If you're a business owner, accountant, or payroll professional, you already know that filing 1099 forms with the IRS is required for reporting payments to contractors, freelancers, and other non-employees. But here's what many businesses overlook: states require 1099 filing as well, and the requirements vary significantly depending on where you do business and where your payees are located. Failing to meet state 1099 filing requirements can result in penalties, compliance headaches, and potential audit triggers.
Understanding which states require 1099 filing is essential for complete tax compliance. While the IRS receives your federal 1099 submissions, many states have their own reporting requirements that mandate you file copies with state tax authorities. Some states participate in the IRS Combined Federal/State Filing Program (CF/SF), which automatically forwards your federal 1099 data to participating states. However, other states require separate, direct submissions, and some states have no 1099 filing requirements at all.
The complexity increases when you consider that different states may require different 1099 form types, have varying filing thresholds, and impose unique deadlines. A business operating in multiple states or paying contractors across state lines must navigate a patchwork of requirements. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about state 1099 filing requirements, including which states participate in the Combined Federal/State Filing Program, which states require direct filing, and how to ensure you're meeting all your obligations.
In this guide, you'll learn:
States require 1099 filing for the same fundamental reason the IRS does: to ensure that income is properly reported and taxed. When you pay a contractor or vendor, that payment represents taxable income to the recipient. By requiring businesses to report these payments to state tax authorities, states can:
Most states with an income tax have some form of 1099 reporting requirement. The key distinction is whether the state participates in the IRS Combined Federal/State Filing Program or requires businesses to file directly with the state. Understanding this distinction is crucial for determining your compliance obligations.
Different states may require different types of 1099 forms. The most commonly required forms include:
The specific forms required vary by state. Some states only require forms showing state withholding, while others require all 1099 forms regardless of whether state tax was withheld. Always verify the specific requirements for each state where you have filing obligations.
Several factors determine whether you need to file 1099s with a particular state:
1. Payee's State of Residence: If you pay a contractor who resides in a state with 1099 filing requirements, you may need to file with that state, regardless of where your business is located.
2. Where Services Were Performed: Some states require filing based on where the work was performed, not just where the payee lives. This is particularly relevant for contractors who travel or work in multiple states.
3. State Tax Withholding: If you withheld state income tax from any payments, you must file with the state regardless of other factors. The 1099 reports the withholding so the payee can claim credit on their state return.
4. Business Nexus: Having a business presence (nexus) in a state may trigger filing requirements even for out-of-state payees who provided services related to that nexus.
5. Payment Thresholds: While the federal threshold for 1099-NEC is $600, some states have different thresholds or require filing for all amounts.
The Combined Federal/State Filing Program (CF/SF) is an IRS program that simplifies state 1099 filing by automatically forwarding your federal 1099 data to participating state tax agencies. When you e-file 1099 forms with the IRS and participate in the CF/SF program, the IRS shares your filing data with any participating states you designate. This eliminates the need to file separate state copies for those states.
The benefits of the CF/SF program include:
The following states participate in the Combined Federal/State Filing Program and will receive your 1099 data automatically when you participate in the program during federal e-filing:
| State | Participation Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Arizona | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Arkansas | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| California | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Colorado | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Connecticut | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Delaware | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Georgia | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Hawaii | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Idaho | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Indiana | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Iowa | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Kansas | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Kentucky | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Louisiana | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Maine | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Maryland | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Massachusetts | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Michigan | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Minnesota | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Mississippi | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Missouri | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Montana | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Nebraska | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| New Jersey | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| New Mexico | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| North Carolina | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| North Dakota | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Ohio | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Oklahoma | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Oregon | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Pennsylvania | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Rhode Island | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| South Carolina | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Utah | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Vermont | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Virginia | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| West Virginia | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
| Wisconsin | Participating | Full participation in CF/SF |
Important: The CF/SF program only applies to electronic filings. If you paper-file your 1099s with the IRS, you must file separately with each state regardless of CF/SF participation. This is another reason why electronic filing is strongly recommended.
Participating in the Combined Federal/State Filing Program is straightforward when you e-file your 1099 forms:
When using BoomTax, the CF/SF participation is handled automatically. Simply enter the state information on your 1099 forms, and when you e-file, BoomTax ensures your data is properly formatted for the CF/SF program.
Several states do not participate in the Combined Federal/State Filing Program and require businesses to file 1099s directly with the state. Additionally, some states with no income tax have no 1099 filing requirements at all.
| State | Filing Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | No state income tax | No 1099 filing requirement |
| Florida | No state income tax | No 1099 filing requirement |
| Nevada | No state income tax | No 1099 filing requirement |
| New Hampshire | Limited income tax | Only taxes interest and dividends; limited 1099 requirements |
| New York | Direct filing required | Does not participate in CF/SF; must file directly |
| South Dakota | No state income tax | No 1099 filing requirement |
| Tennessee | Limited income tax | Hall Tax repealed in 2021; no general 1099 requirement |
| Texas | No state income tax | No 1099 filing requirement |
| Washington | No state income tax | No 1099 filing requirement (capital gains tax is separate) |
| Wyoming | No state income tax | No 1099 filing requirement |
| District of Columbia | Participating in CF/SF | Full participation as of recent years |
New York is the most notable state that requires direct 1099 filing and does not participate in the CF/SF program. If you have payees in New York or withheld New York state taxes, you must file directly with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
New York 1099 filing requirements:
Example: A California-based company pays a freelance writer in New York $25,000 for the year. The company must file the 1099-NEC with the IRS (which will be shared with California via CF/SF) AND file separately with New York State.
Even among CF/SF participating states, some have additional requirements or special circumstances that may require direct filing:
The following states have no state income tax and therefore have no general 1099 filing requirements:
Even in these states, if you're filing 1099s for payees located there, you still need to file with the IRS. The lack of state filing requirement only means no state copy is needed.
Two states have limited income tax structures that affect 1099 requirements:
New Hampshire: Only taxes interest and dividend income. If you're paying interest or dividends to New Hampshire residents, you may have reporting obligations. For contractor payments (1099-NEC), there's typically no New Hampshire filing requirement since the state doesn't tax that income.
Tennessee: The Hall Tax on interest and dividend income was fully repealed as of January 1, 2021. Tennessee now has no state income tax and no 1099 filing requirements.
These four states represent the largest populations and most significant filing volumes. Understanding their requirements is critical for most businesses:
California:
Texas:
Florida:
New York:
Most states align their 1099 filing deadlines with federal deadlines, though some variations exist:
| Form Type | Federal Deadline | Most Common State Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1099-NEC | January 31 | January 31 (aligns with federal) |
| 1099-MISC | March 31 (e-file) / February 28 (paper) | March 31 (e-file) or same as federal |
| 1099-INT | March 31 (e-file) / February 28 (paper) | March 31 (e-file) or same as federal |
| 1099-DIV | March 31 (e-file) / February 28 (paper) | March 31 (e-file) or same as federal |
| 1099-R | March 31 (e-file) / February 28 (paper) | March 31 (e-file) or same as federal |
Important: The 1099-NEC deadline of January 31 is particularly strict because it's the same deadline for both the IRS filing and the recipient copy. Missing this deadline can result in immediate penalties. For more information on deadlines, see our 1099 reporting requirements guide.
Most states follow the federal filing thresholds:
However, when state tax has been withheld, most states require filing regardless of the payment amount. If you withheld $50 in state taxes from a $400 payment (below the normal threshold), you must still file to allow the payee to claim credit for the withholding.
States impose their own penalties for failing to file 1099s or filing late, in addition to any federal penalties you may face. State penalties vary but typically include:
California:
New York:
Pennsylvania:
To avoid 1099 penalties at both the federal and state level, ensure you're filing accurately and on time with all required jurisdictions.
Start by reviewing your payee list and identifying which states are involved:
Organize your filing obligations into categories:
When preparing your 1099 forms, include all state-related information:
Accurate state information is essential for CF/SF program participation and for state compliance verification.
When you e-file your 1099 forms with the IRS:
For states requiring direct filing (like New York):
After filing, maintain complete records:
Situation: A technology company based in Illinois has contractors in California, New York, Texas, and Florida.
Filing Requirements:
Action Plan: E-file with IRS participating in CF/SF (covers California and Illinois), then prepare separate direct filing for New York. No additional filings needed for Texas and Florida contractors.
Situation: A bank with customers in all 50 states issues 1099-INT forms for interest paid on accounts.
Filing Requirements:
Best Practice: Use a comprehensive filing solution like BoomTax that can handle the volume, participate in CF/SF automatically, and assist with New York's direct filing requirements.
Situation: A property management company pays various landlords and service providers rent and compensation that requires 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC reporting.
Filing Requirements:
Tip: Collect W-9 forms from all payees at the start of the relationship to ensure you have accurate state addresses and TINs for proper filing.
Situation: From the client's perspective: a marketing agency in Georgia pays freelancers located in New York, California, and Georgia.
Filing Requirements:
Note: The filing requirement is based on the payee's location, not where the work was performed, in most cases. However, some states may have sourcing rules that consider where services are rendered.
BoomTax automatically handles Combined Federal/State Filing Program participation when you e-file your 1099 forms. Simply enter the state information on your forms, and when you submit your federal filing, BoomTax ensures your data is properly formatted and transmitted to all participating states.
For states requiring direct filing like New York, BoomTax provides the tools and support you need. Our platform can generate files in state-specific formats and guide you through the direct submission process. This eliminates the need to learn each state's unique requirements and file formats.
When you have payees in many states, bulk upload capabilities become essential. BoomTax allows you to import your payee data from spreadsheets or accounting software, automatically identifying state filing requirements and organizing your submissions accordingly.
Ensuring accuracy is critical for state filings. BoomTax integrates IRS TIN matching to verify payee information before filing. This helps prevent rejections and the need for corrections that would require additional state filings.
With BoomTax, you can track the status of all your filings - federal and state - from a single dashboard. Know which filings have been accepted, which are pending, and which require additional action. This visibility ensures nothing falls through the cracks.
State filing requirements can be complex, especially when dealing with unusual situations like multi-state workers, state tax reciprocity agreements, or corrections. BoomTax provides support to help you navigate these complexities and ensure full compliance.
Most states with an income tax require 1099 filing. Over 40 states participate in the IRS Combined Federal/State Filing Program (CF/SF), which means your federal e-filing is automatically shared with these states. New York is the most notable state requiring direct filing. States without income tax (Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, Wyoming) have no 1099 filing requirements. Always verify current requirements as states may change their participation status.
The Combined Federal/State Filing Program (CF/SF) is an IRS program that automatically forwards your federal 1099 data to participating state tax agencies when you e-file. This eliminates the need to file separate copies with each state. Currently, about 40 states participate in the program. When you e-file your 1099s with the IRS and include state information, participating states automatically receive the data.
No. States without income tax (Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, Wyoming) do not require 1099 filings. You only need to file with the IRS for payees located in these states. Tennessee formerly had limited income tax but repealed it in 2021, so it also has no 1099 requirements now.
No. New York does not participate in the CF/SF program and requires businesses to file 1099s directly with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. This must be done electronically through their online system. If you have payees in New York, you must plan for this separate filing in addition to your federal filing.
Failing to file required state 1099s can result in state penalties, interest charges, and potential audit triggers. Penalties vary by state but typically range from $50 to $100 per form. Additionally, if state tax was withheld but not reported, your payees may have difficulty claiming credit for that withholding on their state returns.
Generally, you file with the state where your payee (contractor) resides, not necessarily where your business is located. If your contractor lives in California, you'd file with California (via CF/SF through federal filing) even if your business is in Texas. If state tax was withheld for a particular state, you must file with that state to allow the payee to claim credit.
When a contractor performs work in multiple states, the filing requirements can become complex. Generally, file based on the contractor's residence state. However, some states may require filing based on where services were performed, especially if state tax was withheld for work in that state. Consult with a tax professional for multi-state worker situations.
Most states align their deadlines with federal deadlines. For 1099-NEC, this is January 31 for both federal and most state filings. For other 1099 forms, the federal e-file deadline is March 31, and most states follow this. However, always verify specific state deadlines as some may vary. Through the CF/SF program, meeting the federal deadline typically satisfies state deadlines for participating states.
Yes, in most cases. States that participate in the CF/SF program receive your 1099 data regardless of whether state tax was withheld. For non-participating states like New York, you typically must file if the payee resides in that state, even without withholding. The state uses this information to verify the payee reported the income on their state return.
While some states may accept paper filings, the CF/SF program only works with electronic filings. If you paper-file with the IRS, you must file separately with each state. Given the efficiency of e-filing and the automatic CF/SF participation, electronic filing is strongly recommended. Many states are also moving toward mandatory electronic filing for certain volumes.
Yes. If you file a corrected 1099 with the IRS, the correction should be reported to applicable states as well. For CF/SF participating states, the corrected filing will be forwarded automatically. For states requiring direct filing, you must submit the correction separately to the state.
Use a comprehensive filing solution like BoomTax that tracks state requirements and ensures proper CF/SF participation. Review your payee list to identify all states involved, categorize by CF/SF participation status, and ensure you have processes for any direct-filing states. Maintain records of all filings and confirmations for compliance documentation.
Understanding which states require 1099 filing is essential for any business that pays contractors, freelancers, or makes other reportable payments. While the IRS Combined Federal/State Filing Program significantly simplifies compliance for the majority of states, businesses must still be aware of states requiring direct filing and those with no requirements at all.
Key takeaways for state 1099 filing compliance:
BoomTax provides the comprehensive solution you need for 1099 filing compliance across all jurisdictions. With automatic CF/SF program participation, support for direct state filings, bulk upload capabilities, and integrated TIN matching, you can confidently meet all your federal and state filing obligations. Our platform handles the complexity so you can focus on your business.
Don't let state 1099 filing requirements catch you off guard. Start with accurate data, use an e-filing solution that participates in CF/SF, and plan separately for states requiring direct submission. With the right approach and tools, state 1099 compliance becomes a manageable part of your overall 1099 reporting process.
BoomTax and its affiliates do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors prior to engaging in any transaction.