If you run payroll through Collective, you may have noticed draft 2026 W-2s and 1099s in the Documents tab of your dashboard. These drafts are a preview, created early so you have time to catch things like a misspelled name, an outdated address, confirm benefits, or catch up on missed payroll before your final forms are filed in January. This article explains what the drafts show, what to check, and how to make updates.
This article applies to S Corp tier members who run payroll through Collective.
Why these forms are showing up now
The forms in your Documents tab are in-progress drafts, not your final tax filings. They're generated by our payroll provider so you can review the details that are hardest to fix after filing.
- The numbers aren't final yet. Drafts reflect only the payroll that has processed so far. Any regular, bonus, or catch-up payrolls you run in November or December will be included on your final forms.
- A missing recent payroll is expected. If a payroll you ran recently, or one that's scheduled for later this year, isn't on the draft, there's nothing you need to do. Your final forms will include the full year.
- Reviewing now saves time later. Once a W-2 or 1099 is filed, fixing it means issuing a corrected form, such as a corrected W-2 (Form W-2c). That process can take weeks and may delay your personal tax return.
What to check on your draft
You don't need to recalculate tax withholding. Instead, focus on the details below. A quick review now could help you avoid a correction later.
- Names and tax ID numbers. For W-2s (you and any employees), confirm each legal name matches the name on that person's Social Security card and that the Social Security number is correct. For 1099s (contractors), confirm the name or business name matches the contractor's Form W-9 and that their tax ID number (EIN or SSN) is correct.
- Mailing addresses. Confirm each person's address is current. Forms need a valid mailing address even if they're delivered electronically, and an outdated address can send mailed copies or tax notices to the wrong place.
- Worker type. Confirm your employees appear on W-2s and your independent contractors appear on 1099s. How someone is classified affects how their pay is taxed, so it's worth a second look if you've added anyone new this year.
- Owner pay for the year. As an S Corp owner, paying yourself a reasonable salary through payroll helps keep your S Corp in good standing. If you've missed any planned owner salary this year, schedule a catch-up payroll before the year-end cutoff below.
- Owner health insurance and HSA contributions. If your S Corp pays for your health insurance or contributes to your HSA, those amounts generally need to be reported on your W-2. Make sure they've been entered in payroll before year end.
How to make updates
You can make most updates directly from your Collective dashboard.
Update an employee's or contractor's details
- Log in to your Collective dashboard and select Payroll.
- Go to My Team and select View Details for the person whose details need updating.
- Select Edit next to their personal information. This is where you can update a legal name or address.
- Save your changes.
Run a missing or catch-up payroll
- Go to your Payroll dashboard and select Overview.
- Select Run Payroll, or choose an off-cycle or bonus payroll, to account for any missing owner salary or employee pay.
- Submit the payroll within the standard processing window so it clears before the year-end cutoff.
Note: The draft in your Documents tab may not update right away after you make a change. As long as your changes are saved in your dashboard and your payrolls clear before year end, your final forms in January will reflect the updated information.
Next steps
To get started, head to the Documents tab in your Collective dashboard and open your draft forms. If something on your draft doesn't look right and you're not sure how to fix it, reach out to your Collective team. They're here to help.
The information contained in this document is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or tax advice.