You can get your 1099-G online by logging into the website of the agency that issued it, typically your state’s unemployment insurance portal or your state’s department of revenue. The exact steps depend on whether your 1099-G is for unemployment benefits or a state tax refund, but in both cases, the form is usually available through a free online account you can set up in minutes.
1099-G for Unemployment Benefits
If you collected unemployment benefits during the year, your state’s unemployment insurance agency is the one that issues your 1099-G. Every state has an online portal where you can log in and download it. The portal name varies by state, but it’s the same system you used to file your weekly claims or certify your benefits. If you already have login credentials from when you were receiving benefits, use those to sign in and look for a section labeled “Tax Documents,” “1099-G,” or “Correspondence.”
If you never created an online account, or if you’ve forgotten your login, you’ll need to register or reset your password. Many states now require identity verification through ID.me before granting access. That process asks you to upload a photo of a government-issued ID and take a selfie, or you can verify through a live video call with an ID.me agent instead. Any selfie or video data is deleted automatically after verification unless fraud is suspected. Once verified, you should be able to access your 1099-G immediately if the agency has posted it for the tax year.
States are required to mail 1099-G forms by January 31, and the online versions are typically available around the same time. Some states post them a few days earlier than the paper copies arrive.
1099-G for a State Tax Refund
If you received a refund from your state income taxes and you itemized deductions the prior year, your state’s department of revenue may issue a 1099-G reporting that refund as income. Many states offer a dedicated online lookup tool for this. You’ll typically need your Social Security number, the tax year, and sometimes your ZIP code or filing status to pull up the form.
Not every state has a self-service lookup, but many of the larger ones do, including tools with names like “1099-G Inquiry,” “View Your 1099-G Information,” or similar labels on the state revenue department’s website. Search your state’s department of revenue website for “1099-G” and look for a lookup or inquiry page. If your state doesn’t offer online access, you can call the department of revenue directly and request a copy.
Using an IRS Transcript as a Backup
If you can’t access your 1099-G through the issuing agency, the IRS offers another route. You can pull a wage and income transcript through your IRS online account at irs.gov. This transcript shows the data that employers, states, and other payers reported to the IRS, including 1099-G amounts. Transcripts are available for the past ten tax years, though data for the current processing year may be incomplete until all reporting is finalized.
To use this tool, log in to your IRS online account (or create one, which also requires ID.me verification) and request a “Wage and Income Transcript” for the year you need. Keep in mind this transcript shows you what was reported, not a copy of the actual form. It’s useful for confirming the dollar amount when you’re preparing your return but can’t locate the original document. If you prefer not to go online, you can submit Form 4506-T by mail to request the same transcript on paper.
What to Do if Your 1099-G Is Wrong
If the amount on your 1099-G doesn’t match what you actually received, contact the issuing agency directly to request a corrected form. This is especially important for unemployment-related 1099-Gs, where errors sometimes happen due to identity theft or overpayment adjustments. If someone filed fraudulent unemployment claims using your information, your 1099-G might show benefits you never collected. In that case, report the fraud to your state unemployment agency and ask for a revised 1099-G showing zero benefits.
If you can’t get a corrected form from the agency in time to file your return, the IRS says to go ahead and file accurately, reporting only the income you actually received. If the corrected form still hasn’t arrived by the end of February, you can call the IRS at 800-829-1040 for help. You’ll need your name, address, Social Security number, and the agency’s contact information. The IRS will reach out to the agency on your behalf and request the corrected document.
When 1099-G Forms Become Available
Agencies must send 1099-G forms by January 31 of the year following the tax year in question. Online versions generally appear on state portals around the same date, sometimes a few days sooner. IRS wage and income transcripts reflecting 1099-G data may take longer, since the IRS needs time to process filings from all reporting agencies. If you’re filing your taxes early in the season, the state portal is your fastest option. The IRS transcript data is more reliable later in the spring once all reporting is complete.