Cost effective method of generating/filing a 1099-MISC for a contractor?

[TaronM]

Unlike most other tax forms, you can't just edit a .pdf downloaded off the IRS web site and print it out and mail it in for 1099's. They use special ink or something. My business (an LLC taxed as a partnership) has a contractor we paid ~12k to in 2018 and I need to send him, and the IRS, a 1099-MISC by the end of the month.

I ordered a free 1099-MISC form (and a 1096 form to go with it) from the IRS on the 3rd, which they said would take 5 days, but haven't got it yet. I assume this is because of the government shutdown. I'm worried it's not going to arrive in time, or at all. I could also buy 1099 forms from office stores but they sell them in like packs of 50 and I only need one. I'm also concerned that even if I got it, if these forms are so special they have special ink and are scanned in, can I even fill out it by hand anyway? My handwriting is not great. Or do I have feed it through my printer somehow?

Anyway, I know if I were willing to buy a full tax software suite for businesses they probably have some 1099 e-file option, but I don't use tax software other than Free File Fillable Forms for my 1040. For my 1065 and K1's I just use .pdf's and fill them in manually and mail them off. I don't really want to buy a full tax software suite just to file this single 1099. I wish the IRS wasn't so weird about this one particular (yet extremely common) form!

A google search showed a couple sites that claimed they could e-file a single 1099 for me for a small fee, like www.efile4biz.com ($4.50) or www.track1099.com ($2.90) or http://www.taxformguide.com/1099-generic/ (the last of which claims to be free, but I'm not sure I trust that it actually e-files it). I need to send a copy to my contractor (preferably a physical one mailed to him as he's not very tech savvy), have one printed out for my records, and get one to the IRS one way or another.

Has anyone here had experience with any of these or other sites or services and can give their opinions? Or have ideas on a cheap way of generating/filing 1099's when you only need to send out one or two and are a cheapskate like me that otherwise does all their taxes by hand?

Thanks!

[secondcor521]

A quick online search says you might be able to get free real "special ink" versions where tax forms are, such as your local library or post office.

A quick online search also says you can fill it out by hand.  Just print neatly.

https://www.1099fire.com/blog/where-can-i-get-a-blank-1099-misc-form-for-free/
http://robergtaxsolutions.com/2012/11/top-tips-to-prepare-1099-misc-forms-on-your-own/

[TaronM]

A quick online search says you might be able to get free real "special ink" versions where tax forms are, such as your local library or post office.

A quick online search also says you can fill it out by hand.  Just print neatly.

https://www.1099fire.com/blog/where-can-i-get-a-blank-1099-misc-form-for-free/
http://robergtaxsolutions.com/2012/11/top-tips-to-prepare-1099-misc-forms-on-your-own/

I had no luck with the library or post office this year, sorry I should have mentioned that in the original post. That's why I ordered them from the IRS (I actually found that exact same post when I started looking into it originally and followed that advice).

[secondcor521]

No worries.  Another place I just thought of was the local federal district courthouse if one is near you.

[TaronM]

No luck, just got back from driving around to any government buildings in the area I could find and got the same answer everywhere. I found several that normally have 1099's, but they said that just like me they haven't got any this time and assume it is because of the government shutdown. Some said they've gotten enough requests that they've checked with other places in neighboring counties and reported they are all out too.

As the deadline draws near and the shutdown shows no signs of ending soon, e-filing may be my only option. Which brings me back to my original question - can anyone recommend a service that e-file's 1099-MISC forms for a reasonable fee and isn't likely to be a scam site or to turn around and sell my (or my contractor's) personal information to a marketing company or something?

[walkwalkwalk]

https://www.efilemyforms.com/Pricing

It says it is 2.99 to efile 1 form. Sounds reasonable to me.

[frugalone]

I used Intuits 1099 E-file service.  You fill it in with your numbers and they email to the IRS. $14.99 for 3 1099's.  You can print them out and give to your Contractors.

Only takes 15 minutes to do and it's a trusted well-known company.

https://payroll.intuit.com/1099-e-file/

[cchrissyy]

I used track1099.com, years ago, and it was easy and worked exactly like you'd expect. 
They efile with the IRS and email a PDF to the recipient.
Current price is $2.90