Compare commonly confused IRS information returns.
Start with the reporting event, account type, and filer role. These side-by-side guides help you identify which IRS instructions to review and connect you directly to the matching template, validator, error guide, and 1099ERICH software page.
Not limited to the comparisons below.
Choose any two forms supported by 1099ERICH and compare their purpose, filing context, template size, and preparation resources.
Choose the pair that matches your question.
These guides focus on forms that share similar names, related accounts, or reporting events that are easy to confuse during year-end preparation.
Miscellaneous payment categories vs. nonemployee compensation for services.
Compare forms →1099-Qvs.1099-QAForm 1099-Q reports distributions from qualified tuition programs under section 529 and Coverdell ESAs under section 530. Form 1099-QA reports distributions from qualified ABLE programs under section 529A.
Compare forms →1099-SAvs.5498-SAForm 1099-SA is the distribution-side form. Form 5498-SA is the contribution and account-information form maintained by the trustee or custodian.
Compare forms →1099-Rvs.5498Form 1099-R generally reports distributions from retirement arrangements. Form 5498 reports IRA contribution and related account information, including certain rollovers, conversions, recharacterizations, and fair market value information.
Compare forms →1099-LSvs.1099-SBForm 1099-LS is generally filed by an acquirer in a reportable policy sale to report payments connected with acquiring an interest in a life insurance contract. Form 1099-SB is generally filed by the issuer after receiving notice of a reportable policy sale or certain transfers to foreign persons, and it reports the seller’s investment in the contract.
Compare forms →1098vs.1098-EForm 1098 is the Mortgage Interest Statement. Form 1098-E is the Student Loan Interest Statement.
Compare forms →1098-Tvs.1098-EForm 1098-T focuses on qualified tuition and related education information reported by eligible educational institutions and other covered filers. Form 1098-E focuses on student loan interest received from borrowers.
Compare forms →3921vs.3922Form 3921 reports the exercise of an incentive stock option under section 422(b). Form 3922 reports certain transfers of stock acquired through an employee stock purchase plan under section 423(c).
Compare forms →1099-QAvs.5498-QAForm 1099-QA reports distributions from ABLE accounts. Form 5498-QA reports ABLE account contributions and related account information.
Compare forms →1099-Qvs.5498-ESAFor a Coverdell ESA, Form 1099-Q reports distributions from the account, while Form 5498-ESA reports contributions, including reportable rollover contributions.
Compare forms →1099-Kvs.1099-NECForm 1099-K is filed by payment settlement entities and certain facilitators for reportable payment card or third-party network transactions. Form 1099-NEC is filed by businesses and other payers to report qualifying nonemployee compensation for services.
Compare forms →1099-Bvs.1099-DAForm 1099-B is the traditional broker and barter-exchange proceeds form for covered securities and other listed transactions. Form 1099-DA is the dedicated digital asset proceeds form for broker transactions.
Compare forms →1099-DIVvs.1099-INTForm 1099-DIV reports dividends and certain other distributions. Form 1099-INT reports interest income and related withholding or tax information.
Compare forms →1099-Avs.1099-CForm 1099-A reports certain acquisitions or abandonments of property securing a debt. Form 1099-C reports certain cancellations of debt. The IRS instructions contain coordination rules when both events occur in the same calendar year.
Compare forms →How to use a form comparison safely
A comparison page is a shortcut to the right source material—not a substitute for the IRS instructions. Use it to narrow the forms you need to research, then confirm the current tax-year rules, thresholds, exceptions, recipient-statement requirements, and electronic-filing instructions before submitting anything.
Once you know the form, use the matching 1099ERICH free template and CSV validator to keep the preparation work separate and consistent.
Move from a free check to the complete 1099ERICH workflow.
The free tools help diagnose individual filing problems. 1099ERICH is the $299 Windows desktop workflow for importing CSV or Excel data, validating records, printing recipient copies, and creating IRIS-ready CSV files.