IRS Error: ‘B Record Contains Non-Numeric Characters in the Payment Amount Fields’
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- 1099 forms
If your IRS electronic filing submission returns the error “B record contains non-numeric characters in the Payment Amount Fields,” it means your file includes invalid characters where only numbers are allowed. To successfully submit, you’ll need to correct the issue before resending.
Understanding the Problem
What Is the ‘B’ Record?
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The B record represents the payee information (such as the recipient of income) in the IRS file format.
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The Payment Amount Fields within the record must only include valid numeric data.
IRS Formatting Rules:
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Acceptable characters: 0–9 only
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Entries must be right-justified with unused positions padded with zeros
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No decimal points, commas, dollar signs, or special symbols allowed
Common Causes of This Error
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Non-numeric characters included
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Letters, dollar signs ($), commas, or decimal points entered into numeric fields.
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Incorrect justification
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Fields aligned left instead of right-justified as required.
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Missing zero-padding
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Blank spaces left in unused positions instead of filling with zeros.
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How to Fix the Error
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Review the IRS file format specifications for Payment Amount Fields.
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Remove all non-numeric entries and ensure numbers are right-justified.
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Add zero-padding to fill unused positions.
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Resubmit the corrected file through the IRS FIRE System.
👉 If you’re using our 1099 software the system automatically formats fields correctly to reduce the risk of these errors.
Why This Matters
Submitting files with formatting errors delays IRS acceptance and may trigger compliance penalties. By correcting B record errors promptly, you ensure your 1099s are filed on time and without rejection.
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