The world of healthcare has changed drastically. Thanks to surging demand following the Coronavirus pandemic and persistent staffing shortages affecting hospitals nationwide, healthcare facilities have turned to healthcare providers who work as independent contractors. These contractor workers are brought in as needed, and on a temporary basis. Though it comes with its fair share of volatility, HCPs have moved to work independently thanks to the higher rates and greater professional flexibility afforded to them.
It is important to remain aware of the unique challenges, however. Now that you are working on an independent contractor basis, you now have to handle your finances. Your facilities or the agencies you work with do not automatically deduct tax from your compensation. As a result, you need to handle your tax responsibilities on your own. For HCPs who are intimidated by this prospect, worry no longer! We have provided a full guide on how to navigate 1099 forms for contract nurses. By the end of this, financial compliance should prove to be a breeze .
What is a 1099 Form?
Before we move any further, we need to answer one question: what is a 1099 form? Why do contract nurses need to get used to handling them? A 1099 form is an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) document used to report income earned by individuals who are not classified as employees but rather as independent contractors. In the context of contractor nurses, these forms are used to report the compensation paid for their services.
The most common 1099 form for contractor nurses is the 1099-NEC (Nonemployee Compensation). It serves as a record of the income they’ve received from their clients or employers during the tax year.
When Is a 1099 Form Required for Contractor Nurses?
1099 forms are not provided for every payment provided to a contractor nurse. Before you drown yourself in unnecessary paperwork, this section explains the situations when you will be asked to provide a 1099-NEC.
In general, you are required to provide a 1099-NEC to a contractor nurse if you paid them $600 or more for their services during the tax year. This $600 threshold serves as a reporting trigger and is set by the IRS. For payments below this specific threshold, a 1099 form is totally unnecessary. That being said, it is still a good practice to maintain accurate records of all payments made to contractors. Keep in mind that this threshold applies to the total amount paid to the contractor nurse over the course of the tax year, not individual payments.
Gathering Information for the 1099-NEC Form
Once you’ve determined that you need to issue a 1099-NEC to a contractor nurse, you’ll need to gather some essential information before filling out the form:
- Contractor’s Information: This includes the contractor nurse’s legal name, mailing address, and their Social Security Number (SSN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). It’s vital to ensure that you have accurate and up-to-date information to avoid errors in the form.
- Payment Records: Compile all payment records, including fees, wages, and any other compensation paid to the contractor nurse during the tax year. Accurate payment records are crucial for filling out the 1099-NEC form correctly.
Completing the 1099-NEC Form
If you want to comply with tax laws, you have to make sure you are filling out your 1099-NEC with accurate information. To avoid potential blunders, here is a step-by-step guide to the fields you will be asked to fill out:
- Payer Information: Start by entering your information as the payer. This includes your legal name, address, and your own TIN or EIN (Employer Identification Number).
- Recipient Information: Enter the contractor nurse’s information, including their legal name, mailing address, and SSN or TIN.
- Box 1: Non-employee Compensation: This is where you report the total compensation paid to the contractor nurse during the tax year. Make sure to include all forms of payment, such as fees and wages.
- Box 4: Federal Income Tax Withheld: If you have withheld any federal income tax from the payments made to the contractor nurse, report it in this box.
- Box 5: State Tax Withheld: If applicable, report any state income tax withheld in this box.
- Box 7: NEC: This box is reserved for any miscellaneous income, such as prizes, awards, or other income. It is less commonly used for contractor nurses.
- Box 14: Gross Proceeds Paid to an Attorney: You may need to use this box if you’ve made payments to an attorney who is not your employee.
Even once you are done with your form, you want to review the information you have provided. You want to be absolutely sure that you are providing accurate information, before you submit your documents or make copies.
Providing Copies of the 1099-NEC Form
Once you’ve filled out the 1099-NEC form correctly, you have specific obligations regarding providing copies to the contractor nurse and the IRS:
- Recipient Copy: You are required to provide a copy of the completed 1099-NEC form to the contractor nurse by January 31st of the year following the tax year in which you made payments. This gives the contractor nurse the information they need to report their income on their own tax return.
- IRS Copy: You must also send a copy of the 1099-NEC form to the IRS by January 31st. Additionally, you should include a Form 1096, which serves as a transmittal form summarizing all the 1099-NEC forms you’re submitting.
Retaining Records and Compliance
Compliance with tax reporting requirements goes beyond just filling out and sending 1099 forms. In the event of an IRS audit, you want four years worth of maintained records that you can submit to the government, upon their request. These records should include copies of the 1099-NEC forms, payment records, and any correspondence related to tax reporting.
Alternatively, you can seek the counsel of a qualified expert or tax consultant. These professionals can help assuage any concerns you may have. In the event of a complex tax situation, their assistance is also invaluable.
Conclusion
It is clear that contractor nurses are not going anywhere. As long as staffing shortages remain persistent, and hospitals are looking to fill in temporary vacancies, temporary HCPs hold a strong niche in the healthcare market. Increasing your understanding of 1099-NEC forms and independent contractor tax filing in general will make life easier for you and future facilities, in the long run. It may seem complex at first, but it is totally navigable with diligence, knowhow and the right assistance.
With the proper mindset and preparation, you can submit your requirements for IRS compliance in no time at all, while avoiding headache-inducing tax issues in the future. Knowledgeable contractor nurses also make life easier for facilities, who also have a lot of paperwork to fill on their end. As long as you keep updated with tax legislation, maintain records for the future, and seek professional consultation when necessary, you are set up for success in this exciting and constantly changing healthcare industry.
