When do 1099 forms need to be legally given out?

1099 forms must be provided to recipients by January 31 of the year following the tax year in which the payments were made. For example, 1099s for payments made in 2023 must be distributed by January 31, 2024. Additionally, the forms must be filed with the IRS by the same date if submitted electronically or by February 28 if mailed. It's important to ensure these deadlines are met to avoid penalties.