When will you get your broker statements and 1099s?

It seems that you're always waiting for at least one broker, who is late, to send you a 1099 so you can complete your taxes.

Well, you'll be waiting longer. The due date is February 15 (or if that's a holiday or weekend, next business day). Don't expect to get all your 1099s until February 17, 2009. And, issuers can request or rely on waivers and get them out later with little or no penalty.

Meanwhile, don't overlook that fact that many 1099s don't look like IRS forms. Issuers can use substitute formats, so the same information is often buried deep within year-end account statements.

The time is now to strategically plan to stop wasting money on taxes you are not required to pay.