1099 preparation and e-file software: prices compared
Ninesift next to Avalara 1099, Tax1099 and QuickBooks Online's 1099 wizard: what each costs and what it does, from their own pages.
At a glance
| Tool | Published price | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Ninesift | Free (decisions, totals, checks, first 10 payee rows); $12 / 7 days; $15/month; $69/year. | Browser-only. Reads your payments export and works out who needs a 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC and the box amounts, the W-9 list and a forms-to-file sheet. Doesn't e-file. |
| Avalara 1099 | Per form, by volume: $3.10 down to $0.63 federal e-file; state filing $1.49 per form | E-files and mails 1099s; TIN matching and other services |
| Tax1099 | Per form, by volume: $2.99 down to $0.72; Teams plan $249/year, Scale $349/year | E-files 1099s, state filing, mailing and TIN matching |
| QuickBooks Online | Preparing 1099s in QuickBooks is free; fees apply to e-file | 1099 wizard built on the payments recorded in QuickBooks; card payments filtered out |
Honest take
When Ninesift fits
- Payments are spread across QuickBooks, a bank bill-pay export or a spreadsheet, and you want one checked list of who needs a 1099 before you file.
- You're a bookkeeper reviewing several clients' 1099s from exports, without per-form pricing for the review step.
- You'd rather not upload a payee list with TINs to work out the decisions.
When another tool fits better
- All your payments are in QuickBooks Online with vendors set up: its free 1099 wizard is the simplest route.
- You need forms e-filed, mailed to recipients or TIN-matched. Ninesift doesn't do that; Avalara, Tax1099 or the IRS's free IRIS portal do.
Competitor details checked on 2026-10-28 from their public pages: Avalara 1099 pricing, Tax1099 e-file pricing, QuickBooks Online: create and file 1099s. Prices change — check their site for the current offer. Product names are trademarks of their owners; we are not affiliated with them.
FAQ
Does Ninesift file 1099s?
No. It tells you who needs one and the box amounts, and gives you a forms-to-file CSV to copy into your e-file service or the IRS IRIS portal.
What does Ninesift do?
It reads your year's vendor payments and works out which payees need a 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC, the amount for each box, who you still need a W-9 from, and the filing deadlines. It doesn't file or mail forms.
Is my data uploaded?
No. Your file is read by JavaScript in your browser tab and never sent to us or anyone else. Payments and TINs aren't stored, so closing the tab clears them. Your settings (tax year, account mappings, corporation names) can be saved in this browser.
Which files can I use?
CSV, tab-separated or Excel with one row per payment. Date, payee and amount are required; payment method, account and memo are optional. QuickBooks Online Transaction Detail by Account and expense reports are recognised. A separate vendor list can add entity type, W-9 status, TIN and address. Download the template to see the layout.
What's free?
Importing and checking any number of payments, the decision counts and totals (forms to file, NEC and MISC amounts, card payments excluded, W-9s needed), every check, plus full rows for the first 10 payees. Pro shows and exports everything: all payees, the Excel workbook, the forms-to-file CSV, the W-9 list and the payee and payment CSVs.
What isn't covered?
Filing, mailing and TIN matching, state-only 1099 rules, backup withholding calculations, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-K and 1042-S. Fishing boat proceeds, crop insurance, section 409A and direct sales boxes aren't filled.
Is this tax advice?
No. Ninesift applies the rules in the IRS instructions for Forms 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC to the data you provide. Check the results, and ask your tax adviser about anything unusual. It isn't affiliated with the IRS, Intuit or Xero.