CheckMark 1099 Software vs IRS IRIS Taxpayer Portal
CheckMark 1099 Software
checkmark.comIRS IRIS Taxpayer Portal
irs.govSide by side
| Figure | CheckMark 1099 Software | IRS IRIS Taxpayer Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $19.92/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 1 |
| Spec score · 1099 Filing Software | 8.1 (#8) | 8.3 (#7) |
| Spec score · Tax Information Reporting Software | 8.0 (#9) | 8.2 (#7) |
| Purpose | The software prepares, prints, and e-files 1099 forms for businesses and accounting professionals. | IRIS accepts information returns through the Taxpayer Portal/UI and Application to Application (A2A). |
| Support | The plans include US-based customer support, with up to 60 minutes for Pro and 120 minutes for Pro+ within the tax year. | IRIS help-desk service is listed Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern, with toll-free and international numbers. |
Plans
CheckMark 1099 Software
- CheckMark 1099 Print Pro$239 a year
- CheckMark 1099 Print Pro+$259 a year
- CheckMark 1099 E-File Pro$319 a year
- CheckMark 1099 E-File Pro+$339 a year
In their own words
CheckMark 1099 Software
CheckMark 1099 Software prepares, prints, and e-files forms for businesses and accounting professionals. It supports 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-R, and 1099-S, and is intended for the 2026 tax filing year; it cannot file forms for earlier years. The desktop application runs on Windows and macOS, including Intel-based and Apple Silicon Macs. Data can be imported from CheckMark Payroll, CheckMark MultiLedger, or a tab-delimited text file. For IRS IRIS filing, the software creates CSV files that users upload and submit through the IRIS Taxpayer Portal, which requires an IRIS account and TCC. CheckMark says data remains on the user's computer and is not uploaded or accessed by the company; files are encrypted and opened with its software. Password-protected users can have permissions restricting access to sensitive screens or information. Plans start at $239 a year for the 2026 tax year version. A free demo uses sample company data for printing or creating electronic files.
IRS IRIS Taxpayer Portal
The IRS IRIS Taxpayer Portal is a free web service for filing information returns through the portal or Application to Application (A2A). Portal users can enter data manually or upload CSV files, manage issuer information, keep filing records, download payee copies, submit corrections, and request automatic extensions. Portal access requires an IRIS Transmitter Control Code, a five-digit code used only for IRIS. A2A is an option for filers using third-party or their own software; it can submit thousands of returns, with uploads up to 100 MB at a time. Setting it up requires an A2A TCC, API Client ID, schema package, and successful Assurance Testing System transmissions. CSV formatting guidance and templates are available in the portal. IRIS accepts information returns for tax year 2022 and later. Starting with tax year 2023, filers with 10 or more information returns must file electronically; Forms W-2 are filed with the Social Security Administration. PDF downloads may take up to 10 minutes to appear in portal notifications, and company firewalls may block external downloads.