do you get a 1099 for stocks

Do you get a 1099 for stocks?

Yes — in taxable brokerage accounts, brokers typically issue 1099 tax forms for reportable stock activity. In short: do you get a 1099 for stocks? Yes — most brokerages provide a 1099‑B for stock sales, a 1099‑DIV for dividends, and a 1099‑INT for interest; many firms bundle these into a single year‑end composite statement.

This guide explains what those forms report, who issues them and when to expect them, how to use the information when you file taxes, common exceptions, best recordkeeping practices, and where to get authoritative guidance. It’s written for U.S. federal reporting in taxable brokerage accounts and aims to help beginners and experienced investors reconcile year‑end tax documents with confidence. As of January 22, 2026, according to the IRS, reporting requirements for Forms 1099 remain in effect and brokers continue to provide them to account owners and the IRS.

Overview of 1099 reporting for stock investors

The 1099 series of forms exists to report types of taxable income and proceeds to both taxpayers and the IRS. For stock investors, these forms create the paper (and electronic) trail linking trading and income events to your tax return.

In general, brokerages, transfer agents, and similar financial institutions are required to furnish 1099s when reportable events occur in non‑retirement (taxable) accounts. That obligation helps the IRS verify that individuals report gains, losses, dividends, and interest correctly on Form 1040, Schedule D, and related schedules and forms.

Why it matters: accurate 1099s reduce audit risk and make tax filing easier. Still, you remain responsible for reporting correct figures even if a 1099 arrives late or has errors.

Which 1099 forms relate to stocks

Several 1099 variants commonly relate to stock investing. Know which form covers which event so you can map broker statements to your tax return.

Form 1099‑B (Proceeds from Broker and Barter Exchange Transactions)

Form 1099‑B reports sales and other dispositions of stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, and similar securities. Typical fields on a 1099‑B include:

• Description of the security sold (ticker, shares).
• Date acquired and date sold (important for short‑ vs long‑term classification).
• Gross proceeds from the sale.
• Cost basis (if reported by the broker) and whether the basis was reported to the IRS.
• Indicator for short‑term or long‑term gain/loss.
• Wash sale disallowed loss adjustments (if any).
• Federal and state income tax withheld (rare in typical brokerage sales, but possible in certain cases).

The 1099‑B is the primary form you use to populate Form 8949 and Schedule D to report capital gains or losses.

Form 1099‑DIV (Dividends and Distributions)

Form 1099‑DIV reports dividend income and capital gain distributions from stocks and funds. Important distinctions on 1099‑DIV:

• Ordinary (nonqualified) dividends — taxed at ordinary income rates.
• Qualified dividends — taxed at preferential long‑term capital gain rates (if holding requirements are met).
• Capital gain distributions from mutual funds or ETFs.
• Foreign tax paid and any backup withholding withheld.

Dividends on Form 1099‑DIV flow into Form 1040 and may also affect calculations for QBI or net investment income surtax thresholds.

Form 1099‑INT (Interest)

Form 1099‑INT reports interest income from cash sweep accounts, certain bonds, and other interest‑bearing instruments. While not specific to equity trades, interest reported on 1099‑INT can come from cash balances in your brokerage account, money market funds, and fixed‑income securities held alongside stocks.

Brokers often include 1099‑INT details in a composite tax document if they issue a combined statement.

Composite 1099 / Year‑End Summary

Many brokerages deliver a single composite statement that contains sections for 1099‑B, 1099‑DIV, and 1099‑INT. Delivery often happens in waves: dividend and interest statements may arrive earlier, with 1099‑B sections completed later due to complex basis or corporate action processing. Expect digital copies in your brokerage portal and paper copies if you’ve opted in.

If you use Bitget for trading or custody, Bitget will provide year‑end tax documents for taxable accounts as required; check Bitget’s tax center or account documents section when forms are released.

Who issues 1099s and when to expect them

The parties that issue 1099s include brokers, transfer agents, mutual fund companies, and plan administrators. These issuers supply a copy to the taxpayer and file the same information with the IRS.

Timing notes:

• Typical mailing/electronic availability runs from late January through mid/late February, though some issuers deliver in waves into March for complex situations.
• Deadlines depend on the specific 1099 type and IRS schedules; brokers strive to meet IRS deadlines but may issue corrected forms after initial delivery.
• If you don’t receive a 1099 by mid‑February, check your brokerage portal; many firms no longer mail paper forms by default.

Keep in mind that delivery timing varies by issuer and by complexity of corporate actions affecting basis reporting.

What information appears on a 1099‑B and why it matters

Key boxes and fields on Form 1099‑B — and why you need them:

• Description: Identifies the security so you can match the sale to trade confirmations.
• Date acquired / Date sold: These determine whether the gain/loss is short‑term (held one year or less) or long‑term (held more than one year), which affects tax rates.
• Proceeds: Gross amount you received for the sale — used to compute gain or loss.
• Cost basis: Your purchase price plus adjustments (fees, commissions, reinvested dividends where applicable). If the broker reports basis to the IRS, it will be shown and flagged.
• Basis reported to IRS indicator: Brokers mark whether they reported basis to the IRS. If basis was not reported, you must track and report your own cost basis on Form 8949.
• Wash sale disallowed loss: If you sold a security at a loss and repurchased it within the wash sale window, the 1099‑B may show the disallowed loss amount — this affects loss deductions and adjusted basis of replacement shares.
• Short/long‑term classification: Brokers often separate transactions into categories for Form 8949/Schedule D.

Why it matters: these items are the foundation of Form 8949 and Schedule D entries. Mismatches between your trade confirmations and 1099‑B fields are common reasons taxpayers need corrected forms or adjustments on Form 8949.

Covered vs non‑covered securities and basis reporting

Understanding covered vs non‑covered securities helps explain why some sales show basis on the 1099‑B while others don’t.

• Covered securities: For many securities acquired on or after specific IRS effective dates (depending on the security type), brokers are required to track and report cost basis to the IRS. Examples include shares purchased after brokers’ reporting start dates for stocks, mutual funds, and certain ETFs.
• Non‑covered securities: For older holdings or certain security types acquired before the broker’s reporting requirement date, brokers may not report basis to the IRS.

Brokers indicate whether basis was reported to the IRS on the 1099‑B. When basis is reported (covered), the IRS already has that number, which reduces the need for you to explain how you computed gain or loss — but you still must confirm accuracy. When basis is not reported (non‑covered), you must provide correct basis information on Form 8949.

Why it matters: mismatched or missing basis entries are a frequent source of tax reporting errors and may trigger requests from the IRS for additional documentation.

Common special cases and exceptions

Certain account types, transaction types, and investor statuses change how (and whether) 1099s are issued.

Retirement accounts (IRAs, 401(k)s)

Trades that occur within tax‑advantaged retirement accounts (IRAs, 401(k)s, etc.) generally are not reported on 1099‑B, because gains and losses accrue tax‑deferred (or tax‑exempt for Roth). Instead, distributions from such accounts are reported on Form 1099‑R when funds leave the retirement account.

If you hold the same security in both retirement and taxable accounts, only the taxable account activity generates 1099‑B/1099‑DIV/1099‑INT for those events.

Small or non‑reportable transactions

Some very small transactions, fractional‑share activity, or certain transfers may not result in a 1099. However, lack of a 1099 does not relieve you of reporting responsibility. For example:

• If you sold shares and received proceeds but did not receive a 1099, you must still report the gain or loss.
• Fractional‑share sales may be aggregated or treated differently by issuers; check your broker’s year‑end summary.

Corporate actions, transfers, and reorganizations

Mergers, spin‑offs, stock splits, and tender offers can complicate tax reporting. These events may generate entries on the 1099‑B or separate supplemental statements describing how to compute basis adjustments or recognize gain/loss.

Brokers may provide worksheets for complex corporate actions, but you should retain original confirmations and any issuer‑provided tax statements.

International/non‑U.S. accounts and W‑8 forms

Non‑U.S. investors and accounts held by nonresident aliens follow different reporting and withholding rules. A valid W‑8BEN (or other W‑8 series form) typically affects whether U.S. brokers issue 1099s and whether withholding applies to dividends or other income.

If you hold U.S. securities in a nonresident account without appropriate forms, the broker may apply U.S. withholding tax and different reporting practices. Consult your broker’s international tax guidance and, if needed, a tax professional familiar with cross‑border reporting.

How to use the 1099s when filing taxes

Practical steps for turning 1099s into tax return entries:

1. Gather all 1099 forms (1099‑B, 1099‑DIV, 1099‑INT) and reconcile them to your trade confirmations and year‑end account statements.

2. For sales reported on 1099‑B:

   • Use Form 8949 to report individual transactions when required (for example, when basis was not reported to the IRS or when adjustments are necessary).
   • Use Schedule D to summarize short‑term and long‑term totals carried from Form 8949.

3. Report dividends from 1099‑DIV directly on Form 1040 (or related schedules), distinguishing qualified dividends as required.

4. Report interest from 1099‑INT on Form 1040.

5. If backup withholding or federal withholding appears on any 1099, treat it as tax withheld on Form 1040 (it reduces your tax liability or increases your refund).

6. If the 1099‑B shows wash sale disallowed losses, apply the adjustments when computing the basis of replacement shares and make the corresponding entries on Form 8949.

7. If your broker reports incorrect basis, file the correct numbers on Form 8949 and include explanation codes where appropriate; keep documentation to support your adjustments.

Note: For many taxpayers with straightforward trades and accurate broker basis reporting, some or all transactions may be reported directly on Schedule D without separate Form 8949 listings — but verify the IRS instructions for the tax year in question.

What to do if your 1099 is missing or incorrect

Steps to take when you don’t receive a 1099 on time or find errors:

• Check your brokerage or Bitget account portal first; electronic delivery is common and sometimes faster than mailed copies.
• Contact your broker’s tax or support team to request a duplicate or corrected 1099. Ask for a timeline if corrections are in progress.
• Keep and use your own trade confirmations and monthly statements to prepare an accurate tax return even if a 1099 is late.
• If a corrected 1099 arrives after you file, determine whether you need to file an amended return or if the differences are minor and can be documented for your records. Consult a tax professional for substantial discrepancies.
• Retain documentation for cost basis (trade confirmations, brokerage statements, records of reinvested dividends) for at least the IRS statute of limitations period and likely longer for historical basis tracking.

If a broker indicates a late correction is forthcoming, file on time using your records rather than waiting indefinitely. The IRS prefers timely filing with good documentation over delayed filing.

Common issues, pitfalls, and troubleshooting

Frequent problems investors encounter with 1099s and recommended responses:

• Incorrect or missing basis: Request corrected 1099; if not corrected in time, report correct basis on Form 8949 and keep supporting records.

• Omitted wash sales: Compare your trade history to wash sale entries on 1099‑B; if the broker omitted wash sales, compute and report adjustments on Form 8949 and retain calculations.

• Mismatched dates or proceeds: Reconcile trade confirmations; request corrections if the broker’s numbers are wrong.

• Dividend classification errors: If qualified dividends are misclassified, ask for correction; you may need broker documentation to substantiate the correct classification.

• Aggregated or adjusted fractional shares: Confirm broker’s aggregation method and ensure your reported capital gain/loss reflects the broker’s consolidation if any.

When issues are complex or corrections are denied, seek professional tax advice. Keep communication records with the broker in case IRS inquiries arise.

Recordkeeping and best practices for stock investors

Good records simplify year‑end reconciliation and reduce confusion when brokers report information incorrectly.

Recommended items to keep and how long:

• Trade confirmations: Keep indefinitely for basis verification; at minimum, retain for the period relevant to potential IRS inquiries and for tracking long‑term basis.
• Monthly and year‑end statements: Retain for several years; useful for reconciling dividends, interest, and corporate actions.
• Documentation of reinvested dividends: Important for computing adjusted cost basis.
• Records of corporate actions and issuer tax notices: Needed to adjust basis for splits, mergers, spin‑offs, and return of capital events.
• Worksheets or spreadsheets summarizing purchases, sales, and basis adjustments: Helpful for tax preparation and audit support.

Use broker cost‑basis tools where available to validate numbers. Perform an early review of year‑end tax documents so you can request corrections well before tax‑filing deadlines.

Bitget account holders should check Bitget’s tax resources and use the account download features to obtain transaction histories and year‑end summaries that help assemble accurate tax filings.

Where to get authoritative guidance

For current and authoritative information, consult primary sources and official instructions. Key resources include:

• IRS Instructions for Form 1099‑B and related IRS publications (refer to the IRS for up‑to‑date instructions and deadline changes).
• Your brokerage’s tax center and help pages (for example, Bitget’s tax documentation and year‑end reporting FAQs).
• Official tax filing instructions for Form 8949, Schedule D, Form 1040, and Form 1099 variants.
• Reputable tax preparation vendors and major broker help centers that publish plain‑language guidance on interpreting 1099s.

When in doubt about complex corporate actions, multi‑account cost basis, or cross‑border tax matters, consult a qualified tax professional familiar with securities tax reporting.

References and further reading

The material in this article draws on authoritative tax guidance and major brokerage help centers. For more detail, consult these sources directly (search the organization name and form):

• IRS — Instructions for Form 1099‑B
• IRS — Form 1099‑DIV instructions
• IRS — Form 1099‑INT instructions
• TurboTax — What is Form 1099‑B
• Fidelity — What is Form 1099‑B?
• Charles Schwab — What is a 1099 Composite Tax Form?
• Vanguard — Tax forms you may receive
• NerdWallet — What Is Form 1099‑B?
• Computershare — Tax season: what you need to know
• Equiniti — Tax Form 1099‑B FAQs

As of January 22, 2026, according to IRS guidance, brokers remain obligated to furnish accurate 1099 information for reportable transactions. Check the IRS website and your brokerage’s tax center for the most current year‑specific rules.

Practical checklist: preparing for tax season (quick actions)

• Early January: Download your transaction history and statements from your brokerage or trading platform.
• Late January–February: Monitor for 1099 availability in your broker account and verify contact email and delivery preferences.
• When you receive 1099s: Reconcile sales, dividends, and interest with your records. Note any missing basis, wash sale entries, or suspicious figures.
• If corrections needed: Contact your broker immediately, request an ETA for corrections, and document all communications.
• Before filing: If large discrepancies remain, consult a tax professional. Never omit reportable income solely because a 1099 is late; use your own records to file if necessary.

Final notes and next steps

If you asked “do you get a 1099 for stocks,” the practical answer is yes for taxable accounts — and knowing which 1099s you should receive helps you map income and sales to the correct tax forms. Keep clear records, review year‑end documents early, and contact your broker for corrections when needed.

For Bitget users: check the Bitget tax resources and your account documents area for downloadable tax statements and composite 1099 information. If you use Bitget Wallet or Bitget’s brokerage services, ensure your account contact information is current so year‑end forms arrive without delay.

Explore Bitget’s support center to learn how to download transaction histories, and consider exporting CSVs of trades to reconcile basis and proceeds well before filing deadlines.

Further reading and authoritative instructions are available from the IRS and the brokerage tax centers listed above. If your situation involves complex corporate actions, cross‑border holdings, or large corrections, seek guidance from a qualified tax professional.

Ready to get your documents in order? Start by downloading your year‑to‑date trade history from your Bitget account and comparing it to any 1099s you receive — early reconciliation saves time and reduces surprises when filing taxes.