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What Is Form 1099-DIV for Dividends and Distributions?

Form 1099-DIV is an IRS tax document that reports dividend income. Here's what it means and what to do with it.

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Tina Orem is an editor and content strategist at NerdWallet. Prior to becoming an editor and content strategist, she covered small business and taxes at NerdWallet. She has a degree in finance, as well as a master's degree in journalism and an MBA. Previously, she was a financial analyst and director of finance at public and private companies. Tina's work has appeared in a variety of local and national media outlets.

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Editor & Content Strategist

Tina Orem is an editor and content strategist at NerdWallet. Prior to becoming an editor and content strategist, she covered small business and taxes at NerdWallet. She has a degree in finance, as well as a master's degree in journalism and an MBA. Previously, she was a financial analyst and director of finance at public and private companies. Tina's work has appeared in a variety of local and national media outlets.

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Chris Hutchison helped build NerdWallet's editorial operation and has directed coverage across banking, investing, taxes and insurance. He now leads a team exploring new verticals. Before joining NerdWallet, he was an editor and programmer at ESPN and an editor at the San Jose Mercury News.

Head of Content, New Verticals

Chris Hutchison helped build NerdWallet's editorial operation and has directed coverage across banking, investing, taxes and insurance. He now leads a team exploring new verticals. Before joining NerdWallet, he was an editor and programmer at ESPN and an editor at the San Jose Mercury News.

If you were paid dividends during the year, you might receive a form 1099-DIV (or more than one) sometime in February. You need to hang on to it because it can have a big impact on your tax life.

on Priority Tax Relief's website

on Alleviate Tax's website

What is a 1099-DIV form?

A Form 1099-DIV is a record that a company or person who is not your employer paid you at least $10 in dividends

You might receive a 1099-DIV tax form from your brokerage firm because you earned dividends on your investments.

The sender also provides a copy to the IRS and the state. A Form 1099-DIV will have your Social Security number or taxpayer identification number on it, which means the IRS will know you’ve received dividends — and it will know if you don’t report that income on your tax return.

Dividends are taxable income, but simply receiving a 1099-DIV tax form doesn’t necessarily mean you owe taxes on that money

» MORE: How to find a CPA or tax accountant near you

1099-DIV

What do I do with a 1099-DIV form?

You use your Form 1099-DIV to prepare your tax return. It helps you figure out how much income you received during the year. You’ll report that income in different places on your tax return, depending on what kind of income it was.

If you need help estimating how dividend income on a Form 1099-DIV could affect your tax bill, check out our free tax calculator.

What does my 1099 tax form mean for my tax situation?

If you received a Form 1099-DIV from a brokerage firm or other entity because you have investments or accounts that earned dividends, you might also get a few other 1099 tax forms in the mail.

1099-INT

If you earned $10 or more in interest from a bank, brokerage or other financial institution, you might receive a 1099-INT.

1099-OID

You might receive Form 1099-OID if you bought bonds, notes or other financial instruments at a discount to the face value or redemption value at maturity. Typically, the instrument must have a maturity of more than one year

1099-PATR

If you belong to a co-op and received at least $10 in patronage dividends, expect to see Form 1099-PATR in your mailbox.

1099-R

If you got distributions from a pension, retirement plan, profit-sharing program, an IRA or an annuity, you might receive a 1099-R. (Remember, many retirement plans are tax-advantaged, so this form might be simple record-keeping on behalf of the IRS.) If you took a loan from your retirement plan, you might have to treat it as a distribution, which means it might be on this form, too, as well as permanent and total disability payments under life insurance contracts.

1099-CAP

You might receive a 1099-CAP if you hold shares of a corporation that was acquired or underwent a big change in capital structure and you got cash, stock or other property as a result.

» MORE: This quiz can help you see if it's time to get a financial advisor

on Priority Tax Relief's website

on Alleviate Tax's website

Helpful resources

on Anthem Tax Services's website

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on Anthem Tax Services's website