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IRS FIRE to IRIS Readiness & 1099 CSV Header Check

Check which November 2026 IRS FIRE cutoff hits you, and verify your 1099 export header row before moving to IRIS.

Runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, stored or sent anywhere.

Who it's for: small businesses and bookkeepers who e-file Forms 1099 or other information returns through the IRS FIRE system or are preparing a CSV export for the IRIS Taxpayer Portal.

FIRE test system closes

Nov 1, 2026

IRS: “Last day to file test information returns through the FIRE Trading Partner Test System.”

IR TCC changes close

Nov 9, 2026

IRS: “Last day to make changes to the Information Returns (IR) Applications for Transmitter Control Codes (TCC).”

Last day to file on FIRE

Nov 19, 2026 (3 p.m. ET)

IRS: “Last day to file information returns through the FIRE system.”

IRIS-only e-filing

Jan 1, 2027

IRS: “IRIS will be the only information returns electronic filing system, including current year, prior year, or corrections, after Jan. 1, 2027.”

What the IRS says

In news release IR-2026-99 (Aug. 24, 2026) and on the IRS FIRE page, the IRS states that the Filing Information Returns Electronically (FIRE) system is retiring after the 2026 filing season and lists three November 2026 cutoffs: Nov. 1, 2026 (last day to file test information returns through the FIRE Trading Partner Test System), Nov. 9, 2026 (last day to make changes to Information Returns Applications for Transmitter Control Codes, after which existing IR TCC applications become read-only), and Nov. 19, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET (last day to file information returns through the FIRE system). IRS IR-2026-99: Information return e-file system transitioning to a new platform · IRS: Filing Information Returns Electronically (FIRE)

Starting Jan. 1, 2027, the Information Returns Intake System (IRIS) is the only electronic filing system for information returns, including prior-year returns and corrections. Current FIRE users must complete a separate IRIS Application for TCC to file in IRIS. The IRS notes that the IRIS Taxpayer Portal is a free, web-based filing system that allows filers to e-file up to 100 returns at a time (by typing information directly or uploading a CSV file using the IRS template). IRS: E-file information returns with IRIS

1. Check your filing setup and paste your CSV header row (optional)

We e-file 1099s or other information returns ourselves (not through a full-service payroll or e-file provider that handles IRIS for us) We have already submitted or received a separate IRIS Application for TCC (a FIRE TCC does not carry over automatically) We still have 2026 or prior-year returns, corrections, or test files we plan to submit through FIRE before Nov 19, 2026 at 3 p.m. ET We need to update responsible officials or other details on an existing IR Application for TCC before it becomes read-only on Nov 9, 2026 We file more than 100 returns in a single upload (the free IRIS Taxpayer Portal handles up to 100 returns at a time)

Optional: paste only the first line (column headers) of your 1099 report or CSV export

Privacy guard: Do not paste real taxpayer names, Social Security numbers, EINs, or TCCs. Paste only column header names (for example: Vendor Name, Tax ID, Address, Total 1099-NEC Nonemployee Compensation). Any 9-digit number pattern is automatically ignored and flagged.

2. Your FIRE to IRIS readiness checklist

CSV header check (against core 1099 prep column groups)

Note: The IRS IRIS Taxpayer Portal requires its own exact CSV template layout from irs.gov. This check only shows which core information groups appear in your current export header row so you know what to map before uploading.

Detected column groups in your pasted header row
Column group	Status	Matched header(s)

Want this as a printable 3-page switch checklist (with 1099-NEC add-on)?

The FIRE to IRIS Switch Checklist ($9) is an offline 3-page PDF checklist covering the Nov 1, Nov 9, Nov 19 (3 p.m. ET), and Jan 1, 2027 IRS cutoffs, the IRIS TCC vs. FIRE TCC check, and a 1099-NEC prep sheet.

Get the $9 FIRE→IRIS Switch Checklist on Gumroad · Read the full IRS FIRE retirement deadline page (free)

Sources

IRS IR-2026-99 (Aug. 24, 2026): IRS reminder: Information return e-file system transitioning to a new platform · IRS: Filing Information Returns Electronically (FIRE) · IRS: E-file information returns with IRIS

Checked against IRS pages on October 26, 2026. Always check the IRS's own pages for current dates, templates and instructions.