If an employer issued a forgivable loan to an employee (say, forgiven in three years if the employee continues working and if not, must be repaid), I had understood that the forgiveness would be included on a Form W-2 at the time of forgiveness and subject to withholding, FICA, etc. at that time. I also understood that the alternative, if it was not considered a bona fide loan, is that the amount of the loan should have instead been included on a Form W-2 at the time of funding.
Reading through some of the case law on this it seems like some employers are actually reporting the forgiveness on a Form 1099-C and not a W-2. Any thoughts or guidance on this front? I am concerned with the idea of an employer reporting through a 1099-C rather than a Form W-2 but haven't yet found the authorities on this. Reporting at the time of forgiveness on a W-2 seems a safer approach.