The short answer
| What it reports | Information about cash, stock, or other property from an acquisition of control or the substantial change in capital structure of a corporation. |
|---|---|
| Amounts to report | Over $1,000 |
| To the recipient | (To Shareholders) January 31, (To Clearing Organization) January 5 |
| To the IRS, on paper | February 28 |
| To the IRS, electronically | March 31 |
If one arrives
Usually a taxable exchange of your shares. The form is issued by the corporation, not your broker.
The form is how a payer tells the IRS what it paid. Its absence is not permission — income you received is reportable whether or not a form covers it, and a threshold decides only who must file, never what you owe.
This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. It covers United States federal reporting. Consult a qualified tax professional about your situation.