For small business owners who pay less than $1,000 in payroll taxes annually, understanding IRS Form 944 could be the key to simplifying the process and saving money. Learn more about who qualifies for Form 944, how to file it, and more.
What is Form 944?
IRS Form 944 is used for small business owners who pay less than $1,000 in payroll taxes (federal income tax, social security, and Medicare withheld from employees) annually. This form simplifies the process for businesses and the IRS by providing an alternative to quarterly filing or form 941 returns. To qualify for IRS form 944, you must pay less than $1,000 in employment taxes over the course of the previous year and have the IRS change your business’s filing requirements. If approved, Form 944 must be filed annually by January 31st of the tax year and the entire amount accrued must be paid with the return. You can find the local IRS office to mail the form to on IRS.gov or contact a tax professional for help.
IRS Form 944 – Who Needs to Fill It Out?
IRS Form 944 is an easy solution for small business owners that owe less than $1,000 in payroll taxes every year. The IRS notifies businesses who qualify for Form 944, but if you think your business may be eligible, you may request that the IRS change your filing requirements to allow you to file the form. Form 944 takes the place of Form 941 and includes information on income and Medicare taxes withheld from employees. However, businesses with only household or agricultural employees do not qualify to file Form 944. To file, provide information such as your business name and address. The form must be filed by January 31 and any accumulated tax liability must be paid with the return. Make sure to mail the form to your local IRS office.
Step-by-Step: Form 944 Instructions For Filling Out the Document
Filling out IRS form 944 is an option for small business owners with payroll taxes of less than $1,000. It simplifies the filing process for both the employer and the IRS. To qualify, you must be notified by the IRS, or you can call them at the beginning of the year to request permission to file the form. You will need to provide your business name, EIN, address and other related information on the form. In addition, you must pay the entire accumulated liability with the return by January 31st. The form can be mailed to your local IRS office which can be found on IRS.gov. If you are unsure, a tax professional can also help with the process.
Below, we present a table that will help you understand how to fill out Form 994.
| Information Required for IRS Form 944 | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Small business owners with payroll taxes less than $1,000 |
| Notification | Notified by the IRS or request permission at the beginning of the year |
| Required Information | Business name, EIN (Employer Identification Number), address, and related details |
| Payment Deadline | Pay entire liability by January 31st |
| Filing Method | Mail the form to your local IRS office (found on IRS.gov) or consult a tax professional |
Do You Need to File Form 944 Each Year?
IRS Form 944 was created for small business owners who pay less than $1,000 in payroll taxes. Depending on the amount of money paid to employees, businesses may be able to file their federal payroll taxes annually instead of quarterly. This simplifies the process for everyone and also saves the IRS man-hours and funds. The IRS will usually send notification if a business qualifies for Form 944, but small business owners may also call to request a change. This request must be made during the start of the year, and the form must be filled out accurately with the employee information and must be sent to the IRS office in the state. If approved, the payment for the accumulated taxes must be included with the return by January 31st of each tax year.
Download the official IRS Form 944 PDF
On the official IRS website, you will find a link to download IRS Form 944. However, to make it easier for you, we are providing the link in our article, which comes directly from the official irs.gov website! Click to download: IRS Form 944
Sources:
https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-944
https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i944
