Why IRIS rejects a CSV file
Publication 5717 lists nine common reasons. Each has its own fix.
| Reason in Publication 5717 | What the portal wants | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Long numbers shown in scientific notation, like 1.35E+03 | The full number, with the column set to Text | Scientific notation |
| Dates in an unallowable format | MM/DD/YYYY with a 4-digit year | Date format |
| ZIP code not formatted correctly | Digits only, no dash, stored as Text | ZIP code format |
| A line break inside a cell | One line per cell, no Alt+Enter | Line breaks |
| Leading, trailing or double spaces | None, anywhere | Extra spaces |
| Periods (.) or hashtags (#) in name or address lines | Remove them | Periods and # |
| More than one tax year in a file | One tax year per template | Tax year |
| Cells with stray spaces, or money cells showing $0.00 | Completely empty cells | $0.00 cells |
| An empty check box field | Y or N | Check boxes |
The IRS working group adds three more causes of a whole-file rejection: the template was not downloaded from the portal, it is not the most recent template, or the form's formatting guidelines were not followed.
Perfrow fixes the ones that are pure formatting and lists the rest row by row before you upload.
Fix the whole file at once
Drop in your blank IRIS template and your spreadsheet. Perfrow cleans every row, tells you which ones need you, and writes CSVs of at most 250 records. It runs in your browser, so names and TINs stay on your computer.
Open the 1099-NEC CSV fixerQuestions
- Why does IRIS keep rejecting my CSV file?
- Publication 5717 lists nine common reasons, from scientific notation and ZIP formatting to line breaks, extra spaces and empty check boxes. A self-made or outdated template also causes a file-level rejection.
Other answers: All 54 columns · Required fields · Character limits · State codes · 250-record limit · Scientific notation · ZIP code format · Date format · Line breaks · Extra spaces · Periods and # · $0.00 cells · Y/N check boxes · Tax year · Error types · Headers do not match · From QuickBooks · TIN format · Key dates