As tax time rapidly draws near, it's also when you need to watch the mail for envelopes arriving marked "tax information." Among the many things they may contain are a variety of different types of 1099 tax forms. But what are they for and why do you need them? Let's break them down.

A 1099 form is used to document income received outside of a permanent salaried job. There are many different types of 1099 forms. Any organization or individual you received a payment from is required to distribute this tax form to you by Jan. 31 each year (an employer is also required to distribute a W-2 form by this deadline). 

It might be tempting to not report this money on your tax return, especially if the amounts are small. But remember that these businesses also send a copy of your 1099 forms to the IRS. The tax return you submit will be compared to what's on file to see if there are any discrepancies.

The issue of earnings from 1099s has been in the news recently after the IRS said it would require reporting transactions over $600 made through third-party payment apps. The tax agency subsequently delayed its requirement for this tax year, but it's still important to keep in mind. 

Here's what to know about the different types of 1099 tax forms, how to confirm you've received all your paperwork and tips for an easier filing season.

What should I do with my 1099s?

A 1099 form shows the income you earned outside of being an employee. Employees receive a W-2, whereas independent contractors, freelancers and gig workers receive a 1099. Any taxpayer can create a free ID.me account to see what forms they should expect to receive this year, since anyone issuing a W-2 or 1099 will also issue a copy to the IRS.

For some taxpayers, the majority (or even all) of the earnings they make in a given year is nonemployee, or 1099, income. An increasing number of people rely on side hustles and additional streams of income to make ends meet: Four in 10 Americans have a side hustle, each making an average of $12,689 extra per year, according to a Harris poll of 2,032 respondents commissioned by Zapier, a marketing automation company. Because additional income streams can mean additional tax forms, some might receive multiple types of 1099s.

If you received one or more 1099s over the last few weeks, the first thing to do is create an account with the IRS and review the tax records associated with your Social Security number. Since the entity issuing your 1099 also has to issue it to the tax agency, you'll be able to make sure you haven't missed anything, according to Christina Taylor, Cash App Tax expert and head of eFile operations for Cash App. "I always recommend you pull your wage and income transcript [on ID.me] from the IRS first," Taylor said. 

Read more: CNET's review of Cash App Tax to file your taxes online

Once you have all your documents, decide if you plan to work with a tax professional this year to file. Filing early in the season could result in quicker turnaround time -- which could result in a faster refund if you're owed one, according to Krystal Pino, certified public accountant and founder of Nomad Tax, a tax consultancy for digital nomads. "I tell people every day that we tax accountants are a lot less busy in February than we are in March and April," Pino said. 

The most common types of 1099s

There are several types of 1099 tax forms, and many of them relate to quite specific financial situations. If you made money outside your permanent job, you'll likely encounter one or more of the following forms.

1099-INT

Form 1099-INT documents interest you earned on savings. For example, if you have a high-yield savings account, and the interest on that account came out to $50 this year, both you and the bank are required to report that money as income, and you'll owe taxes on it.

Banks are diligent about sending out 1099-INT forms in a timely manner. If you only receive paperless statements, you'll likely receive this form electronically.

1099-DIV

Form 1099-DIV documents income earned from investment dividends and distributions. If you have a brokerage account that holds stocks or mutual funds, and these investments paid out dividends, that counts as income. This dividend income does not apply to dividends accrued in tax-sheltered retirement accounts, such as a 401(k) or IRA.

1099-MISC

Form 1099-MISC documents miscellaneous income. If you received a payout of over $600 in a given year from a business, you should have received a 1099-MISC. Types of income include prize money, gross proceeds payments to attorneys and rental payments for space or equipment. Form 1099-MISC was previously also used to document nonemployee compensation, but this was discontinued in 2020 when Form 1099-NEC was reintroduced.

Because the MISC has turned into an real miscellaneous category now and no longer includes compensation, "there's not much that goes into that category anymore," said Pino. Purchasing a house is now the most common reason for receiving a 1099-MISC, according to Pino, since you'll have one-time property tax and mortgage-interest deductions.

1099-NEC

Form 1099-NEC documents nonemployee compensation. You'll receive this form if you were self-employed (gig worker, freelancer) or did independent contractor work amounting to over $600 last year. 

As mentioned above, this income used to be reported on the 1099-MISC until 2020. If you've been freelancing for years and no longer receive a 1099-MISC form but receive this one instead, that's why.

If you're on contract with a company but not a full-time employee, and you're being paid based on contract terms, you should expect a 1099-NEC, according to Taylor. 

If you receive independent contractor income, the IRS will classify you as a sole proprietor, even if you don't have a formal business entity, and you may owe self-employment taxes on the income.

1099-K

Form 1099-K documents income you received via third-party payment processing platform. It's similar to nonemployee compensation, but it means you received payment through PayPal, Venmo or Cash App instead of directly from the business. 

Previously, payment processing companies only had to distribute a 1099-K if you had over 200 transactions that together amounted to $20,000 or more in income during a given year. The threshold was lowered to $600 a year, and the new rule was supposed to be implemented this tax season. But since the reporting change would overwhelm taxpayers and clog systems, the IRS announced a plan to delay the implementation of the changes until 2024. 

When the new threshold does go into effect next year, tax experts say it'll be a bumpy ride at first, particularly because some taxpayers might get a 1099-NEC and a 1099-K for the same income. "Don't report both, or you'll be double taxed," said Taylor. 

It's important to note that a 1099-K form reports gross income. Since you likely paid fees to the payment processing platform in order to use their service, be sure to include these expenses in your deductions.

1099-B

Form 1099-B documents income from the sale of securities at a brokerage or barter exchange. If you sold stock last year, the gain or loss will be reported on a 1099-B. Even if you sold at a loss, be diligent about filing this form. You may be able to carry over some of your losses to the following year, offsetting tax potentially owed on future gains. 

Other types of 1099s you might encounter

Though the six 1099s above are the most common, you may also receive one or more of the following.

1099-A

Form 1099-A documents "acquisition or abandonment of secured property." If you lost a property to foreclosure, your lender will send you this form so you can document capital losses. Over 300,000 properties had foreclosure filings in 2022, according to a report from ATTOM, a real estate data company.

If your foreclosure price didn't cover the remaining balance of your mortgage, and your lender determines that you can't pay it, they may forgive your debt. If this happens, also expect to receive Form 1099-C, since canceled debt is considered income.

1099-C

Form 1099-C documents the cancellation of debt. If your debt was forgiven, your lender will send that documentation to both you and the IRS. Your debt is considered taxable income in the year that it's forgiven. Examples of canceled debt include property foreclosure or a charge-off on a credit card.

Form 1099-C does not apply to most debts discharged from bankruptcy.

1099-CAP

Form 1099-CAP documents "changes in corporate control and capital structure." If you owned stock in a company, and the company was acquired or underwent a substantial change in capital structure, you may have to report any cash, stock and/or property that was gained as a result of this change.

1099-G

Form 1099-G is used to report unemployment compensation or other certain government payments, such as refunds on state or local taxes, taxable grants or payments from the Department of Agriculture.

1099-H

Form 1099-H documents payments made in advance to help offset certain qualifying health insurance expenses.

From 2002 to 2021, the Health Coverage Tax Credit provided relief to taxpayers receiving Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), reemployment TAA or benefits from a Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. This legislation helped reduce health insurance costs for vulnerable Americans in the form of a tax credit.

There are legislative efforts to make this program permanent, but negotiations are stalled in the US Senate as of this writing. If you are filing or amending returns from past years, you may encounter this form.

1099-LTC

Form 1099-LTC documents income received as a result of long-term care or accelerated death benefits.

Long-term care insurance is a way for people to navigate the uncertainty of how much care they'll need in their elder years. You may receive a 1099-LTC if your insurance policy is actively being used.

An accelerated death benefit is when a life insurance policyholder receives their benefits before death because they have been deemed terminally ill by a doctor. This benefit is intended to help cover medical costs and make the policyholder comfortable.

1099-LS

Form 1099-LS documents acquired interest in a life insurance contract. 

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 added a new section to the Internal Revenue Code called section 6050Y. This code included new regulations for "reportable policy sales" of life insurance, and the IRS created two new 1099 forms to document this activity: Form 1099-LS and Form 1099-SB.

Companies and individuals will receive Form 1099-LS if they acquired a life insurance contract or any interest in a contract. For example, if a company acquired another company, and part of that company's assets included life insurance holdings, the policy sale needs to be reported.

If a sale occurred, it must be documented with the IRS, and all parties involved will receive a 1099-LS as a result.

1099-OID

Form 1099-OID documents an "original issue discount." 

When you purchase a bond for less than its face value, that's called an original issue discount. You'll redeem the bond at its face value when it matures, and the IRS considers the difference between the two to be taxable income.

1099-PATR

Form 1099-PATR documents "taxable distributions received from cooperatives." If you are part of a cooperative, such as a farmer's co-op, and you received distributions or profits from the cooperative, you'll also receive this tax form.

1099-Q

Form 1099-Q documents "payments from qualified education programs." If you received distributions from a 529 plan or Coverdell education savings account (CESA) for education expenses, you'll receive this form to document that income. The income may or may not be taxable.

1099-QA

Form 1099-QA documents distributions made from an ABLE account. The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014 helps people who experienced the onset of a disability before the age of 26 save and pay for disability-related expenses using a tax-advantaged 529A ABLE account.

Many taxpayers who have a disability rely on public policy programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid. These programs have low ceilings for how much income you can earn. For example, your monthly earned income must be under the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) threshold of $1,470, or $2,460 if you are blind. ABLE accounts were created to help taxpayers and their loved ones contribute to a savings account that can help pay for expenses associated with having a disability, and this wealth is not considered when determining eligibility for SSI or other programs.

Contributions to an ABLE account are post-tax, and any interest accrued in these accounts will be tax-free. Any distributions from these accounts will be documented on Form 1099-QA.

1099-R

Form 1099-R documents "distributions from pensions, annuities, retirement or profit-sharing plans, IRAs and insurance contracts." If some of your income is coming from these sources, expect to receive a 1099-R.

1099-S

Form 1099-S documents profits from a real estate transaction. If you sold real estate that appreciated in value, this difference is subject to capital gains tax. However, there are potential exemptions from this taxable gain.

The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 gives many homeowners relief from this tax liability. If the home you sold was your primary residence, and you lived in it for at least 24 months, you are exempt from the first $250,000 of the gain ($500,000 if married and filing jointly). This exemption can only be applied every two years.

1099-SA

Form 1099-SA documents "distributions from a Health Savings Account (HSA), Archer MSA or Medicare Advantage MSA." Whenever you make a withdrawal from a health savings account, the account holder will send you a 1099-SA to report this income.

HSAs offer triple tax savings. The money you deposit in a health savings account is tax free before deposit and tax free upon withdrawal, and any interest earnings will be tax free as well. To be eligible for this tax benefit, your distributions must be used for qualifying health-related expenses.

1099-SB

Form 1099-SB also documents the sale of a life insurance policy, but this form is filed by the original issuer of the policy after they have received a 1099-LS to document their investment and the surrender amount. The issuer must also file Form 1099-SB if the policy has transferred to a foreign person.

There are substantial rules and regulations for reportable policy sales, and these rules are fairly new. Consider working with a tax professional if you are a company or individual working with 1099-LS and 1099-SB forms.

What should I do if I don't receive all my 1099s?

All 1099s are required to be sent out to recipients by Jan. 31 of each calendar year. If you still haven't received your documents either by mail or electronically, reach out to the issuer for assistance.

If the person or company is not planning to issue you a 1099, you can still claim it as other income or self-employment income on your return, said Taylor. 

However, if you still haven't received your forms by Feb. 28, check your ID.me account to see if a copy was issued to the IRS. As a last resort, you can call the IRS, and they can advise you on whether you can use Form 1099-R as a substitute to document the missing income.

Get your taxes organized today

Having multiple sources of income can feel like a tax headache at first, but once you know the different ways income gets classified, the process becomes much easier. Being organized can help ensure a low-stress filing season.

More tax stories from CNET

• The U.S. job market has almost 600,000 openings requesting cybersecurity-related skills. 
• Employers are struggling to fill these openings due to a general cyber-skill shortage, with many openings remaining vacant each year. 
• When evaluating prospective information-security candidates, employers should look for certifications as an important measure of excellence and commitment to quality.
• This article is for business owners looking to hire cybersecurity experts, or for individuals interested in pursuing a cybersecurity career. 

Cybersecurity is one of the most crucial areas for ensuring a business’s success and longevity. With cyberattacks growing in sophistication, it’s essential for business owners to protect their companies by hiring qualified cybersecurity experts to manage this aspect of their business. The best candidates will have a certification in information security and cybersecurity. This guide breaks down the top certifications and other guidance you’ll need to make the right hire for your company. It’s also a great primer for individuals who are embarking on a cybersecurity career.

Best information security and cybersecurity certifications

When evaluating prospective InfoSec candidates, employers frequently look to certification as an important measure of excellence and commitment to quality. We examined five InfoSec certifications we consider to be leaders in the field of information security today.

This year’s list includes entry-level credentials, such as Security+, as well as more advanced certifications, like Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). According to CyberSeek, more employers are seeking CISA, CISM and CISSP certification holders than there are credential holders, which makes these credentials a welcome addition to any certification portfolio.

Absent from our list of the top five is SANS GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC). Although this certification is still a very worthy credential, the job board numbers for CISA were so solid that it merited a spot in the top five. Farther down in this guide, we offer some additional certification options because the field of information security is both wide and varied.

1. CEH: Certified Ethical Hacker

The CEH (ANSI) certification is an intermediate-level credential offered by the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council). It’s a must-have for IT professionals who are pursuing careers in white hat hacking and certifies their competence in the five phases of ethical hacking: reconnaissance, enumeration, gaining of access, access maintenance and track covering. 

CEH credential holders possess skills and knowledge of hacking practices in areas such as footprinting and reconnaissance, network scanning, enumeration, system hacking, Trojans, worms and viruses, sniffers, denial-of-service attacks, social engineering, session hijacking, web server hacking, wireless networks and web applications, SQL injection, cryptography, penetration testing, IDS evasion, firewalls and honeypots. CEH V11 provides a remapping of the course to the NIST/NICE framework’s Protect and Defend (PR) job role category, as well as an additional focus on emerging threats in cloud, OT and IT security, such as fileless malware.

To obtain a CEH (ANSI) certification, candidates must pass one exam. A comprehensive five-day CEH training course is recommended, with the exam presented at the course’s conclusion. Candidates may self-study for the exam but must submit documentation of at least two years of work experience in information security with employer verification. Self-study candidates must also pay an additional $100 application fee. Education may be substituted for experience, but this is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Candidates who complete any EC-Council-approved training (including with the iClass platform, academic institutions or an accredited training center) do not need to submit an application prior to attempting the exam.

Because technology in the field of hacking changes almost daily, CEH credential holders are required to obtain 120 continuing-education credits for each three-year cycle.

Once a candidate obtains the CEH (ANSI) designation, a logical progression on the EC-Council certification ladder is the CEH (Practical) credential. The CEH (Practical) designation targets the application of CEH skills to real-world security audit challenges and related scenarios. To obtain the credential, candidates must pass a rigorous six-hour practical examination. Conducted on live virtual machines, candidates are presented 20 scenarios with questions designed to validate a candidate’s ability to perform tasks such as vulnerability analysis, identification of threat vectors, web app and system hacking, OS detection, network scanning, packet sniffing, steganography and virus identification. Candidates who pass both the CEH (ANSI) and the CEH (Practical) exams earn the CEH (Master) designation.

CEH facts and figures

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) training

While EC-Council offers both instructor-led and online training for its CEH certification, IT professionals have plenty of other options for self-study materials, including video training, practice exams and books.

Pluralsight currently offers an ethical-hacking learning path geared toward the 312-50 exam. With a monthly subscription, you get access to all of these courses, plus everything else in Pluralsight’s training library. Through Pluralsight’s learning path, students can prepare for all of the domains covered in the CEH exam.  

CyberVista offers a practice exam for the CEH 312-50 certification that includes several sets of exam-like questions, custom quizzes, flash cards and more. An exam prep subscription for 180 days costs $149 and gives candidates access to online study materials, as well as the ability to get the materials for offline study. Backed by its “pass guarantee,” CyberVista is so confident its practice exam will prepare you for the CEH exam that the company will refund its practice questions costs if you don’t pass.

FYI: Besides certifications in information security and cybersecurity, the best IT certifications cover areas such as disaster recovery, virtualization and telecommunications.

2. CISM: Certified Information Security Manager

The CISM certification is a top credential for IT professionals who are responsible for managing, developing and overseeing information security systems in enterprise-level applications or for developing organizational security best practices. The CISM credential was introduced to security professionals in 2003 by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA).

ISACA’s organizational goals are specifically geared toward IT professionals who are interested in the highest-quality standards with respect to the auditing, control and security of information systems. The CISM credential targets the needs of IT security professionals with enterprise-level security management responsibilities. Credential holders possess advanced and proven skills in security risk management, program development and management, governance, and incident management and response.

Holders of the CISM credential, which is designed for experienced security professionals, must agree to ISACA’s code of ethics, pass a comprehensive examination, possess at least five years of experience in information security management, comply with the organization’s continuing education policy and submit a written application. Some combinations of education and experience may be substituted for the full experience requirement.

The CISM credential is valid for three years, and credential holders must pay an annual maintenance fee of $45 (ISACA members) or $85 (nonmembers). Credential holders are also required to obtain a minimum of 120 continuing professional education (CPE) credits over the three-year term to maintain the credential. At least 20 CPE credits must be earned every year.

CISM facts and figures

Other ISACA certification program elements

In addition to CISM, ISACA offers numerous certifications for those interested in information security and best practices. Other credentials worth considering include the following:

• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT)
• Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

The CISA designation was created for professionals working with information systems auditing, control or security and is popular enough with employers to earn it a place on the leaderboard. The CGEIT credential targets IT professionals working in enterprise IT management, governance, strategic alignment, value delivery, and risk and resource performance management. IT professionals who are seeking careers in all aspects of risk management will find that the CRISC credential nicely meets their needs.

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) training

Pluralsight offers a CISM learning path containing five courses and 17 hours of instruction. The courses cover the domains addressed in the exam, but the learning path is aimed at the CISM job practice areas. 

CyberVista offers a CISM online training course in both live and on-demand formats. The course includes more than 16 hours of training videos, supplementary lessons, custom quizzes, practice exam questions and access to experts through the instructor. As with other CyberVista courses, the CISM training course comes with a “pass guarantee.” 

Did you know?: According to CyberSeek, there are enough workers to fill only 68% of the cybersecurity job openings in the U.S. A cybersecurity certification is an important way to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to succeed in these job roles.

3. CompTIA Security+

CompTIA’s Security+ is a well-respected, vendor-neutral security certification. Security+ credential holders are recognized as possessing superior technical skills, broad knowledge and expertise in multiple security-related disciplines.

Although Security+ is an entry-level certification, the ideal candidates possess at least two years of experience working in network security and should consider first obtaining the Network+ certification. IT pros who obtain this certification have expertise in areas such as threat management, cryptography, identity management, security systems, security risk identification and mitigation, network access control, and security infrastructure. The CompTIA Security+ credential is approved by the U.S. Department of Defense to meet Directive 8140/8570.01-M requirements. In addition, the Security+ credential complies with the standards for ISO 17024.

The Security+ credential requires a single exam, currently priced at $381. (Discounts may apply to employees of CompTIA member companies and full-time students.) Training is available but not required.

IT professionals who earned the Security+ certification prior to Jan. 1, 2011, remain certified for life. Those who certify after that date must renew the certification every three years to stay current. To renew, candidates must obtain 50 continuing-education units (CEUs) or complete the CertMaster CE online course prior to the expiration of the three-year period. CEUs can be obtained by engaging in activities such as teaching, blogging, publishing articles or whitepapers, and participating in professional conferences and similar activities.

CompTIA Security+ facts and figures

CompTIA Security+ training

You’ll find several companies offering online training, instructor-led and self-study courses, practice exams and books to help you prepare for and pass the Security+ exam.

Pluralsight offers a Security+ learning path as a part of its monthly subscription plan for the latest SY0-601 exam. Split into six sections, the training series is more than 24 hours long and covers attacks, threats and vulnerabilities; architecture and design; implementation of secure solutions; operations and incident response; and governance, risk and compliance.

CyberVista offers a Security+ practice exam so you can test your security knowledge before attempting the SY0-601 exam. The test comes with a 180-day access period and includes multiple sets of exam questions, key concept flash cards, access to InstructorLink experts, a performance tracker and more. As with CyberVista’s other offerings, this practice exam comes with a “pass guarantee.”

4. CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional

CISSP is an advanced-level certification for IT pros who are serious about careers in information security. Offered by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, known as (ISC)2 (pronounced “ISC squared”), this vendor-neutral credential is recognized worldwide for its standards of excellence.

CISSP credential holders are decision-makers who possess the expert knowledge and technical skills necessary to develop, guide and manage security standards, policies and procedures within their organizations. The CISSP certification continues to be highly sought after by IT professionals and is well recognized by IT organizations. It is a regular fixture on most-wanted and must-have security certification surveys.

CISSP is designed for experienced security professionals. A minimum of five years of experience in at least two of (ISC)2’s eight common body of knowledge (CBK) domains, or four years of experience in at least two of (ISC)2’s CBK domains and a college degree or an approved credential, is required for this certification. The CBK domains are security and risk management, asset security, security architecture and engineering, communications and network security, identity and access management, security assessment and testing, security operations, and software development security.

(ISC)2 also offers three CISSP concentrations targeting specific areas of interest in IT security:

• Architecture (CISSP-ISSAP)
• Engineering (CISSP-ISSEP)
• Management (CISSP-ISSMP)

Each CISSP concentration exam is $599, and credential seekers must currently possess a valid CISSP.

An annual fee of $125 is required to maintain the CISSP credential. Recertification is required every three years. To recertify, candidates must earn 40 CPE credits each year, for a total of 120 CPE credits within the three-year cycle.

CISSP facts and figures

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) training

Given the popularity of the CISSP certification, there is no shortage of available training options. These include classroom-based training offered by (ISC)2, as well as online video courses, practice exams and books from third-party companies.

Pluralsight’s CISSP learning path includes 12 courses and 25 hours of e-learning covering the security concepts required for the certification exam. Available for a low monthly fee, the CISSP courses are part of a subscription plan that gives IT professionals access to Pluralsight’s complete library of video training courses.

When you’re ready to test your security knowledge, you can take a simulated exam that mimics the format and content of the real CISSP exam. Udemy offers CISSP practice exams to help you prepare for this challenging exam.

5. CISA: Certified Information Systems Auditor

ISACA’s globally recognized CISA certification is the gold standard for IT workers seeking to practice in information security, audit control and assurance. Ideal candidates can identify and assess organizational threats and vulnerabilities, assess compliance, and provide guidance and organizational security controls. CISA-certified professionals demonstrate knowledge and skill across the CISA job practice areas of auditing, governance and management, acquisition, development and implementation, maintenance and service management, and asset protection.

To earn the CISA certification, candidates must pass one exam, submit an application, agree to the code of professional ethics, agree to the CPE requirements and agree to the organization’s information systems auditing standards. In addition, candidates must possess at least five years of experience working with information systems. Some substitutions for education and experience with auditing are permitted.

To maintain the CISA certification, candidates must earn 120 CPE credits over a three-year period, with a minimum of 20 CPE credits earned annually. Candidates must also pay an annual maintenance fee ($45 for members; $85 for nonmembers).

CISA facts and figures

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) training

Training opportunities for the CISA certification are plentiful. Udemy offers more than 160 CISA-related courses, lectures, practice exams, question sets and more. On Pluralsight, you’ll find 12 courses with 27 hours of information systems auditor training covering all CISA job practice domains for the CISA job practice areas.

Beyond the top 5: More cybersecurity certifications

In addition to these must-have credentials, many other certifications are available to fit the career needs of any IT professional interested in information security. Business owners should consider employing workers with these credentials as well.

• The SANS GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) certification remains an excellent entry-level credential for IT professionals seeking to demonstrate that they not only understand information security terminology and concepts but also possess the skills and technical expertise necessary to occupy “hands-on” security roles.
• If you find incident response and investigation intriguing, check out the Logical Operations CyberSec First Responder (CFR) certification. This ANSI-accredited and U.S. DoD-8570-compliant credential recognizes security professionals who can design secure IT environments, perform threat analysis, and respond appropriately and effectively to cyberattacks. Logical Operations also offers other certifications, including Master Mobile Application Developer (MMAD), Certified Virtualization Professional (CVP), Cyber Secure Coder and CloudMASTER.
• The associate-level Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate certification is aimed at analysts in security operations centers at large companies and organizations. Candidates who qualify through Cisco’s global scholarship program may receive free training, mentoring and testing to help them achieve a range of entry-level to expert certifications that the company offers. CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+), which launched in 2017, is a vendor-neutral certification designed for professionals with three to four years of security and behavioral analytics experience.
• The Identity Management Institute offers several credentials for identity and access management, data protection, identity protection, identity governance and more. The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), which focuses on privacy, has a small but growing number of certifications as well.
• The SECO-Institute, in cooperation with the Security Academy Netherlands and APMG, is behind the Cyber Security & Governance Certification Program; SECO-Institute certifications aren’t well known in the United States, but their popularity is growing. 
• It also may be worth your time to browse the Chartered Institute of Information Security accreditations, the U.K. equivalent of the U.S. DoD 8570 certifications and the corresponding 8140 framework.

Also, consider these five entry-level cybersecurity certifications for more options.

Tip: Before you decide to purchase training for a certification or an exam voucher, see if your employer will cover the cost. Employers may cover all or part of the cost if you have a continuing education or training allowance, or if the certification is in line with your current or potential job duties.

Information security and cybersecurity jobs

According to CyberSeek, the number of cybersecurity job openings in the U.S. stands at almost 598,000, with about 1.05 million cybersecurity professionals employed in today’s workforce. Projections continue to be robust: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 33% growth in information security analyst positions between 2020 and 2030; in comparison, the average rate of growth for all occupations is about 8%.

Security-related job roles include information security specialist, security analyst, network security administrator, system administrator (with security as a responsibility) and security engineer, as well as specialized roles, like malware engineer, intrusion analyst and penetration tester.

Average salaries for information security specialists and security engineers – two of the most common job roles – vary depending on the source. For example, SimplyHired reports about $74,000 for specialist positions, whereas Glassdoor‘s national average is about $108,000. For security engineers, SimplyHired reports almost $112,000, while Glassdoor’s average is more than $111,000, with salaries on the high end reported at $261,000. Note that these numbers frequently change as the sources regularly update their data. [Meet the man who kept Microsoft safe and secure for more than a decade.]

Our informal job board survey from April 2022 reports the number of job posts nationwide in which our featured certifications were mentioned on a given day. This should deliver you an idea of the relative popularity of each certification.

Job board search results (in alphabetical order by cybersecurity certification)

Did you know?: Cybersecurity matters even when you’re traveling. Find out how to keep your computer secure when you’re on the road for business or pleasure.

The importance of hiring information security and cybersecurity professionals

According to Risk Based Security‘s 2021 Year End Data Breach Quickview Report, there were 4,145 publicly disclosed breaches throughout 2021, containing over 22 billion records. This is the second-highest number of breached records, after an all-time high the year before. The U.S. was particularly affected, with the number of breaches increasing 10% compared with the previous year. More than 80% of the records exposed throughout 2021 were due to human error, highlighting an ever-increasing need for cybersecurity education, as well as for highly skilled and trained cybersecurity professionals. [Learn how to recover from a data breach.]

If you’re serious about advancing your career in the IT field and are interested in specializing in security, certification is a great choice. It’s an effective way to validate your skills and show a current or prospective employer that you’re qualified and properly trained. If you’re a business owner, hiring certified professionals and skilled IT managers can help prevent cyberattacks and provide confidence that your company’s security is in the right hands. In the meantime, review our quick cybersecurity tips to Boost your company’s protection.

Jeremy Bender contributed to the writing and research in this article.

Seri Damai, Seri Daya join MISC LNG Carrier Fleet

MISC welcomed two of its latest new generation of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carriers, Seri Damai and Seri Daya to its fleet of LNG carriers. 

These 174,000 CBM LNG carriers were built for MISC by Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (SHI), and upon their delivery, the new LNG carriers will be on long-term charters to ExxonMobil’s wholly-owned subsidiary, SeaRiver Maritime LLC (SRM) and will be managed by Eaglestar Shipmanagenent (S) Pte.Ltd.

“The delivery of Seri Damai and Seri Daya today, marks a strong start to the year and a significant milestone in MISC’s partnership with SeaRiver Maritime," said Captain Rajalingam Subramaniam, MISC’s President & Group Chief Executive Officer. “My appreciation goes out to our shipbuilder, Samsung Heavy Industries, in-house Project Management team from Eaglestar, Gas Assets & Solutions (GAS) Business team, Class Society ABS and all partners and collabora-tors involved in the safe construction of this state-of-the-art LNG carriers."

“The Seri Daya and Seri Damai represent another major milestone in the valued relationship between SeaRiver Maritime, MISC Berhad, and Samsung Heavy Industries Shipyard,” said Mr. Kostelnik, President & CEO of SeaRiver Maritime, Inc. “This is a step forward in supporting a net-zero future as we add modern, energy-efficient LNG carriers to support ExxonMobil’s growing LNG business.”

With the addition of Seri Damai and Seri Daya MISC now has 31 LNG carriers in its GAS Business, in addition to six Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLECs) and two LNG Floating Storage Units (FSUs), which has a combined deadweight tonnage (dwt) capacity of over two million tons.

The ships feature advanced technology to cater to the growing needs for safe, reliable and energy-efficient solutions in the transportation of LNG. The LNG carriers have enhanced cargo tank insulation with the GTT Mark-III Flex PLUS cargo containment system which is designed to reduce the boil-off rate to 0.07% of cargo volume per day for improved efficiency.

Powered by WinGD X-DF propulsion, the vessels fulfill the IMO Tier-III emission requirements without any external exhaust gas after-treatment system. It also complies with the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) standard while the eco-efficient vessels are also certified with ENVIRO Notation, a voluntary adoption of integrating ABS re-quirements with international conventions for environmental protection.

Seri Damai and Seri Daya use the Samsung SVESSEL technology for enhanced safety and efficiency through remote monitoring of vessel performance and operations.

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Relax, Californians — the Middle Class Tax Refund you received last year will not be subject to federal taxes.

The Internal Revenue Service issued long-awaited guidance Friday afternoon, saying it “determined it will not challenge the taxability of payments related to general welfare and disaster relief.” California’s Middle Class Tax Refund falls into that category, the agency said, as do the payments in 16 other states.

According to the IRS, you won’t need to report the payment as income on your 2022 return. So recipients can ignore the federal 1099-MISC form sent out last month by the state Franchise Tax Board.

Accountants across California had been grumbling for weeks about the IRS’ refusal to clarify the issue. And on Thursday, the IRS’ in-house taxpayer advocate service added its voice in a blog post.

“Giving taxpayers a choice between waiting to file their returns and receive their refunds or filing returns now that the IRS may later determine to be inaccurate is not acceptable,” the National Taxpayer Advocate said. The advocate is an independent division within the IRS that helps taxpayers resolve problems with the agency.

“This was a known issue, with ramifications for tens of millions of taxpayers, tax return preparers (who still prepare most federal income tax returns) and tax software developers. The failure to have identified and resolved this issue before the filing season suggests that someone, or everyone, was asleep at the switch.”

Although the IRS has published several forests’ worth of guides on the intricacies of the federal tax code, it hesitated to clarify how California households should treat the $200 to $1,050 they received from the state’s Middle Class Tax Refund. The confusion stemmed from the fact that the payments were not actually tax refunds but were just (for lack of a better term) handouts. Were they tax refunds, they would be considered taxable income by the feds only for recipients who itemize their deductions and write off their state taxes.

And while the payments were funded with federal COVID-19 relief dollars, they were not explicitly aimed at helping people affected by the pandemic — a designation that would have exempted them from federal taxation. Instead, California billed the money as relief from the state’s high gasoline prices.

Last week, the IRS urged taxpayers who were uncertain about how to treat these payments to hold off filing their federal returns, promising to offer clarity to at least some taxpayers this week.

Matthew Frankel, a certified financial planner and contributor to the Motley Fool financial website, said the 17 states that issued some type of rebate last year typically used federal COVID relief money to pay for them. The stated goal of the aid, however, usually was to help households cope with inflation, Frankel said.

These sorts of rebates should be exempt from federal taxes, he said, because they fall under “general welfare exclusion.” That category covers payments a state makes to benefit the public at large, such as the checks California sent to low- and moderate-income households in 2021 as part of the Golden State Stimulus program.

In Friday’s guidance, the IRS said that determining whether a payment fit into the tax-exempt categories of general welfare or disaster relief was “a complex fact intensive inquiry that depends on a number of considerations.”

Given both the nature of the payments and taxpayers’ need for “certainty and clarity,” the IRS said it “will not challenge the treatment of the 2022 payment as excludable for income on an original or amended return.” One reason, it said, was “the fact that the pandemic emergency declaration is ending in May, 2023 making this an issue only for the 2022 tax year.”

Most Californians received their Middle Class Tax Refund in 2022, but some payments went out this year.

The state Franchise Tax Board has said California won’t tax the payments. It offered no guidance on whether the money would be subject to federal taxes.

H&R Block didn’t wait for the IRS to get off the fence, Frankel said; the service has been treating the Middle Class Tax Refund as exempt from federal taxes and not waiting to file returns. Similarly, he said, Intuit’s TurboTax software is treating the payments as tax exempt.

Tax professionals say that Californians should file their returns as soon as they can. That’s because about 75% of households are due a refund — the average was a little more than $3,000 last year — and the longer they wait to claim it, the longer they’re lending money to the feds interest-free. Worse, some tax pros warn, the later you file, the greater the risk that a fraudster will use your stolen Social Security number to try to claim your refund before you do.

WPBF 25 NEWS. IF YOU NEED HELP FILING YOUR TAXES THIS YEAR, INDIAN RIVER ESTATES COLLEGE IS OFFERING TO HELP START THROUGH STARTING TODAY THROUGH NEXT MONTH. YOU CAN SCAN THE QR CODE RIGHT HERE AT THE BOTTOM RIGHT OF YOUR SCREEN TO SEE WHAT DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO BRING WITH YOU. ACCOUNTING STUDENTS ARE VOLUNTEERING TO HELP THROUGH THE COLLEGE’S INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, AND THAT’S FOR PEOPLE WHO EARN $66,000 OR LESS. LAST YEAR. THEY WILL BE AT THE COLLEGE’S MASSEY CAMPUS IN FORT PIERCE FOR ABOUT ANOTHER HOUR UNTIL 630 TONIGHT. THEY ARE OFFERING THIS FREE ASSISTAN

Here's where you can file your taxes for free in South Florida

Updated: 6:02 PM EST Feb 9, 2023

The filing deadline for taxes is April 18 this year.There are several places in the Palm beaches and Treasure Coast that are helping people do their taxes for free.United Way of Palm Beach CountyThe 20th year of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program offers free income tax preparation for people who have a 2022 income of $70,000 or less.The program files electronically through "a secure IRS-certified program" so that people can receive money while also saving it on filing fees, according to the program.In 2022, the volunteers process over 7,300 tax returns. It has returned more than $267 million to the Palm Beach County economy since 2003, according to the group.To file online, click here.To file in person, click here to find the nearest location. There is no appointment required. When going in person, taxpayers need to bring the following documents:2021 tax returnsocial security cards and birthdates for all family membersall W2 statements for 2022 forms 1095-A, 1099, and 1098a photo ID and a voided checkNote: Joint returns require both spouses to attend. Those who earned less than $60,000 may also be eligible for up to $6,935 in Earned Income Tax Credits.Indian River State CollegeAnyone who made less than $66,000 in 2022 is eligible.Services are available on Thursdays from Feb. 9 through March 23, except on March 16. Services are done in Room 102 of the Brown Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Building Y) at the IRSC Massey Campus located at 3209 Virginia Avenue.They take place from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. No appointments are necessary. Those who are married and filing jointly must both be present to electronically file the return.Everything is overseen by tax professionals.Assistance will be provided for those filing: Form 1040-A Form 1040-EZ Form 1040-V 1040-ES Form 1040 (A, B, C-EZ, D, EIC, R, SE) Form 2441 (Dependent Care Expenses) Schedule 8812 (Additional Child Tax Credit) Form 8863 (Education Credit)Assistance WILL NOT be provided for those filing: Schedule C (with loss, depreciation or use of home) Complicated Schedule D (capital gains and losses) Form SS-5 (request for Social Security Number) Form 8606 (non-deductible IRA) Form 8814 (child taxed at parent's tax rate) Form SS-8 (determination of worker status for taxes) Parts 4 & 5 of Form 8962 (Premium Tax Credits)Participants must bring the following items to the sessions: Proof of identification (photo ID) Social Security cards (or ITINs) for you, your spouse and dependents Birth dates for you, your spouse and all dependents on the tax return Wage statements (Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc) from all employers Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099) Health Insurance Exemption Certificate, if received A copy of last year's federal and state returns (if available) Proof of bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit, such as a blank check Total paid for day care and the day care provider's tax identifying number (EIN or SSN) Forms 1095-A, B and C, Health Coverage Statements Copies of income transcripts from IRS and state, if applicable Charitable contribution letters from recipients (church or other 501(c)(3) organizations)For more information, call Matthew Boucher at 772-462-7489

The filing deadline for taxes is April 18 this year.

There are several places in the Palm beaches and Treasure Coast that are helping people do their taxes for free.

United Way of Palm Beach County

The 20th year of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program offers free income tax preparation for people who have a 2022 income of $70,000 or less.

The program files electronically through "a secure IRS-certified program" so that people can receive money while also saving it on filing fees, according to the program.

In 2022, the volunteers process over 7,300 tax returns. It has returned more than $267 million to the Palm Beach County economy since 2003, according to the group.

To file online, click here.

To file in person, click here to find the nearest location. There is no appointment required.

When going in person, taxpayers need to bring the following documents:

• 2021 tax return
• social security cards and birthdates for all family members
• all W2 statements for 2022
• forms 1095-A, 1099, and 1098
• a photo ID and a voided check

Note: Joint returns require both spouses to attend. Those who earned less than $60,000 may also be eligible for up to $6,935 in Earned Income Tax Credits.

Indian River State College

Anyone who made less than $66,000 in 2022 is eligible.

Services are available on Thursdays from Feb. 9 through March 23, except on March 16. Services are done in Room 102 of the Brown Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Building Y) at the IRSC Massey Campus located at 3209 Virginia Avenue.

They take place from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. No appointments are necessary. Those who are married and filing jointly must both be present to electronically file the return.

Everything is overseen by tax professionals.

Assistance will be provided for those filing:

• Form 1040-A
• Form 1040-EZ
• Form 1040-V 1040-ES
• Form 1040 (A, B, C-EZ, D, EIC, R, SE)
• Form 2441 (Dependent Care Expenses)
• Schedule 8812 (Additional Child Tax Credit)
• Form 8863 (Education Credit)

Assistance WILL NOT be provided for those filing:

• Schedule C (with loss, depreciation or use of home)
• Complicated Schedule D (capital gains and losses)
• Form SS-5 (request for Social Security Number)
• Form 8606 (non-deductible IRA)
• Form 8814 (child taxed at parent's tax rate)
• Form SS-8 (determination of worker status for taxes)
• Parts 4 & 5 of Form 8962 (Premium Tax Credits)

Participants must bring the following items to the sessions:

• Proof of identification (photo ID)
• Social Security cards (or ITINs) for you, your spouse and dependents
• Birth dates for you, your spouse and all dependents on the tax return
• Wage statements (Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc) from all employers
• Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
• Health Insurance Exemption Certificate, if received
• A copy of last year's federal and state returns (if available)
• Proof of bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit, such as a blank check
• Total paid for day care and the day care provider's tax identifying number (EIN or SSN)
• Forms 1095-A, B and C, Health Coverage Statements
• Copies of income transcripts from IRS and state, if applicable
• Charitable contribution letters from recipients (church or other 501(c)(3) organizations)

For more information, call Matthew Boucher at 772-462-7489

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority

Ref: IRDAI/REIN/GDL/MISC/2/1/2023 Dated: January 3, 2023

To
The CEOs of All Insurers

Subject: Guidelines on issuance of File Reference Numbers (FRN) to Cross Border Re­insurers

1. Background:

A. The Indian Insurance Industry is poised for growth and the Authority has been taking various steps to reduce the protection gap and develop the Insurance industry. These steps are towards ease of doing business and would also facilitate further development of the insurance industry.

B. The availability of well-developed reinsurance market ensures that insurance products are available at reasonable prices to the policyholders. The Cross Border Re-insurers (CBRs) play a significant role in reinsurance market in providing reinsurance support/capacity to the Insurers. The insurer has to ensure that CBRs meet, interalia, rating requirements as per IRDAI (Reinsurance) Regulations, 2018 and shall have File Reference Number (FRN), before placing any business with them. At present, such FRNs are allotted on annual basis by the Authority.

C. After considering the feedback and also inputs from the Task Force on Non-life Insurers and Reinsurers and the Working group on ease of doing business, it has been decided to consider Auto-renewal of FRNs by the Insurer itself, provided such CBRs meet the required criteria as specified hereafter.

D. The Authority in exercise of the powers conferred under Sec. 34 (1) of the Insurance Act, 1938 read with Reg. 4 (3) and 12 (3) of the IRDAI (Re-insurance) Regulations, 2018, makes the following Guidelines.

E. These Guidelines aim to streamline the regulatory process with respect to cross border reinsurers and will supersede existing Guidelines No. IRDA/R1/GDL/MISC/015/01/2021 dated 22th January, 2021, on CBRs.

2. Allotment of FRN to CBRs

A) Application for New FRN:

i. The CBRs, who meet the eligibility criteria as per the extant regulations, will qualify as ‘Eligible CBRs’. The CBRs, who do not meet the eligibility criteria, are regarded as ‘Non-Eligible CBR’;

ii. The insurers, who wish to place re-insurance business with CBR, shall file an online application with the Authority at https://cbr.irdai.gov.in/login.aspx (CBR Portal) in the form as specified at Annexure – 1, for allotment of FRN to CBRs under the category of either ‘Eligible CBR’ or ‘Non-Eligible CBR’, as the case may be;

iii. The Authority may raise any other requirements, if necessary, for processing of such application while allotting FRN to CBR. After examination of submissions made by the insurer, the Authority allots system generated FRN to the CBR;

iv. Filing of application for allotment of FRN to CBR shall commensurate with Re­insurance programme of the insurer, as per extant regulations.

B) Application for Renewal of FRN:

The Insurer can generate FRNs on their own for the CBRs who qualify for Auto-renewal. The CBRs, who do not qualify for Auto-renewal, shall have to obtain FRN on annual basis. The detailed procedure is as under:

i. Process for ‘Auto – Renewal’ of FRN:

a) To qualify for Auto-renewal of a CBR, the Insurer shall ensure that –

(i) Credit rating of the CBR shall not be less than ‘Standard & Poor’s A- or equivalent. The latest credit rating of the CBR shall not be prior to 12 months from the date of application for Auto-renewal;

(ii) CBR has been allotted FRN under ‘Eligible CBR’ by the Authority in the financial year preceding to the financial year for which application is made;

(iii) necessary and latest information is filed and

(iv) Such CBR meets the other requirements as per Reg. 4 (1) of IRDAI (Reinsurance) Regulations, 2018 to qualify as ‘Eligible CBR’

b) While doing Auto-renewal process, if the applicant Insurer notices that CBR does not meet the requirements as per (a) above, it shall file the application for renewal as per the process stated in para B(ii) below.

c) The portal would be available for Auto-renewal for the current financial year and would also be available three months in advance for the next financial year.

d) The auto-renewal facility is available for three consecutive financial years for a CBR. After three financial years, fresh application has to be submitted by the insurer through CBR portal.

ii. Process for Renewal of FRN for the CBR, who does not qualify for Auto-renewal:

a) On completion of every financial year, any insurer may make an application for Renewal of FRN through the CBR portal.

b) The Authority, on examination of submissions made by the insurer, may allot system generated FRN.

c) The validity of renewed FRN allotted to such CBRs shall be for one financial year.

3. General Provisions:

i. No insurer shall place re-insurance business with any CBR without valid FRN.

ii. The Authority may allot country wise separate FRN to the CBR.

iii. The facility for Auto-renewal would be available for FY 2023-24 and thereafter.

iv. Once FRN is allotted for a particular CBR, the same shall be used by other insurer for placement of reinsurance business with such CBRs.

v. The Insurer, while placing reinsurance business with CBR (who has valid FRN), shall satisfy itself and is solely responsible to ensure that the CBR meets the eligible conditions as per the extant regulations.

vi. The Insurer shall place all the re-insurance business placements made with the ‘Non-Eligible’ CBRs before its Board of Directors for their approval / ratification, and shall file within fifteen days the certified copy of such resolution with the Authority.

vii. The insurer, within thirty days of commencement of the financial year, shall submit a certificate of compliance (Annexure-2) to the Authority confirming that all the re-insurance placements are made with the CBRs who comply with the eligibility criteria or with those CBRs prescribed in these guidelines. This certificate is to be filed with the Authority along with submissions required to be made under Reg. 3 (3) (A) (c) of the IRDAI (Re-insurance) Regulations, 2018.

viii. Notwithstanding anything contained in these guidelines, the insurer shall comply with the Insurance Act,1938 and other applicable regulations issued by the Authority from time to time.

These Guidelines shall come into force from the date of the issue.

A Ramana Rao

Chief General Manager (Re-insurance)

Download Annexure – 1 and Annexure-2