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How to Delete an Issuer (Employer/Payer)

Remove an issuer you no longer file for or mark it inactive to hide it.

In the Helper, the employers, payers, and lenders you file for are called Issuers. Deleting an issuer removes it permanently.

Before you can delete an issuer, it can’t have any forms or linked recipients. If an issuer has ever eFiled forms, it can’t be deleted. Filed forms stay on your account, so mark the issuer inactive instead.

Which option is right for me?

Step 1. Remove the issuer’s forms and recipients

  1. Go to Forms in the left menu.

Forms page in the left menu Forms page in the left menu

  1. Use the Issuers filter to show only this issuer’s forms.

Issuers filter open on the Forms page Issuers filter open on the Forms page

  1. Check the select-all box at the top of the list. This selects every form that matches your filter, not just the ones on this page.

Select all box checked on the Forms list Select all box checked on the Forms list

  1. Click Delete in the bar at the bottom of the screen, then confirm.

Selection bar with Delete on the Forms page Selection bar with Delete on the Forms page


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Filed or submitted forms in your selection are skipped. If any are skipped, the issuer can’t be deleted. Mark it inactive instead.
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Unlink or delete the issuer’s recipients

  1. Go to Recipients in the left menu.

Recipients page in the left menu Recipients page in the left menu

  1. Use the All issuers filter to show only this issuer’s recipients.

All issuers filter open on the Recipient Directory All issuers filter open on the Recipient Directory

  1. Check the box next to each recipient.

Recipient row selected Recipient row selected

  1. Click Unlink from issuer to remove the link and keep the recipient, or Delete to remove the recipient completely.

Recipient selection bar with Unlink from issuer and Delete Recipient selection bar with Unlink from issuer and Delete

When the Forms column on the Issuers page reads 0 and no recipients are linked, you’re ready to delete the issuer.

Step 2. Delete the issuer

Warning: deleting an issuer is permanent. This can’t be undone.

  1. Go to Issuers in the left menu.

Issuers page in the left menu Issuers page in the left menu

  1. Find the issuer and click Actions on its row.

Issuer row with Forms count of 0 and the Actions button Issuer row with Forms count of 0 and the Actions button

  1. Click Delete. The Delete this issuer? window opens.

Issuer Actions menu with View Issuer and Delete Issuer Actions menu with View Issuer and Delete

  1. Check I understand this permanently deletes 1 issuer. The Delete issuer button stays grayed out until you do.

Delete this issuer window with the acknowledgment box unchecked Delete this issuer window with the acknowledgment box unchecked

  1. Click Delete issuer. Click Cancel if you change your mind.

Delete this issuer window with the box checked and Delete issuer enabled Delete this issuer window with the box checked and Delete issuer enabled

Your issuer is deleted and removed from your list.
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Delete several issuers at once

  1. Go to Issuers and check the box next to each issuer you want to remove.

Issuer row selected Issuer row selected

  1. Click Delete in the bar at the bottom of the screen. The Delete issuers? window opens.

Issuer selection bar with Mark active, Mark Inactive, TIN Check, and Delete Issuer selection bar with Mark active, Mark Inactive, TIN Check, and Delete

  1. Review the list. Any issuer that can’t be deleted is shown with the reason, such as Has forms attached or Has linked recipients. Those issuers will be skipped and stay on your list.

Delete this issuer window with the box checked Delete this issuer window with the box checked

  1. Check the acknowledgment box and click Delete issuers.

Mark an issuer inactive instead

Marking an issuer inactive hides it from your list but keeps all its records, including filed forms. You can bring it back any time.

  1. Go to Issuers and check the box next to the issuer.

Issuer row selected Issuer row selected

  1. Click Mark Inactive in the bar at the bottom of the screen, then confirm.

Issuer selection bar with Mark Inactive Issuer selection bar with Mark Inactive

To see inactive issuers, turn on Show inactive at the top of the list. To restore one, select it and click Mark active.

Show inactive switch Show inactive switch


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​Note: You can’t mark an issuer inactive while it has a form in Ready, Incomplete, or Rejected status. File or delete those forms first. For a rejected form, correct and resubmit it.

Why can’t I delete an issuer?

  • The issuer has eFiled forms. Filed forms can’t be deleted, so the issuer can’t be either. Mark it inactive instead.

  • The issuer has forms in Ready or Incomplete status. Delete them on the Forms page first.

  • The issuer has linked recipients. Unlink or delete them on the Recipients page.

Need to fix a filed form rather than remove it? See Correcting a 1099 Form with an Incorrect Payer Name or TIN.

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