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For most current and future 1099 filings, choose IRIS. Its free Taxpayer Portal handles manual entry or CSV uploads for smaller batches, while IRIS Application to Application (A2A) is designed for software-driven, high-volume filing. FIRE is still usable for tax year 2025 returns processed in 2026, but the IRS says it will retire FIRE as an information-return intake system after January 1, 2027. That means tax year 2026 returns filed during the 2027 season should be planned for IRIS.
The right choice depends on your form and tax year, filing volume, and whether you need an integrated software workflow. The IRS does not treat every 1099 form identically across both systems, so verify the exact form-year combination before transmitting.
IRIS or FIRE: the practical choice
Use the following decision table before you create an account or change software. It reflects IRS guidance available October 13, 2026; transition dates are time-sensitive and should be reconfirmed on the IRS pages before a filing deadline.
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|---|---|---|
| A modest batch that you can enter or prepare as a CSV | IRIS Taxpayer Portal | The portal is free, requires no special filing software, and accepts up to 100 returns at a time. Confirm that your form and tax year appear in the IRS form-year list. |
| Large volume, payroll/accounting integration, or proprietary filing software | IRIS A2A | A2A supports software-generated transmissions, with IRS guidance describing thousands of returns and a 100 MB limit per transmission. You need an A2A TCC, API Client ID, schema package, and successful Assurance Testing System (ATS) transmissions. |
| Tax year 2025 returns processed in 2026 and an established FIRE workflow | FIRE or IRIS | An IRS Working Group Q&A dated January 14, 2026 permits either system for TY2025/processing year 2026. A new FIRE workflow is a poor long-term investment because retirement is planned for the following filing cycle. |
| Tax year 2026 returns filed in the 2027 season or later | IRIS | The IRS says current FIRE users must transition and that IRIS will be the only information-return electronic filing system after January 1, 2027. |
| Form 1099-DA | IRIS | FIRE does not accept Form 1099-DA. IRIS lists it for tax year 2025 in processing year 2026; check the current form-year table for later years. |
Read “tax year” and “processing year” literally. A 2025 payment reported in processing year 2026 is a different transition case from a 2026 payment reported in the 2027 filing season.
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What IRIS and FIRE actually are
IRIS is the IRS’s replacement platform
IRIS (Information Returns Intake System) is the IRS platform that is replacing FIRE for electronic information returns. It has two distinct filing routes:
- Taxpayer Portal: a browser-based service for manual entry and CSV upload.
- Application to Application (A2A): a machine-to-machine service for approved software or an in-house application.
The IRS describes the Taxpayer Portal as free, with no special software requirement, and available to businesses of any size. In practical terms, “any size” describes eligibility; the portal’s operational limit is up to 100 returns at a time, so a very large filer should evaluate A2A instead. The portal also lets you download payee copies and retain records of returns filed through it. See the IRS overview and form-year lists at E-file information returns with IRIS.
FIRE is the legacy electronic filing system
FIRE (Filing Information Returns Electronically) is the older IRS system used for many information returns, including numerous 1099 variants. FIRE requires filing software; it is not a browser form where you type each return. It also does not support Form 1099-DA. The IRS has announced a planned retirement rather than an indefinite coexistence, so a workflow built only for FIRE should be treated as temporary.
IRIS Taxpayer Portal: best for manual and CSV filing
What the portal can do
- Enter information returns manually in a web browser.
- Upload a CSV file prepared from your accounting or spreadsheet data.
- Submit up to 100 returns at a time, according to the IRS transition reminder.
- Download payee copies and keep records of submitted returns.
- File without purchasing specialized transmission software.
These features make the portal a sensible route for a business with a manageable number of recipients, especially when the data is already available in a spreadsheet and no direct integration is required. A CSV upload is still subject to the IRS’s required field structure and validation rules; it is not an unrestricted spreadsheet import.
Check form and tax-year availability first
IRIS availability is organized by tax year and processing year. The list can also distinguish forms available in the Taxpayer Portal from forms available through another IRIS route. Do not rely on a statement that IRIS accepts “1099s” in general. Open the current table at the IRS IRIS filing page, locate the exact form (for example, 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC, or 1099-DA), and confirm the tax year you are reporting.
Portal filing workflow
- Obtain the correct IRIS authorization. Apply for an IRIS Transmitter Control Code (TCC) through the IRS process. A TCC application can take up to 45 days, so do not wait until the filing deadline.
- Confirm the reporting year and form. Use the IRS form-year table to verify that the portal accepts the combination you intend to file.
- Prepare source data. Reconcile recipient names, taxpayer identification numbers, addresses, account numbers, amounts, and withholding fields in your accounting system. If you will upload a CSV, map each column to the IRS specification rather than assuming a generic spreadsheet layout will work.
- Choose manual entry or CSV upload. Manual entry is practical for a small batch; CSV is less repetitive when your source data is already structured.
- Validate before transmission. Correct format, required-field, and arithmetic errors reported by the portal. Keep a copy of the original data file and the accepted submission details.
- Submit and retrieve records. Save the IRS confirmation and download payee copies or other available records from the portal. Store them with your reconciliation documentation.
The portal is free as an IRS service. That does not necessarily mean your accounting system, spreadsheet preparation, or professional assistance has no cost; it means the IRS does not charge a portal access fee.
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IRIS A2A: best for integrated, high-volume filing
Capacity and technical model
A2A lets approved software communicate directly with IRIS. IRS guidance describes filing thousands of returns and a maximum transmission size of 100 MB. Those are service limits, not a promise that every software package can generate a compliant file at that scale. Your application still has to create the required data, apply IRS schemas, handle acknowledgments, and preserve an audit trail.
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Requirements before production filing
- IRIS A2A TCC: an authorization separate from a FIRE TCC.
- API Client ID: the identifier used by the A2A connection.
- Schema package: the IRS data definitions your software uses to build transmissions.
- Assurance Testing System (ATS) success: test transmissions must pass before production use.
- Software capable of the current specification: either an IRS-compatible third-party package or software you develop and maintain.
The IRS’s A2A instructions are available through E-file information returns with IRIS. A2A is not simply a faster version of typing into the portal. It is an implementation project involving credentials, schemas, testing, error handling, security, and change management.
When A2A is worth the effort
Choose A2A when recurring volume makes manual entry or repeated CSV preparation a material operating cost, when you need data to flow from payroll or accounting software, or when your organization already maintains an information-return transmission service. For a one-time batch of a few dozen forms, the setup overhead can exceed the time saved.
FIRE during the remaining overlap
FIRE remains relevant for the transition cycle. An IRS Working Group Q&A published January 14, 2026 states that a filer may use either FIRE or IRIS for tax year 2025 returns processed in 2026. That permission does not extend the system indefinitely or guarantee that every form and correction path behaves the same way in both systems.
If you already have a tested FIRE workflow and are filing TY2025/PY2026 returns, continuing with FIRE may avoid a rushed conversion. You should nevertheless begin IRIS registration and testing if you will file future returns. If you are starting from scratch, learning IRIS now avoids building a process around a platform scheduled to retire.
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| Date | Event | Operational impact |
|---|---|---|
| November 1, 2026 | Last day to file test information returns through the FIRE Trading Partner Test System | Organizations that still need FIRE testing must complete it by this date. |
| November 9, 2026 | Last day to change existing Information Returns TCC applications | Do not assume you can revise a FIRE application after this cutoff. |
| November 19, 2026, 3 p.m. Eastern Time | Last day to file information returns through FIRE | Any filing that must use FIRE for the remaining overlap needs time for validation, corrections, and resubmission before the stated deadline. |
| After January 1, 2027 | IRIS becomes the only information-return electronic filing system, according to the IRS plan | Plan TY2026 and later current-year, prior-year, and correction workflows around IRIS, subject to any updated IRS announcement. |
The IRS’s August 24, 2026 reminder states: “Current FIRE users must transition to IRIS to file tax year 2026 information returns during the 2027 filing season.” Read the current notices at Filing Information Returns Electronically (FIRE) and the August 24, 2026 transition reminder. Because the dates are future-facing and potentially subject to revision, check those pages again before scheduling a transmission.
Tax year versus processing year: avoid the common mistake
Information-return programs often describe two years. The tax year identifies when the payment or reportable event occurred. The processing or filing year identifies when you send the return to the IRS. For example, a TY2025 return sent during 2026 is a TY2025/PY2026 filing and falls under the documented overlap. A TY2026 return sent during the 2027 season is the filing cycle for which the IRS says FIRE users must transition.
Use both labels when discussing an account with your software provider or internal tax team. Saying only “2026 returns” can lead to the wrong system choice.
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When electronic filing is mandatory
The IRS generally requires electronic filing when you must file 10 or more covered information returns in a calendar year. The count is aggregated across almost all covered information-return types; it is not a separate 10-return threshold for each kind of 1099. The former 250-return-per-type threshold no longer describes the general rule.
If your aggregate count is below 10, the IRS says you may generally file electronically or on paper, subject to form-specific instructions and other applicable requirements. The threshold answers whether electronic filing is required; it does not determine whether FIRE or IRIS accepts a particular form. See IRS Topic 801: Who must file information returns electronically for the current rule and exceptions.
Transmitter Control Codes: do not reuse the wrong credential
An electronic filer needs a TCC. FIRE and IRIS applications are distinct, so an existing FIRE TCC does not automatically complete IRIS setup. The IRS says the current TCC application process may take up to 45 days. A business planning a 2027 filing should apply early enough to allow for processing, testing, data corrections, and staff access.
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- Identify whether you need an IRIS Portal authorization or an IRIS A2A authorization.
- Submit the appropriate IRIS TCC application; do not assume the FIRE credential transfers.
- For A2A, obtain the API Client ID and schema package and complete ATS testing.
- Record which legal entity, employer identification number, and responsible users are associated with each credential.
- Protect credentials and limit production access to staff or systems that need it.
General TCC information is available on the IRS E-file information returns page.
Form coverage: why “1099” is too broad
The 1099 family includes multiple forms with different data fields and release schedules. System support can vary by tax year, processing year, and filing method. Form 1099-DA is a clear example: the IRS says FIRE does not accept it, while the IRIS list includes it for tax year 2025 in processing year 2026.
Before preparing a file, verify all three items:
- the exact form number and suffix;
- the tax year being reported;
- the route you intend to use (Portal or A2A).
If a form is not listed for your year and route, do not force it into a different form’s file. Follow the current IRS form instructions or contact the IRS support channel identified on the relevant filing page.
Transition plan for an existing FIRE filer
For a TY2025/PY2026 filing
- Confirm that your form is supported by FIRE and that the November 19, 2026, 3 p.m. Eastern cutoff leaves enough time for corrections.
- Decide whether staying in the tested FIRE workflow is lower risk than converting immediately.
- In parallel, start the IRIS TCC process so the next cycle is not dependent on an unprocessed application.
- Save the source data, transmission files, acknowledgments, and correction history in a format your future IRIS process can use.
For TY2026 returns filed in the 2027 season
- Choose the IRIS Portal for manual or CSV work, or A2A for integrated volume.
- Apply for the correct IRIS TCC and, if applicable, the A2A API Client ID.
- Complete ATS testing before the production deadline.
- Map your FIRE data fields to the current IRIS schema and test validation errors with representative records.
- Document who will retrieve acknowledgments, deliver payee copies, and handle corrections.
Do not assume that a correction for a return originally filed through FIRE will follow exactly the same steps after the shutdown. The January 2026 transition material noted that some correction processes were still being developed at that time. Use the current IRS instructions for the original filing year and system.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choosing by filing volume and workflow
Fewer than 100 returns with no integration
IRIS Taxpayer Portal is usually the simplest choice. You can enter returns individually or upload a prepared CSV, then download payee copies and retain filing records. Check the form-year table first and allow time to obtain the TCC.
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Compare the labor of cleaning a CSV each cycle with the cost and control of software-assisted filing. If your accounting platform can export an IRS-compliant IRIS file, the portal may remain practical. If exports require repeated hand edits or your team files several thousand returns, evaluate A2A or an IRS-compatible filing service.
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Thousands of returns or multiple legal entities
IRIS A2A is the route intended for software-driven volume. Confirm that your software supports the current IRIS schemas, the 100 MB transmission limit, ATS testing, acknowledgments, and corrections. Treat each entity’s TCC, data security, and retention obligations as part of the implementation rather than as an afterthought.
Form 1099-DA or another newly supported form
Start with IRIS because FIRE does not support 1099-DA. Verify whether your tax year and chosen IRIS route list the form before you build the file.
Common failure points and fixes
“My FIRE TCC does not work in IRIS.”
This is expected when a filer has not completed the separate IRIS application. Apply for an IRIS TCC; for A2A, also obtain the API Client ID and complete ATS testing.
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“The portal rejects my CSV.”
Compare every column with the current IRS CSV and form specification. Check required fields, identification-number formats, date formats, decimal precision, state codes, and whether amounts belong in the selected form. Re-export from your source system after correcting the mapping instead of repeatedly editing a rejected file without version control.
“The form I need is not listed.”
Recheck the tax year, processing year, and filing method. A form can be available in one year or route but not another. Do not substitute a similar 1099 form.
“I am below 10 returns; do I have to use electronic filing?”
The general aggregate rule allows a filer below 10 covered returns to file electronically or on paper, but form-specific instructions and other rules can apply. The system comparison matters only if you elect or are required to file electronically.
“Can I wait until January 2027 to set up IRIS?”
Waiting risks the stated TCC processing time of up to 45 days, plus software setup and testing. Current FIRE users should begin the transition before the TY2026 filing season.
Official references to keep with your filing calendar
- IRS: E-file information returns with IRIS — portal, A2A instructions, and form-year availability.
- IRS: Filing Information Returns Electronically (FIRE) — retirement information and FIRE deadlines.
- IRS: August 24, 2026 transition reminder — portal capacity, A2A summary, and cutoff dates.
- IRS Topic 801 — the aggregate electronic-filing threshold.
- IRS: E-file information returns — supported systems and TCC information.
- IRS IRIS Working Group Q&A, January 14, 2026 — TY2025/PY2026 FIRE and IRIS overlap.
Bottom line
Use IRIS Taxpayer Portal for a small or moderate manual/CSV batch, and use IRIS A2A when software integration or volume justifies technical setup. FIRE can still serve a tested TY2025/PY2026 workflow during the documented overlap, but it is not the platform to build around for TY2026 and later. Confirm the exact form-year support, obtain the correct IRIS TCC early, and plan around the IRS’s published FIRE deadlines.
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