"Unofficial" 1099-MISC forms

[Patrick Woodard]

Hi,

I have a strange question.  I am trying to mail out my 1099MISC forms to contractors, but I can't seem to find an "official" IRS form.  Their website says that you have to order them from them.  My father has turbo tax, and he can print them, but all copies are black, no red one for the irs.  We use buildium, and for some reason, they will only let you efile, and charge to do it.  I would go ahead and do it, but a couple of the contractors refused to give their tax id numbers, and buildium won't let me put "refused" in the place for taxid.  

So my question is, is there any problem with just sending an "unofficial" one, seems kind of a dumb thing, but the irs.....  The irs claims that they can penalize you for not using the correct official forms.  How much?  I wish I had more time, but Monday 2/1 is that last day to mail them.  Anyone have any answers or ideas?

Thx.

[Linda Weygant]

You've actually got until February 28 to mail the IRS its copies.

You should order the forms from the IRS and print them on their red form and send them back if you don't want to E-File, but definitely mail out the vendor copies before Monday.

In the future, never pay a contractor until after you have their W-9.  For this year, document the efforts you made to get the W-9 and keep it on file in the event the IRS asks.  You should also create a written company policy to not use contractors who refuse to give you a W-9.  While you're at it, get their certificates of worker's comp insurance and their general liability insurance certificates as well so you can keep those on file.