I received a 1099-NEC from a company I've never worked for - what should I do?
Title: I received a 1099-NEC from a company I've never worked for - what should I do? 1 So I just got this 1099-NEC in the mail from Alphabet Holdings (the parent company of Google) and I'm completely confused. I've never done any work for them whatsoever. I don't have a website, my Instagram has like 10 posts total, and I definitely don't make content that would generate income. The 1099 claims they paid me $1,427 last year which is absolutely ridiculous. I've never seen this money! The only interaction I've had with Google financially was when I got a few refunds for some apps I bought in their Play Store that didn't work right, but that was maybe $30 tops. Is this some kind of scam? Identity theft? Do I need to report this to the IRS before I file? I'm seriously stressed about this because I don't want to be on the hook for taxes on money I never received!
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Mei Zhang
7 This definitely sounds like either an error on Google's part or potentially identity theft. You need to take several steps to address this: First, contact XXVI Holdings/Google directly through their tax department. Explain that you received a 1099-NEC but never performed any services for them. Ask them to verify the information they have on file and request they issue a corrected 1099-NEC showing $0 if appropriate. Second, check your credit reports to ensure no one has opened accounts in your name. This 1099 could be an indication someone is using your SSN. Third, if Google confirms this is an error but you still receive a 1099, you'll need to report it on your tax return but then offset the income. On Schedule 1, report the $1,427 as income, then deduct the same amount on Schedule 1, line 24 with the description "Erroneously reported income - 1099-NEC issued in error" or similar wording. Lastly, document all communications with Google about this issue in case of future questions from the IRS.
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Mei Zhang
•12 Thanks for the advice! Do you think I should also notify the IRS directly about this error? I'm worried if I just handle it on my return, they might flag me for an audit or something.
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Mei Zhang
•7 You don't necessarily need to notify the IRS directly before filing. The proper reporting on your tax return (showing the income and then the offsetting deduction) is usually sufficient. The IRS receives information returns like 1099s, but they expect taxpayers to correct errors on their returns. If you're particularly concerned, you can include a brief explanation with your tax return (Form 8275 Disclosure Statement) that details the situation, but this isn't required. The most important thing is documenting your communications with Google showing you attempted to resolve the error.
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Mei Zhang
5 After facing a similar issue with an incorrect 1099 last year, I found that using taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) completely saved me. Their document analysis tool identified the discrepancy immediately and guided me through exactly how to handle it on my return. They have a specific feature for handling erroneous 1099s that walks you through the documentation you need and how to report it correctly. I was worried about getting flagged by the IRS, but their system helped me prepare everything properly so I could confidently file my return with the right documentation. The peace of mind was honestly worth it since these incorrect reporting situations can be such a headache.
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Mei Zhang
•8 How exactly does taxr.ai handle this kind of situation? Does it just give advice or does it actually help with the filing process? I'm not super tax-savvy so I'm worried about messing something up.
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Mei Zhang
•14 I'm skeptical about tax services that claim to handle unusual situations. Did you have to talk to an actual tax professional or was it all automated? I've had bad experiences with tax software that couldn't handle anything outside the norm.
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Mei Zhang
•5 The service actually analyzes your specific documents and provides personalized guidance. In my case with the incorrect 1099, it identified the issue and provided step-by-step instructions for handling it properly on my return, including the exact forms and line numbers to use. It's not just automated general advice - the system actually looks at your specific situation and documents. You can upload the incorrect 1099 and any correspondence with the company, and it helps you prepare the proper documentation. It's designed specifically for situations that fall outside the standard tax scenarios that basic software struggles with.
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Mei Zhang
14 Just wanted to follow up and say I actually tried taxr.ai after posting my skeptical comment. I was genuinely surprised by how helpful it was! I uploaded my incorrect 1099 and some emails from the company that issued it, and the system guided me through exactly how to document everything properly. The analysis flagged things I would've completely missed on my own, like specific reporting requirements for disputed income. It even created a custom letter template I could use when communicating with the company. Definitely more comprehensive than I expected for handling these unusual tax situations.
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Mei Zhang
10 If you're struggling to get through to Google's tax department (which can be nearly impossible), I'd recommend using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to actually reach a human at the IRS. I had a similar issue with an incorrect 1099 and was getting nowhere with the company. After weeks of frustration, I used Claimyr's service and they got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes instead of the usual 2+ hour wait. You can see how it works in their demo video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The IRS agent was able to make notes in my file about the disputed 1099 and gave me specific guidance on how to file my return to avoid triggering automatic flags in their system. This saved me from a potential audit headache.
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Mei Zhang
•3 Wait, how does this even work? I thought it was impossible to get through to the IRS without waiting forever. Is this legit or some kind of scam?
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Mei Zhang
•18 Sounds too good to be true. I've literally spent DAYS trying to reach the IRS. There's no way some service can magically get you through when millions of others are calling. I'm calling BS on this.
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Mei Zhang
•10 It's actually a completely legitimate service that uses an automated system to handle the waiting for you. Instead of you personally sitting on hold for hours, their system navigates the IRS phone tree and waits in the queue. Once it reaches an actual agent, it calls you and connects you directly. The technology isn't anything magical - it's just automating the painful waiting process. The IRS doesn't prioritize these calls differently; Claimyr just handles the hold time so you don't have to. Many tax professionals actually use similar services because the hold times have become so ridiculous.
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Mei Zhang
18 I need to apologize and correct myself. After posting my skeptical comment, I was still desperate enough to try Claimyr because I'd been trying to reach the IRS for weeks about an incorrect 1099 situation. I was shocked when they actually got me through to an IRS representative in about 25 minutes. The agent confirmed exactly what I needed to do about the incorrect 1099 and added notes to my account so it wouldn't trigger automatic flags. This literally saved me hours of frustration and gave me clear direction from an official source. I'm normally the first person to call out services that seem too good to be true, but I have to admit this one actually delivered. If you're dealing with this 1099 issue, getting official guidance straight from the IRS might be worth it.
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Mei Zhang
23 This happened to my brother last year with a different company. Turns out someone had stolen his identity and was working as a contractor using his SSN. Definitely check your credit reports ASAP and consider putting a freeze on your credit while you sort this out. Also, file an identity theft affidavit with the IRS using Form 14039 if you confirm someone else is using your info. The sooner you report it, the easier it is to clean up the mess.
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Mei Zhang
•16 How long did it take your brother to resolve everything? I'm worried this could drag on for months if it's actually identity theft.
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Mei Zhang
•23 It took about 3-4 months total to completely resolve everything. The credit freeze was immediate and stopped further damage. The IRS part took longest - about 2 months to process the identity theft affidavit, then another month or so to clean up the tax issues. The most important thing is documenting everything. He kept a detailed log of all communications, sent everything certified mail, and followed up regularly. Being proactive made a huge difference in how quickly things got resolved.
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Mei Zhang
2 Quick question - has anyone successfully gotten a company to actually revoke an incorrect 1099 after it's been issued? I'm dealing with something similar and the company is saying they can't just cancel it once it's sent to the IRS.
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Mei Zhang
•19 Yes! I had this happen with a client payment system. They initially refused to cancel the incorrect 1099, but after I escalated to a supervisor and sent them IRS Publication 1281 (which specifically discusses correcting information returns), they issued a corrected 1099-NEC with $0 in Box 1. The key is getting to someone who actually understands tax reporting requirements.
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