1099-MISC

Learn about tax for non-wage income and other payments based on IRS rules and regulations.

Form 1099-M

Form 1099-MISC is used to report payments made to a person or business that is not being paid as an employee of Columbia University. These payments are called “non-employee compensation.” Form 1099-MISC is required when total payments for the tax year exceed the tax liability dollar threshold. For the 2026 tax year, the tax liability dollar threshold is $2,000. 

The form is provided by the University to the IRS and to the person or business that received payment. It will be mailed to recipients by January 31st of the following year.

On Form 1099-MISC, the income earned will be recorded but there will not be any deductions for federal, state or local income taxes or social security, etc. Form 1099 recipients are considered non-employees. Therefore, the University is not required to pay tax or make withholdings on these payments. These recipients are obligated to make their own tax deductions and forward payments to the IRS.
 
Typically the 1099-MISC Forms are given to independent contractors (or freelancers) as a record of the income they received. They are also issued for the following type of payments when the annual total exceeds the tax liability dollar threshold stated above:

  • Prizes
  • Gifts
  • Awards - Honoraria
  • Independent Contractors
  • Consultants
  • Subcontractors
  • Non-employees
  • Employees providing services outside of their regular duties/hours
  • Study Subjects
  • Study Participants
  • Patient Donors
  • Partnerships
  • LLCs
  • Law Firms
  • Payments for Rents & Royalties
  • Payments for Medical Services
     

The IRS requires that Columbia have a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) on file for every person or business that receives a reportable or taxable payment. This information is provided on Form W-9. US Citizens and Resident Aliens are required to complete a Form W-9 before receiving any payments from the University. A TIN can be any of the following: a Social Security Number (SSN) an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Still have questions?

If you still have questions regarding your 1099-MISC you can submit a question via the completion of this ServiceNow Form or by calling the Finance Service Center at 212-854-2122.