Do I have to subscribe to QuickBooks Payroll in order to e-file 1099s?

Thanks for getting in touch with the Community, keoki-liftee-kau.

To e-file and e-pay taxes through QuickBooks, you'll need an active payroll subscription. QuickBooks subscriptions come with a 30-day trial for payroll, so it's possible this may explain why you were able to e-file/e-pay last year.

Here's how to turn on payroll if you'd like to:
 

1. Use your Gear icon.
2. Go to Subscriptions and billing under Your Company.
3. Look for QuickBooks Payroll.
4. Select Subscribe. If you don't have a card on file, you'll be prompted to enter payment information.

After subscribing, you'll be able to set up your account, then e-pay and e-file.

If you're using QuickBooks Contractor Payments, you can create and e-file 1099s. If you'd like to sign up, you can do so by setting up direct deposit. You can also review our different plans for paying contractors.

Please don't hesitate to send a reply if there's any additional questions. Have an awesome Thursday!

Thank you so much for your reply, @ZackE !  To clarify, when you say, "To e-file and e-pay taxes," you mean e-filing 1099s as well?  I don't pay anything or file taxes through QBO.  Additionally, you are also saying that even last year QBO required a Payroll subscription to e-file 1099s?  The QBO customer service rep I spoke to recently told me this was a new requirement.

@keoki-liftee-kau 

Explore this app to integrate with QBO and file your 1099 without QB Payroll.

https://blue.mbsy.co/6tJhcz

I am happy to assist you with your follow-up question about e-filing your taxes in QuickBooks Online@keoki-liftee-kau.

To answer your question, yes, you can e-file 1099 forms in QuickBooks Online. However, you will need to have the QuickBooks Online (QBO) Contractor Payments feature and a QuickBooks Online Payroll Core, Premium, or Elite subscription to do so. If you don't have these features, you can still prepare the 1099 forms within QBO and then file them manually.

If you require more information on filing 1099s, I recommend checking out these articles:

• Create and file 1099s with QuickBooks Online
• Print your 1099 and 1096 forms

You can also refer to this article to get answers to your 1099 related questions: Get answers to your 1099 questions.

If you need further assistance with your 1099, please let me know in the comment section below. I am here to help you. Have a great day!

Thank you for your response, @AbegailS_ !  Can you tell me how I can find out if I have the QuickBooks Online (QBO) Contractor Payments feature and a QuickBooks Online Payroll Core, Premium, or Elite subscription?    Maybe I have these things and don't know it, and that's why I was able to e-file 1099s last year.

Thank you, again!

Thank you for your response, @AbegailS_ !  Can you tell me how I can find out if I have the QuickBooks Online (QBO) Contractor Payments feature and a QuickBooks Online Payroll Core, Premium, or Elite subscription?    Maybe I have these things and don't know it, and that's why I was able to e-file 1099s last year.

Thank you, again!

Hi there, @keoki-liftee-kau. 

Let me chime in and help you check your subscription to QuickBooks Online.

I agree with the steps that @ZackE provided. You can check your subscription in the Gear icon, then click the Subscriptions and Billing section. In there, you'll also see other subscriptions that you can subscribe like the QuickBooks Online Payroll Core, Premium, or Elite. 

Moreover, you can also contact our Support team to check and verify your subscription. They have the right tools to review your account securely. 

Here's how:

1. Go to the Help menu and select the Search tab.
2. Then, click Contact Us.
3. Then, enter a brief description of your concern and select Continue.
4. Lastly, choose either Start a Chat or Get a Callback to start connecting with them.

Additionally, you can review the Year-end checklist for QuickBooks Online Payroll to wrap up this year's payroll and taxes.

Keep us posted if you have other concerns about managing your subscription and e-filling 1099 in QuickBooks. Our team will be here to help you out. Have a great day!