Form 1099‑DIV (Dividends and Distributions)

Key takeaways

• Form 1099‑DIV reports dividends and distributions paid to a taxpayer by banks, brokerages, mutual funds, and other financial institutions.
• Issuers must furnish the form to recipients and file with the IRS, generally by January 31.
• You’ll receive a 1099‑DIV only if your dividends/distributions for the year exceed $10.
• Report each 1099‑DIV on your tax return — either directly on Form 1040 or on Schedule B if required.
• Some retirement and pension accounts are exempt from issuing 1099‑DIV.

What it is and who receives it

Form 1099‑DIV documents dividend and distribution payments you received during the calendar year. You may receive more than one 1099‑DIV (for different accounts or payers). Financial institutions send a copy to you and file a copy with the IRS.

You generally receive a 1099‑DIV only if cumulative dividends and distributions received from an issuer exceed $10. If you think you should have received one but did not, contact the payer for a replacement.

Common items reported on the form

Typical boxes on Form 1099‑DIV include:
* Ordinary dividends (Box 1a)
Qualified dividends (Box 1b) — may be taxed at lower long‑term capital gains rates
Total capital gain distributions (Box 2a)
Nondividend distributions (Box 3)
Federal income tax withheld
Foreign tax paid and foreign country codes
State tax withheld and state information
* Special boxes for items such as unrecaptured section 1250 gain, section 1202 gain, and collectibles gains

The form may also report exempt‑interest dividends and specified private activity bond interest dividends.

Who is exempt from receiving a 1099‑DIV

Certain retirement and employer plan accounts typically do not issue 1099‑DIV, including:
* IRAs
Money‑purchase pension plans
Profit‑sharing plans and other qualified retirement accounts

How to report 1099‑DIV on your tax return

• Enter the dividend and distribution amounts from each Form 1099‑DIV on Form 1040.
• If you received more than $1,500 of taxable interest and/or ordinary dividends during the year, you must file Schedule B (Form 1040) in addition to Form 1040.
• Qualified dividends and capital gain distributions may be taxed at preferential rates; short‑term capital gains are taxed as ordinary income.

If you have foreign accounts or foreign income reported on the 1099‑DIV, be aware of any FATCA or other foreign‑account reporting obligations.

Practical steps

1. Gather all 1099‑DIV forms you received before preparing your return.
2. Confirm payer information and amounts match your records (brokerage statements, mutual fund statements).
3. Report the amounts on Form 1040 (and Schedule B if required).
4. If a form is missing or incorrect, contact the issuer promptly to request a corrected copy.
5. Download official forms, instructions, and detailed guidance from the IRS website as needed.

Where to get the form and more information

Form 1099‑DIV and the IRS instructions are available at IRS.gov.

Sources: Internal Revenue Service — Form 1099‑DIV and Instructions for Form 1099‑DIV.