You're checking the mail, or maybe just scrolling through your inbox, and you see it. A form from the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) or the Department of Revenue (IDOR). It’s the Illinois Form 1099-G. If your first thought is "Wait, do I owe money?" or "I didn't even file for unemployment," you're definitely not alone. Honestly, tax forms are usually about as clear as lake water in a storm.
Basically, this form is a "heads up" from the state. It tells you and the IRS that you received money from the government that might be taxable. For most people in Illinois, this is either an unemployment check or a state tax refund from the previous year.
But there is a catch. Sometimes people get these forms for benefits they never actually touched. That is a massive red flag for identity theft, and you shouldn't just ignore it.
The Two Faces of Illinois Form 1099-G
It is kinda confusing because two different state agencies use the same form number. You've got the IDES version and the IDOR version. They look similar, but they mean very different things for your wallet.
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1. The Unemployment Version (IDES)
If you lost your job or were furloughed last year, IDES sends this to report how much you were paid in benefits. This is taxable income. Uncle Sam wants his cut of that unemployment money, even if the state of Illinois doesn't tax it themselves.
The most important spot on this form is Box 1. That’s the total amount you received. If you had taxes taken out of your checks (which is usually a smart move), you’ll see that amount in Box 4 for federal withholding.
2. The Tax Refund Version (IDOR)
This one comes from the Illinois Department of Revenue. It shows up if you got a state tax refund of $10 or more. Now, you only really need to worry about this on your federal return if you itemized your deductions last year. If you took the standard deduction—like most people do these days—this form is basically just for your records. It won't change what you owe.
Why Does My 1099-G Say I Got More Than I Actually Did?
This is a common headache. You look at the "Total Payment" and think, "There's no way I got $5,000."
Usually, this happens because the state counts "gross" payments. If the state took money out of your benefits to pay back an old overpayment, or if they took out child support or federal taxes, that money is still considered "paid" to you. It's frustrating, but according to the IRS, you "received" it even if it never hit your bank account.
Also, remember that tax years are strictly January 1 to December 31. If you were approved for benefits in late December but the money didn't land until January 2, that money belongs on next year’s tax form.
How to Get Your Form if it Never Arrived
Waiting for the mail is a drag. Luckily, you can grab your Illinois Form 1099-G online much faster. For 2025 forms (which cover the 2024 tax year), they usually go live in mid-to-late January.
- For Unemployment: Log into your IDES account via the ILogin portal. Look for the "Individual Home" menu and select "Request 1099-G." You can view and print the last seven years of these forms right there.
- For Tax Refunds: Head over to MyTax Illinois. You don't even necessarily need a full account for the inquiry tool; you can often look it up using your SSN and some basic info from your last return.
What if You Received a Form but Didn't File for Benefits?
This is the scary part. If an Illinois Form 1099-G shows up in your name for unemployment benefits you never applied for, someone probably stole your identity. This happened to a ton of people during the pandemic, and it's still happening now.
Don't report that fake income on your tax return. If you do, you're paying taxes on money a criminal stole. Instead, you need to report the fraud to IDES immediately. You can do this on their website or by calling (800) 244-5631. They will investigate and, eventually, issue a corrected form that shows $0.
The IRS is actually pretty understanding here. They say you should only file based on the income you actually received. You don't have to wait for the corrected form to file your taxes, but you should definitely keep records of your fraud report just in case the IRS asks questions later.
Quick Checklist for Filing
- Check the Payer: Is it the Department of Employment Security or Revenue?
- Verify the Amount: Does it match your bank deposits plus any withholdings?
- Federal vs. State: Remember, unemployment is taxable by the IRS, but Illinois generally doesn't tax its own unemployment benefits.
- Itemization: If you're looking at a refund 1099-G, check if you itemized last year. If not, it's mostly a "nice to know" document.
Your Next Steps
First, log into ILogin to see if your form is already waiting for you digitally; it’s way more secure than the mailbox. Once you have it, compare Box 1 to your own records before you hand it over to a tax preparer or plug it into software. If the numbers are wrong or you suspect fraud, call the IDES fraud hotline at (800) 244-5631 before you hit "submit" on your tax return.