BackYears is an independent referral service. We are not a CPA firm, tax preparer, or law firm, and we are not affiliated with the IRS or any government agency. Tax services are provided by independent licensed professionals.
Unfiled 1099 income
Short answer: List the years you think are missing, gather your 1099s, bank and app statements and receipts, then have a licensed tax pro prepare each year on that year's forms. The IRS says to file every return that's due, even if you can't pay in full. If you don't file, it may file a substitute return that might not credit deductions you're entitled to, such as your business costs.
Written by the BackYears editorial team. Published . Last reviewed .
Not yet reviewed by a tax professional.
This is the most common situation we hear about. You did freelance, contract or gig work, nobody withheld tax from your pay, and at tax time the numbers felt too big or too messy to face. One year became two, then three.
This page is general information, not tax advice.
Why 1099 work makes falling behind easy
When you're an employee, your employer takes tax out of every paycheck. When you're paid on a 1099, nobody does that for you. You also have business costs to track, and records live in different apps and inboxes. None of that makes you a bad person. It makes you a freelancer.
Self-employed people also pay self-employment tax, which covers Social Security and Medicare. The IRS explains it on its self-employment tax page(IRS.gov), opens in a new tab.
Why filing matters even if you can't pay yet
The IRS's page on filing past due tax returns(IRS.gov), opens in a new tab says to file all returns that are due, whether or not you can pay in full. It also says that if you don't file, the IRS may file a substitute return that might not give you credit for deductions you're entitled to. For freelancers, those deductions are often your business costs.
What catching up usually looks like
- List the years you think are missing.
- Gather 1099s, bank and app statements, and receipts you can find.
- Talk to a licensed tax pro about the order to file in and what's missing.
- The pro prepares each year's return on that year's forms.
The IRS also has a self-employed individuals tax center(IRS.gov), opens in a new tab with general information.
How BackYears can help
Answer a few questions (no SSN) and, if you say yes, we'll introduce you to a vetted CPA, Enrolled Agent or tax attorney who catches freelancers up for a flat price they set and publish. We're an independent referral service, not a tax preparer and not the IRS.
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Questions people ask
My clients never sent me a 1099. Do I still need to report that income?
That's a question for a licensed tax pro, who can look at your situation. The IRS's self-employed tax center is a good place to read the general rules.
Can BackYears tell me how much I owe?
No. We don't prepare returns or give tax advice. A tax pro can work that out once they see your records.
Want help catching up?
Answer a few questions (no SSN). If you say yes, we'll introduce you to a vetted tax pro who offers a flat price. Free, no obligation.
Start the questionsRelated
- I haven't filed taxes in 3 years: what now?
A calm, plain-English look at what to do when you haven't filed for a few years, with links to the IRS's own pages.
- Records you'll need as a freelancer
A plain checklist of the records a tax pro usually asks for when you're catching up on unfiled years, and what to do if some are missing.
- What's a substitute for return?
If you don't file, the IRS may file a return for you. Here's what the IRS says a substitute return is and why it can cost you more.
Everything on this site is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a licensed tax professional.