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Customer FAQs2023-11-13T04:40:27+00:00

Customer FAQs

At Openforce, we understand that steering the ship of small business management and tax navigation can often be puzzling and even daunting. But you’re not alone. Our FAQ section is designed to help you take advantage of all the features and benefits Openforce has to offer you to manage your business.

1099 Basics

Browse these frequently asked questions about 1099 forms to help you find out when and where to locate them in your Openforce portal, plus other helpful tax form information.

I didn’t receive my 1099 in the mail.2022-12-15T05:42:41+00:00

You can verify your address in the Openforce portal and make any necessary corrections for future mailings. Address information will not be corrected on 1099 forms. You can access an electronic copy from the portal.

Need help viewing or updating your address? Here is a helpful step-by-step guide.

I lost my 1099. Can I get another copy?2022-12-15T05:33:35+00:00

We only issue one printed 1099, if applicable, for each recipient. But you can print a copy of your 1099s from the Openforce portal.

Need help finding your 1099? Watch this how-to video for step-by-step instructions.

View and download 1099s and settlement history from Openforce.

Is the Contractor Management Services (CMS) Fee tax deductible?2022-12-15T05:53:59+00:00

Unfortunately, Openforce is not qualified to provide you with tax advice; however, business expenses are generally tax-deductible, and the CMS Fee is an expense that you incurred while operating your business. You’ll want to speak with a tax preparer about what constitutes a legitimate deduction.

How Openforce will populate your 1099-NEC form:

Payer: Openforce/Contractor Management Services or your contracting company will be listed in this box.

Payer TIN: The EIN for Openforce or your contracting company will be listed in this box.

Recipient’s TIN: Your SSN or EIN will be listed in this box. This is based on data you provided during enrollment in Openforce.

Account Number: Openforce will populate an internal reference number in this box. No action is required from you.

Box 1: Non-employee compensation of at least $600.

Box 4: Federal income tax withheld. If you were subject to a federal withholding during the year, then the total of the withholding will be listed in this box.

Box 5-7: State tax-specific information.

Void/Corrected: If Openforce cancels your 1099, then the Void box will be checked. If Openforce changes the Non-Employee Compensation on your 1099, then the corrected box will be checked.

For more detailed information, visit the IRS website.

My 1099 does not match the amount of my deposits.2022-12-14T02:27:36+00:00

  • The 1099 is a gross report. Deposits have deductions.
  • If your contracting company is the payer of record (POR), they may have provided additional settlement data.
  • Some pay types in the system are classified as non-reportable, so they will not be included in the 1099.
What is a payer of record (POR)?2022-12-14T02:27:34+00:00

A payer of record is the party responsible for paying your settlements and for filling out the appropriate 1099 tax form and sending it to you.

What is an IRS 1099-NEC form?2022-12-15T05:47:52+00:00

The IRS 1099-NEC form is the form that is used to report independent contractor income to the IRS. NEC stands for Non-Employee Compensation. The requirements for reporting are as follows:

  • You were paid $600 or more during the calendar year.
  • Services performed by you were for business purposes.
  • Corporations are generally not issued a 1099-NEC and not required by the IRS.
When will I receive my 1099?2022-12-15T05:36:48+00:00

Your 1099 will be made available by January 31st of each year. A paper copy will be mailed to you, and you can find an electronic copy in the Openforce portal.

Need help finding your 1099? Watch this how-to video for step-by-step instructions.

View and download 1099s and settlement history from Openforce.

Where can I find my 1099?2022-12-15T05:38:56+00:00

Your 1099 will be made available by January 31st of each year. An electronic copy of your 1099 can be found in the Openforce portal.

  1. Log in to your Openforce portal.
  2. In the navigation menu, click Documents.
  3. At the top of the screen, click 1099 Files.
  4. Click the document link to view and download your 1099.

Need more help? Watch this how-to video for step-by-step instructions.

View and download 1099s and settlement history from Openforce.

Why am I receiving a 1099-NEC tax form?2022-12-14T02:27:33+00:00

A 1099-NEC form was issued to you if you met the following requirements:

  • You were paid $600 or more during the calendar year.
  • Services performed by you were for business purposes.
  • Corporations are generally not issued a 1099-NEC and not required by the IRS.
Why didn’t I receive a 1099 form?2023-10-27T08:07:54+00:00

There are a few reasons why you may not have received a 1099 form. To qualify for a 1099 form, you must have made at least $600 in the calendar year. If you made at least $600 and you were registered as a C or S corporation then a form was not generated because the IRS does not require forms to be generated for corporations. As an alternative you can provide your tax preparer with your settlement report.

Watch this how-to video for step-by-step instructions on accessing your settlement report

Why do I have a 1099 from Openforce and from my contracting company?2022-12-15T05:45:31+00:00

If your contracting company started with Openforce mid-year, the contracting company is responsible for reporting income that they had paid to you as an independent contractor prior to Openforce.

I provide services to two (or more) Openforce contracting company clients. Why did I receive:

One 1099: Openforce is the payer of record for both contracting company clients, so your gross earnings were combined into one form.

Two or more 1099s: Openforce is the payer of record for one of the 1099s and the contracting company client is the payer of record for the other.

Why does my 1099 say ‘Contractor Management Services’?2022-12-15T05:51:46+00:00

Openforce is a DBA of Contractor Management Services, or CMS.

Enrollment & Validations

Dive into our comprehensive FAQ section to find all the answers you need about the enrollment and validation process, and see how easy it is to get started and stay secure with Openforce.

Are you a subcontractor?2023-10-27T08:07:50+00:00

This means you provide services to another Contractor and the Contractor is the one who pays you.

In your enrollment it will ask if you’re a subcontractor. If you are based on the above definition, please select yes. If you aren’t, please select no. If you make the wrong selection, please contact our support team at 1-800-742-7508 to have your enrollment reset.

How do I check the status of my enrollment?2023-10-26T00:38:52+00:00

  1. Log into your Openforce portal
  2. Navigate to the enrollments tab
  3. Click on the applicable enrollment

How do I e-sign my documents?2023-10-26T01:12:36+00:00

  1. Log into your Openforce portal
  2. Navigate to the enrollments tab
  3. Click the blue e-sign button

How do I upload a document for my enrollment?2023-10-27T08:07:48+00:00

  1. Log into your Openforce portal by clicking the ‘Account Login’ button in the top right corner of the website
  2. Navigate to the enrollments tab
  3. Upload the requested document

Watch this how-to video for step-by-step instructions

I can’t e-sign my documents.2023-10-27T08:08:00+00:00

You’re only able to e-sign your documents after successful completion of the identification questions at the end of the workflow.

Exceptions:

  • If you don’t successfully pass the identification questions, please be advised that you will be required to upload your Social Security Card as well as your Driver’s License at the end of the workflow.
  • If you decided to skip them then you must print out each document and hand-sign each one. When uploading the documents, please be sure to upload all pages, not only the signature page. If you wish to e-sign your documents, please contact our support team at 1-800-742-7508 to have your enrollment reset.
I made the wrong selection. How do I reset my enrollment?2023-10-27T08:07:50+00:00

If you need to make a correction to a selection you made during your enrollment, you will want to progress to the document section of your enrollment. From that page you can select the ‘back’ button and it will give you the option to reset your enrollment back to the beginning. Make sure you select ‘start from scratch’ so you can make any changes needed. If you are still having trouble making corrections within your enrollment after attempting to reset, please contact our support team at 1-800-742-7508.

I need an Activation Code.2023-10-27T08:07:47+00:00

An activation code is used to start an enrollment. If you already started an enrollment, please follow the below steps:

  1. Login to your portal
  2. Navigate to Enrollments
  3. Select the enrollment that you started on and pick up where you left off

I need clarification on a document that’s a required upload.2023-10-27T08:08:00+00:00

These documents are requested by your contracting company. Please contact them for any further information regarding these documents.

I was contracted, what are my next steps?2023-10-27T08:07:49+00:00

After you’ve been contracted, you’ll need to contact your contracting company for the next steps.

I’m a Master Contractor, how do I invite a Subcontractor?2023-10-27T08:07:45+00:00

You can invite a subcontractor in your Openforce portal.

  1. Log in to your Openforce portal.
  2. In the navigation menu, select my subcontractors
  3. Click the blue button that says invite subcontractor

I’m unable to upload a document for my enrollment.2023-10-27T08:07:58+00:00

Ensure that the document you’re trying to upload has the following file format: .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, heic, .pdf, .doc, .docx

Ensure that the file name does not contain any special characters. Use only alphanumeric characters (a-z, 0-9)

If you’re still not able to upload the document, please email the document to customersupport@oforce.com for assistance, with the subject of the email labeled as ENROLLMENT DOCUMENT TO BE UPLOADED.

My Activation code is invalid.2023-10-27T08:07:53+00:00

Please ensure that there are not any typos and include the dash when typing the code. If this error message still appears, please reach out to Openforce at 1-800-742-7508 so your account can be reviewed for next steps to resolve this issue.

My document was rejected.2023-10-27T08:07:45+00:00

There are many reasons why a document could be rejected. It may not include all the required information or may not meet the requirements set by your contracting company. To review why a document was rejected:

  1. Log into your Openforce portal
  2. Navigate to the enrollments tab
  3. Review the reason why a document was rejected.

My EIN failed to verify.2023-10-27T08:07:54+00:00

Please send an email to customersupport@oforce.com with a copy of your SS4 form, which is provided to you by the IRS. If you don’t have this form, please contact the IRS for assistance. https://www.irs.gov/help/telephone-assistance

My enrollment paused due to not passing the Identification questions.2023-10-27T08:07:51+00:00

Independent Contractors can attempt to answer the Identification questions 3 times before it requires the Openforce team to reset the enrollment. If you fail your identification questions, instead of selecting go back, please click proceed. You will still be able to e-sign your documents, but you will be required to upload a picture of your driver’s license and social security card as additional verification.

My Enrollment was declined.2023-10-27T08:07:52+00:00

Openforce does not approve/decline enrollments. If your enrollment was declined and you believe it was an error, please reach out to your contracting company for further information.

My SSN failed to verify.2023-10-27T08:07:53+00:00

Your Openforce profile needs to match the name on your social security card. If this issue persists, please send an email to customersupport@oforce.com with a copy of your social security card and a Contractor Support Advisor will be able to assist you.

What is a VIN?2023-10-27T08:07:52+00:00

The car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) is the identifying code for a SPECIFIC automobile. The VIN serves as the car’s fingerprint, as no two vehicles in operation have the same VIN. A VIN is composed of 17 characters (digits and capital letters) that act as a unique identifier for the vehicle. A VIN displays the car’s unique features, specifications, and manufacturer. The VIN can be used to track recalls, registrations, warranty claims, thefts, and insurance coverage.

When will I be contracted?2023-10-27T08:07:49+00:00

Every enrollment is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, please allow your contracting company 48-72 hours to review your enrollment.

Where can I find my VIN?2023-10-27T08:07:48+00:00

The VIN can be found by looking at the dashboard on the driver’s side of the vehicle. The easiest way to view it is to stand outside the vehicle on the driver’s side and look at the corner of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. If the VIN cannot be found there, open the driver’s side door and look at the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). It is likely that the VIN will also be displayed in this location.

Settlement & Deductions

Explore our FAQs to uncover straightforward insights on payment and deduction details, ensuring you always know where you stand with Openforce’s settlement disbursements.

How do I order a Blue Elite card?2023-10-27T08:07:55+00:00

You can order a Blue Elite card by opting for any of the below methods:

  • During enrollment
  • Under the banking information tab in your portal
  • By logging into the Openforce portal and selecting the Deposit Options tab, then click “Change Deposit Option” and “Order Blue Elite Card”.

**The current video shows how to order a card as well as update DD info**

How do I update my Settlement Method?2023-10-27T08:07:46+00:00

You can update your Settlement Method in your Openforce portal.

  1. Log into your Openforce portal.
  2. In the navigation menu, select deposit options

How do I view my Settlement report?2023-10-27T08:07:47+00:00

You can view your Settlement report in your Openforce portal.

  1. Log into your Openforce portal
  2. In the navigation menu, select My Settlements
  3. If you’d like a year-to-date report, please change the filters to your desired date range.

I lost my Blue Elite Card.2023-10-27T08:07:54+00:00

If you lost the original card and it needs to be re-ordered, please call Blue Elite at 877-601-7937

My Settlement amount is incorrect.2023-10-27T08:07:57+00:00

Openforce settles the amount that is provided by your contracting company. If there is a concern with the gross settlement amount, or if a settlement was not submitted for you, please contact your contracting company for further assistance.

My settlement is on hold, and I just updated my direct deposit information. When will I receive it?2023-10-27T08:07:56+00:00

If your direct deposit information was updated prior to 3 pm MST, then your direct deposit will be sent out the next business day. If it was updated past 3 PM MST, then it will be deposited within 48 business hours.

What is Blue Elite?2023-10-27T08:07:56+00:00

Blue Elite is a third-party company we use that offers an alternative to a direct deposit bank account. They will issue you a visa card, where your settlement funds will be deposited to. This acts similar to a bank issued debit card. Please be sure to activate your card once you receive it to ensure funds will be deposited timely.

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