All individuals who received unemployment insurance (UI) benefits in 2020 will receive the 1099-G tax form. If you collected unemployment insurance last year, you will need the 1099-G form from IDES to complete your federal and state tax returns. The 1099-G form is available as of January 2021.
These instructions apply for claimants across all programs (e.g. Regular UI and PUA).
Additional FAQs are available
here. With questions about tax filing, please visit the
IRS.
Tax fraud can result in criminal penalties. Some of the criminal activities in violations of federal tax law include deliberately underreporting or omitting income or hiding or transferring assets or income. See
https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/types-of-fraudulent-activities-general-fraud. Federal criminal penalties can include fines and imprisonment. See 26 U.S.C. §7201, §7206, and §7207. Under Illinois law, intent to defraud for tax purposes may be inferred from conduct such as concealment of assets or covering up sources of income, or any other conduct, the likely effect of which would be to mislead or conceal. See 86 Illinois Admin Code 700.330(c). State law provides penalties for tax fraud. 35 ILCS 735/3-6.
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 contains provisions regarding taxable unemployment compensation. Please direct all tax filing questions to the IRS, and visit their website for the most
recent guidance.
Getting Your 1099-G Tax Form
IDES began sending 1099-G
forms to all claimants via their preferred method of correspondence (email
or mail) in late January. Regardless of the initial method of delivery, all claimants
can access copies of their 1099-G form in multiple ways.
If you have additional questions about accessing your 1099-G form, please call IDES at (800) 244-5631.
1) Online- Log in to your IDES account.
- After you have successfully logged into your IDES account, navigate to the dropdown menu titled “Individual Home” in orange. (Please note this "Individual Home" menu is different than the "Individual" menu that you see on IDES's public-facing website. You must first log in to your secure account).
- Select Request 1099G.
- Answer the security questions.
- If your responses are verified, you will be able to view your 1099-G form.
- You can view or print your forms for the past seven years. Select the appropriate year and click "View 1099G".
If you cannot access your 1099-G form, you may need to reset your password within IDES's secure website. Please note that this site differs from the system used by PUA claimants, and your password may have expired.
Please note that previous years' 1099-G information is also available online for the prior seven years.
2) Mail
IDES mailed paper copies of the 1099-G form in January to all claimants who opted NOT to receive their form electronically.
If you would like to request an additional copy of your 1099-G form to be mailed to your address on file, please contact (800) 244-5631. Follow the prompts to schedule a callback:
- Select your language, and indicate you are an individual
- If you live outside Illinois, select option 1
- Then, select option 5 for questions about your 1099-G
- If you live in Illinois, select option 2
- Then, select option 6 for questions about your 1099-G
3) Tele-Serve
Claimants may also request their 1099-G form via Tele-Serve. Please call (312) 338-4337 and select main menu option 3, for claim status.
Fraud Warning
If you did not receive UI benefits in 2020, yet still received a 1099-G form from IDES, this may indicate that a fraudulent claim was filed in your name: Please immediately contact IDES at (800) 244-5631. Follow the prompts to indicate you received a 1099-G form in error:
- Select your language, and indicate you are an individual
- If you live outside Illinois, select option 1
- Then, select option 5 for questions about your 1099-G
- If you live in Illinois, select option 2
- Then, select option 6 for questions about your 1099-G
IDES representatives will return calls on a first-in, first-out basis to ensure the fraudulent claim is shut down, and to address the 1099-G form. If you are already awaiting a callback for a different inquiry, we will be able to handle your 1099-G related questions on that same call. There is no need to queue for an additional callback.
Once a fraudulent claim is reported, investigated, and confirmed by IDES, the victim will not be held responsible for repaying any benefits fraudsters may have received in their name, nor will they be held responsible for tax implications resulting from a fraudulent claim. The IRS has provided guidance to states regarding these nationwide fraud schemes. IDES understands the urgency associated with tax season, and is committed to ensuring agency resources are available to assist individuals who received a form in error.
See the recent alert on 1099-G forms from the U.S. Department of Justice National Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force.
