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1099G

What your 1099-G means: taxable unemployment, how much tax you may still owe after withholding, when a state refund is taxable, and a calculator.

Updated November 4, 2026. Free, no sign-up; everything runs in your browser and nothing you type is stored.

Form 1099-G calculator

Box 1: unemployment compensation ($)Box 4: federal tax withheld ($)Your tax rate (%)Box 2: state or local tax refund ($)Did you itemize last year?

Federal tax still owed on unemployment

–

–Tax on the unemployment

–State refund taxable?

What Form 1099-G reports

States send Form 1099-G for government payments. Box 1 is unemployment compensation, which is fully taxable on your federal return. Box 2 is a state or local income tax refund, which is taxable only if you itemized deductions in the year you paid that tax and got a tax benefit from deducting it.

Unemployment and withholding

You can ask the state to withhold 10% of each unemployment payment for federal tax (Form W-4V). If your bracket is higher, or you had other income, you may still owe. Example: $8,000 of unemployment with $800 withheld, taxed at 12%: about $160 more is due. Check the 1099-G against your own records and report any error to your state, especially if you didn't file for benefits (possible identity theft).

Common questions

Is unemployment taxable?

Yes, unemployment compensation in Box 1 is taxable on your federal return.

Is my state tax refund taxable?

Only if you itemized and deducted state income tax in the year you paid it.

What if I didn't receive unemployment but got a 1099-G?

Contact your state agency; it may be identity theft.

Sources

More paycheck and tax calculators: 1099 NEC · 1099 SA · 5498 Tax Form · Amended Tax Return (1040-X)

General information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check important numbers with the official source before acting on them.