January 31 is the standard due date for W-2s and 1099-NECs. In 2027, that date falls on a Sunday. Under the IRS weekend-shift rule, any due date landing on a weekend or federal holiday moves to the next business day: February 1, 2027.
When Are W-2s Due in 2027?
Employers must furnish W-2 copies to employees by February 1, 2027 and file Copy A plus Form W-3 with the Social Security Administration by the same date.
The SSA requires electronic filing for employers submitting 10 or more W-2s. Paper filing is available only for smaller employers. Most payroll providers handle SSA submission on your behalf; confirm this before the deadline, since the filing obligation is yours regardless.
Corrected W-2s (Form W-2c) have no fixed annual deadline, but penalties accrue from the original due date of the incorrect form.
When Are 1099-NECs Due in 2027?
Form 1099-NEC reports nonemployee compensation of $2,000 or more for 2026 (see the 1099-NEC threshold update). Both the recipient copy and the IRS copy share the same deadline: February 1, 2027, whether you file on paper or electronically.
If you file 10 or more information returns in total, the IRS requires electronic filing via the FIRE system.
1099-NEC vs. 1099-MISC: Key Deadline Differences
The most common confusion is how 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC treat IRS filing deadlines differently. 1099-NEC has a single February 1 deadline for everything. 1099-MISC splits the recipient copy, the paper IRS deadline, and the electronic IRS deadline across three separate dates.
Note: 1099-MISC recipient copies for amounts in Box 8 (substitute payments) or Box 10 (fish purchases) have a later due date: February 16, 2027. February 15 is Presidents Day in 2027, so the deadline shifts to the following business day.
What Are the Penalties for Late Filing?
Penalties for late information returns are tiered by how late the filing is (IRS Publication 1586, adjusted annually for inflation):
- Filed within 30 days of the due date: $60 per form
- Filed more than 30 days late but by August 1: $130 per form
- Filed after August 1 or not filed: $340 per form
- Intentional disregard: $680 per form, no annual cap
Separate penalties apply for missing the recipient copy deadline independent of the IRS copy penalty. For small businesses with average annual gross receipts of $5 million or less, annual penalty caps are reduced.
Can You Get a Filing Extension?
For most information returns including 1099-MISC, file Form 8809 before the due date to receive an automatic 30-day extension on the IRS copy deadline. This extension does not apply to the recipient copy.
1099-NEC and W-2 are excluded from the automatic extension. If you need additional time for these forms, you must submit Form 8809 with a written explanation of hardship. The IRS grants this only in limited circumstances.
Start gathering contractor W-9s now. If a vendor has not returned their W-9, you may be required to apply 24% backup withholding on future payments and you still need their information to file the 1099.
Need help preparing W-2s or 1099s for your business? Contact TS CPA for a free consultation. We respond within the same day.