1. Get a contractor spreadsheet out of FreshBooks
In FreshBooks, the Expense Report grouped by vendor gives what you paid each contractor. Export it to CSV, then add a tax ID and address column from each contractor's W-9. Menu and report names change between versions, so yours may differ a little.
Only payments for services count toward Box 1; leave out reimbursed expenses and card payments.
2. Convert it
Open the spreadsheet to IRIS 1099-NEC converter, fill in your own business details as the payer, and drop the CSV. It matches your columns, splits names into first and last, works out SSN or EIN, turns state names into codes and puts back the ZIP zeros Excel drops. It lists anything to check, like missing tax IDs or amounts under the filing threshold, and gives you the IRIS CSV, split into files of up to 100 forms.
It runs in your browser, so your contractors' tax IDs never leave your computer. Up to 5 forms are free; more is $49 for the filing season.
3. Upload it to IRIS
- You need an IRIS Transmitter Control Code (TCC). Applying is free but can take weeks, so apply early.
- In the IRIS Taxpayer Portal, choose to upload a CSV with form data and pick the file as downloaded. Don't open and re-save it in Excel first.
- 1099-NECs are due to contractors and the IRS by January 31. Check the IRS instructions for your situation; this isn't tax advice.
More on the change: FIRE is closing and filing moves to IRIS.