IRS TIN Matching Guide
Use local cleanup first, then understand when the official IRS TIN Matching service can check a payee name/TIN combination against IRS records before filing.
Forms currently listed by the IRS for TIN Matching eligibility
Form 1099-B, Form 1099-DA, Form 1099-DIV, Form 1099-INT, Form 1099-K, Form 1099-MISC, Form 1099-NEC, Form 1099-OID, Form 1099-PATR.
The current IRS B Program page says payers of income reported on these forms may be eligible to participate. Eligibility also depends on the payer and IRS application requirements, so the form alone does not guarantee access.
IRS sources: TIN Matching · TIN Matching tools · B Program eligibility list
Why local cleanup still matters
TIN Matching answers a different question than a CSV validator. The IRS service tells an authorized payer whether a submitted name/TIN combination matches the IRS matching database. A local cleanup tool helps you avoid preventable spreadsheet and export damage—such as scientific notation, dropped leading zeros, blank fields, and whitespace—before you submit combinations for matching or build the final IRIS CSV.
IRS TIN Matching FAQs
Is IRS TIN Matching free?
Yes. The IRS describes TIN Matching as a free web-based service for authorized payers and their authorized agents.
How many records can I check interactively?
The IRS currently says Interactive TIN Matching can verify up to 25 name/TIN combinations at a time, with a limit of 999 requests in a 24-hour period.
How large can a bulk TIN Matching file be?
The IRS currently says Bulk TIN Matching can verify up to 100,000 name/TIN combinations, with results generally returned within 24 hours.
Can every information-return filer use TIN Matching?
No. Eligibility is limited. The current IRS B Program page specifically lists Forms 1099-B, 1099-DA, 1099-DIV, 1099-INT, 1099-K, 1099-MISC, 1099-NEC, 1099-OID, and 1099-PATR as forms whose payers may be eligible.
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.