On most Fidelity 1099-R forms, the federal ID number you need is 04-2456485, the EIN for National Financial Services LLC (NFS), Fidelity’s clearing firm and the payer of record for the majority of brokerage and IRA accounts. Some Fidelity accounts, particularly workplace retirement plans, list a different entity with a different EIN, so use the number printed on the specific 1099-R you received rather than one from memory or an outside source.
Where the EIN Sits on the Form
The payer’s EIN appears in the upper-left area of Form 1099-R, inside the box labeled “PAYER’S TIN” or “Payer’s Federal identification number.” It sits directly below or beside the payer’s name and address. The format is nine digits with a hyphen: XX-XXXXXXX.
Don’t confuse it with your own taxpayer ID. Your Social Security number or TIN appears in a separate box on the form and is usually partially masked for security. The payer’s TIN is not masked.
The payer name next to the EIN will typically read something like “National Financial Services LLC, agent for Fidelity Brokerage Services,” with slight variations depending on the account type. The number beside that name is what goes on your return.
Which Fidelity Entity Is Your Payer
Fidelity operates through several legal entities, and the one shown on your 1099-R depends on the account the distribution came from.
- National Financial Services LLC (NFS) is the most common payer for individual brokerage accounts, traditional IRAs, and Roth IRAs held directly through Fidelity. Its EIN, 04-2456485, is what appears on most Fidelity 1099-R forms.
- Fidelity Management Trust Company (FMTC) is often the named payer for employer-sponsored retirement plans such as 401(k)s and 403(b)s administered through Fidelity. If your distribution came from a workplace plan, FMTC may appear as the payer with a different EIN than NFS.
If you hold multiple Fidelity accounts across different entity types, you can receive more than one 1099-R, each with its own payer name and EIN. Enter each form separately when you file, using the exact EIN from that specific form.
Entering the EIN When You File
Tax software will ask for the payer’s name, address, and EIN before prompting you for the amounts in Box 1, Box 2a, and the distribution code in Box 7. Type the nine-digit EIN exactly as it appears on your form, including the hyphen.
Most major tax platforms also let you import Fidelity tax forms directly. Fidelity supports direct upload to services like TurboTax, which pulls in the payer information, EIN, and box amounts without manual entry.1Fidelity. Tax Information: Tax Day Forms and Updates Importing is the simplest way to avoid typos, but still compare the imported values against your actual 1099-R before submitting.
For paper filers, copy the payer’s name, address, and EIN directly from the 1099-R onto the corresponding line of your return.2Internal Revenue Service. Form 1099-R An EIN typo can cause matching problems later because the IRS won’t be able to link your reported distribution to the payer’s filing.
If the EIN or Other Information Looks Wrong
If you spot a mistake on your Fidelity 1099-R, whether it’s a wrong distribution amount, an incorrect distribution code, or an EIN that doesn’t match what you expected, contact Fidelity. They can investigate and issue a corrected form, which will be marked “CORRECTED” at the top and replaces the original for filing purposes.
If you already filed and the corrected numbers differ from what you reported, file Form 1040-X to update your return.3Internal Revenue Service. Topic No. 154, Form W-2 and Form 1099-R (What to Do if Incorrect or Not Received)
If Your 1099-R Never Arrives
Fidelity typically posts 1099-R forms in your online account in mid-January and mails paper copies shortly afterward.1Fidelity. Tax Information: Tax Day Forms and Updates If mid-February passes without one, log in and check the digital copy first. If it isn’t there either, call Fidelity for a duplicate.
If the filing deadline is closing in and you still don’t have the form, you can file using Form 4852 as a substitute, estimating the distribution amount and any taxes withheld from your own records such as bank statements or a prior year’s 1099-R.4Internal Revenue Service. Using Form 4852 When Missing the Form W-2 or 1099-R If the real 1099-R arrives later with different numbers, file Form 1040-X to correct the return.3Internal Revenue Service. Topic No. 154, Form W-2 and Form 1099-R (What to Do if Incorrect or Not Received)