Important note: Tern does not generate or file 1099s on your behalf. This report is intended to help you access the underlying payout data used for year-end reporting.
Step 1: Open the Commission Payouts report
Log in to Tern as an agency owner or admin.
Navigate to Reports → Commission Payouts.
Confirm you are viewing the Commission Payouts report, which includes summary totals and a detailed payout table.
This report includes:
Total payouts across your agency
Payout totals grouped by advisor
Individual payout records with supporting details
Step 2: Set the correct date range for the tax year
At the top of the report, set the Payout Date filter to match the tax year you are reporting on (for example, January 1–December 31).
Only payouts with a payout date within this range will be included in:
The total payout summary
The “Total Payouts by Advisor” table
The “Individual Payouts” table
This ensures your exported data aligns with the calendar-year reporting required for 1099s.
Step 3: Review totals by advisor
Scroll to the Total Payouts by Advisor table.
For each advisor, this table shows:
Advisor name and email
Total payout amount for the selected date range
Number of individual payouts included in that total
This view is helpful for quickly identifying:
Which advisors crossed reporting thresholds
The total amount paid to each advisor during the year
Step 4: Download advisor-level payout totals
To export this data:
Open the more menu (•••) in the top-right corner of the Total Payouts by Advisor table.
Select Download.
Save the exported file to share with your accountant or import into your tax preparation workflow.
This export provides advisor-level totals commonly used as a starting point for 1099 preparation.
Step 5: Download individual payout records (optional but recommended)
For more detailed reporting or reconciliation, scroll to the Individual Payouts table.
This table includes:
Advisor name
Supplier and client details
Confirmation numbers
Payout amount and currency
Payout date
Payout type (for example, commission or bonus)
To export individual payout data:
Open the more menu (•••) on the Individual Payouts table.
Select Download.
This export is useful if you or your accountant need to:
Validate totals
Separate commissions from bonuses or adjustments
Trace payouts back to specific bookings
Step 6: Share exports with your accountant or tax professional
Once downloaded, you can provide the exported files to your accountant or upload them into your tax filing system to complete 1099 preparation.
A few things to keep in mind
Tern reports payouts based on payout date, not booking or travel dates.
Any totals shown will be converted to your preferred currency. If you work in multiple currencies, you can see currencies of individual payouts in the payouts table.
Tern does not determine whether a 1099 is required for a specific advisor. Reporting requirements vary based on your business structure and local regulations.
If you have questions about whether you need to file a 1099 or how to complete one, we recommend consulting a qualified tax professional.