If you hire independent cleaners or janitorial contractors, you may wonder whether you are required to file 1099 forms, and if so, how to do it quickly and accurately. The short answer is yes. When you pay non-employees $600 or more in a year for cleaning or maintenance work, the IRS requires you to file Form 1099-NEC to report those payments.
Key takeaway: Cleaning companies, property managers, and small business owners can easily meet IRS requirements by efiling 1099-NEC forms online through WageFiling instead of managing paper forms or mailing delays.
Who Needs to File 1099s for Cleaning Jobs
If you own or manage a cleaning business, property management company, or even a small office that hires outside help, you may have filing responsibilities.
You must file a 1099-NEC when you:
- Pay $600 or more during the calendar year to a cleaner who is not an employee.
- Hire an independent contractor or sole proprietor rather than someone on payroll.
- Make payments by cash, check, or direct deposit, not through your payroll system.
For more information on filing requirements, visit WageFiling’s General Instructions for 1099 Filing.
You do not need to issue a 1099-NEC if:
- The worker is a W-2 employee and you already report their wages on a W-2.
- Payments were made entirely through a third-party processor like PayPal or Venmo, which may fall under separate 1099-K rules.
When to File 1099-NEC Forms for Cleaning Contractors
The deadline to file 2025 1099-NEC forms with the IRS is January 31, 2026.
- Efile deadline: January 31, 2026
- Contractor copy deadline: January 31, 2026
If you file late or submit inaccurate information, penalties can add up quickly, often $60 to $310 per form depending on how late the submission is. Filing online through WageFiling helps ensure you meet every IRS deadline without paper processing delays.
Why Cleaning Businesses Should Efile Instead of Paper File
Efiling has clear advantages over mailing paper copies, especially for cleaning or janitorial companies that may issue multiple 1099s each year.
| Efiling with WageFiling | Paper Filing |
|---|---|
| Instant IRS confirmation | Weeks of mailing delay |
| No special forms or envelopes required | Must order official red-ink forms |
| Simple and secure online entry | Manual entry increases risk of errors |
| Secure record storage | Paper copies easy to misplace |
| Download and print contractor copies | Must manually mail each copy |
Using WageFiling takes just minutes and removes the hassle of ordering, printing, and managing paper forms. You can easily download and print contractor copies to mail or deliver as needed, keeping your filing process efficient and organized.
Step-by-Step: How to File 1099s for Cleaning Jobs Online
- Collect contractor information.
Request a completed Form W-9 from each cleaner or cleaning service, including their legal name, address, and Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). - Create or log into your WageFiling account.
Visit WageFiling.com and select “Start Filing.” The platform supports small businesses of all sizes. - Enter payment details.
Choose the appropriate form (1099-NEC), add your contractor’s information, and enter total payments made during the year. - Submit electronically to the IRS.
WageFiling handles secure transmission and provides confirmation once your submission is accepted. For official IRS form details, visit IRS: About Form 1099-NEC. - Download and print contractor copies.
Print copies to mail or deliver to each contractor by January 31.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to send 1099s to part-time or one-time cleaners?
Yes, if you paid them $600 or more during the year and they are not employees, even if the work was short-term or occasional.
What if I pay a cleaning company instead of an individual?
If the cleaning company is incorporated, such as an LLC taxed as a corporation or C/S Corp, a 1099-NEC generally is not required. Always confirm with a completed W-9.
Can I file 1099s for my cleaning staff and other contractors at the same time?
Yes. WageFiling allows you to file multiple 1099s and W-2s in one secure online session.
Keep Your Cleaning Business Compliant Year-Round
Maintaining compliance does not have to be complicated. Filing 1099-NEC forms online keeps your business organized, protects your contractors’ information, and ensures you meet IRS rules with ease.
Start filing today at WageFiling.com and keep your focus where it belongs, on running your business, not on paperwork.
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