order to properly complete your tax returns. 

Another option is the request a Wage and Earnings transcript from the IRS.  That will contain 1099G information as well.

Here is a link you can use to make that request.

[1ringeisenp]

how do we get copy of 1099?

[1ringeisenp]

my wife received unemployment benefits.    but there is no record

[Irene2805]

Form 1099-G is used to report government payments you received, most commonly unemployment benefits and state tax refunds.  

You may not always receive a 1099-G.  Please see this TurboTax Help article:  How do I report unemployment if I didn't get a 1099-G?

@1ringeisenp

[How-Rad]

This month I received all my 2020 pandemic unemployment payments in a lump sum after a lengthy appeals process so my 1099-G says $0 for last year. I called the Govt for an updated version but they had no answers for me, except that it would probably all be reported on 2021's 1099-G. So do I need to calculate what I should have received for 2020 and file that number? Or do I have to wait and file it all for 2021 (which is not the best outcome for my taxes). Any guidance welcome since the Govt couldn't advise.

[KathrynG3]

No, you do not need to calculate what you should have received for 2020 or file that. Yes, you will have to wait and file it all for 2021. The unemployment compensation taxation forgiveness for the first $10,200 does apply to 2021, as well.

The IRS requires income to be reported in the year the income was received, which is called the cash basis. The income counts when you actually get the money.

For what to expect for 2021 taxes, try using this calculator for a ballpark estimate: Tax Calculator and Refund Estimator 2020-2021 | TurboTax® Official. This could help you make sure you have enough taxes taken out along the way for the rest of 2021.

[mincanale37]

I got unemployment during 2020 and did not get a form 1099-G what do I do to file my taxes?

[BillM223]

Have you gone to the state agency's website to see if your 1099-G is available online?

If that doesn't work, see this TurboTax Help article.

[How-Rad]

Thank you Kathryn for the gift of clear sightedness and communication. Why the government couldn’t suggest that boggles me. I thank you 🙏🏻 

[LovelyCat]

Hi JotikaT2,

When I filed my tax return for 2019, I applied all my CA state tax refund to the tax year of 2020. Now as I am filing my 2020 tax return,  I just found that I actually received a 1099-G from CA for 2020. I checked my Turbo Tax before I file my 2020 CA state tax and Turbo tax shows I have a CA state refund in the same amount I applied to the 2020, meaning Turbo tax does recognize I've applied my 2019 return to the 2020. In this case,  do you know why I still received a CA 2020 FORM 1099-G? I look forward to your reply. Thank you!!

Richard

[DaveF1006]

Even though you applied your 2019 tax refund to pay 2020 taxes, the amount is still taxable, even if you used it to apply to your 2020 taxes. How you used the money is irrelevant in this case because you received an economic benefit for that money in 2020 whereas you used to money to reduce your taxes due for this year.