Am I allowed to write my own 1099-NEC form for contractor work?

Thanks for the quick response! So even without receiving the actual 1099-NEC form, I can just report it on Schedule C? That's a relief. I was worried I'd be stuck waiting forever for them to send it. Do you think I should reach out to them one more time and specifically mention that I need it for tax purposes, or just go ahead and file without it?

Yes, you can absolutely report the income on Schedule C without having the physical 1099-NEC form. The IRS just wants to make sure you're reporting all your income - they don't require you to have the actual form to file your taxes. I'd recommend sending one final email as documentation that you attempted to get the form, but don't delay filing while waiting for their response. Just be sure you have your own records of the payments received (bank deposits, invoices, etc.) in case there are any questions later.

Does the tool actually help you calculate the self-employment taxes too? I'm in a similar situation but I'm also confused about how to handle the tax payments since nothing was withheld from my checks.

I'm skeptical about these online tools. How does it compare to something like TurboTax or H&R Block? Does it actually give you proper tax advice or just general information?

Yes, the tool absolutely helps calculate self-employment taxes! It breaks down exactly how much you'll owe for both the income tax portion and the self-employment tax portion (Social Security and Medicare). It even helps you figure out if you need to make estimated tax payments for next year. It's different from TurboTax or H&R Block because it specializes in analyzing your specific tax situation and documents rather than just being general tax prep software. It's more like having a tax expert look at your specific scenario and give personalized guidance, especially for situations like missing forms or unusual tax circumstances.

How does that even work? Companies just magically answer the phone because you use this service? Sounds like a scam to me.

Seems sketchy. Wouldn't it be easier to just send a certified letter to the company demanding your 1099? That creates a paper trail for the IRS if there's ever an issue.

It's not magic - they use a system that navigates phone trees and waits on hold for you. When they reach a human, your phone rings and you're connected. Companies often have priority lines that answer faster, and Claimyr finds those pathways. Certified letters can work too, but they take time, and we're in tax season now. The OP needs a solution quickly. I've found that getting a live person on the phone is still the fastest way to get results when you're being ignored. The service just saves you from spending hours on hold.

That's a really good point I hadn't considered. I do have all the deposit records in my bank account, and I kept track of all my invoices in a spreadsheet. Would having these records be sufficient if there's ever a question from the IRS about the amount I report?

Your bank records and invoice spreadsheet are excellent documentation. Keep those records for at least 3 years after filing (the standard IRS lookback period). If there's ever a discrepancy between what you report and what the company reports, these records will be crucial evidence showing exactly what you received. I'd also recommend sending one final email to the company stating the total amount you were paid and that you'll be reporting this amount on your tax return. This creates another documentation trail showing you made a good faith effort to confirm the correct amount.

Yes, you can file Form 3949-A (Information Referral) to report suspected tax law violations, including failure to provide required tax documents. But honestly, it's usually faster to just file your return correctly and move on. The IRS is so backlogged that following up on these reports takes forever.