IRS form 1099 refers to a number of forms used to report several different types of income. Unlike a W-2, a 1099 is not used to report income earned as an employee of a company. Other types of taxable income, however, will usually be reported with a 1099.IRS Form 1099-MISCOne of the most common 1099 forms is the IRS Form 1099-MISC. This form is used to report income earned as an independent contractor or freelance agent. Once you begin working with a specific company, the company should send you a 1099. You will fill out this form and return the original copy to the company.A few months prior to filing taxes, you will receive a copy of your 1099 listing your earnings in the previous calendar year. You should receive a 1099 for every company you worked with. If your 1099 indicates that you earned over $600 while working as an independent agent, you must file this form with the rest of your taxes.The Different 1099 FormsIn addition to the IRS Form 1099-MISC, there are several different types of 1099s. Examples of these forms include Form 1099-A, Form 1099-B, Form 1099-C, Form 1099-DIV, Form 1099-G, Form 1099-INT, Form 1099-MSA, Form 1099-OID, Form 1099-PATR, Form 1099-R, Form 1099-S, Form SSA-1099 and Form RRB-1099.Each of these forms report revenue gained from different sources, like the sale of stocks, canceled debts, distributions from retirements plans, and government benefits. For instance, Form 1099-INT is used to report the interest earned by a tax payer. Form SSA-1099 is used to report one's Social Security benefits. People who use Form 1099-B are reporting the income they earned by selling stocks, mutual funds, and other holdings.Like the IRS Form 1099-MISC, companies must send these forms by January 31st. This should give tax payers enough time to receive and file these forms prior to the IRS's deadline. As with the 1099-MISC, tax payers must report any amount over $600 while filing their taxes.While filing your taxes, it is important to remember that a 1099 is just as important as a W-2. If you fail to file a required form, you might be audited, fined, and required to pay the owed amount. Refusal to pay the IRS can result in the seizure of property and other legal action.