Am I required to hand-enter every single 1099-MISC form into TurboTax or can I just plug in the topline misc income?

[jasoncdixson]

I have about 60 1099-MISC forms. The data entry on this will take me hours. Do I need to manually enter all my individual 1099-MISC forms, or can I save time and simply enter the topline of my miscellaneous income? 

I only want to do this if 1) it is totally legal and 2) it does not impact what the IRS receives from TurboTax when I file. 

[Coleen3 · Accepted solution]

There is no rule that says you have to enter them separately, however, the IRS is getting 60 copies also. The burden of proof, that all the income from all the 1099s is entered on your Schedule C, is on you. You may or may not get a letter down the road. I, personally, would bother now, rather than bother later.

[jasoncdixson]

Thank you, Coleen. However, it's my understanding that nothing that gets sent to the IRS by TurboTax itemizes those 1099s. All the IRS will see is the total miscellaneous income number. Is that correct? And if so, what good does it do to enter this data except for TurboTax to have it in its worksheets?

[Coleen3]

The IRS has it both ways... they run a total amount check since they have the copies... but they also have it by the payer ein.

[Coleen3]

Bottom line, you do not have to enter each one separately.

[jasoncdixson]

Great, thank you Coleen!