2012 Electronic Funds Transfer Guidelines (Page 6 of 23) in pdf

Louisiana Department of Revenue

Electronic Funds Transfer Guidelines

When holidays fall on a Saturday, the previous Friday may be observed. When holidays fall on a Sunday, the following

Monday may be observed. The day after Thanksgiving is usually declared a holiday.

Tax Return Filing Requirements

Taxpayers that make payments by electronic funds transfer are still required to timely file the tax return. If a paper tax

return is filed, the fact that payment was made by electronic funds transfer (EFT) must be boldly indicated on the tax

return and the return must be mailed to the following address:

Louisiana Department of Revenue

EFT Processing

Post Office Box 3863

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821-3863

Withholding EFT Payments and Filings for Periods Beginning on or after January 1, 2012

All taxpayers must file an Employer’s Return of Louisiana Withholding Tax (L-1 Return) for each quarter. Payments of

withholding tax must be made semi-monthly, monthly or quarterly based on your payment frequency. If no tax was with-

holding for a payment period, then a payment does not need to be made for that period. However, if the withholding tax

due is zero for the last payment period of the quarter, the Employer’s Return of Louisiana Withholding Tax (L-1 Return)

for that quarter still needs to be filed. The withholding tax annual reconciliations (L-3s) should not include payments

and must be separately filed.

Withholding EFT Payments and Filings for Periods Beginning Before January 1, 2012

If withholding tax payments are made by electronic funds transfer, the taxpayer is not required to file a separate tax

return. However, if the withholding tax due is zero, the filing of a zero EFT transmission will create a zero return thereby

properly crediting the tax period. In addition, if the electronic funds transfer payment includes interest and penalties,

the taxpayer must file a tax return to show the tax, interest, and penalties paid. Otherwise, the payment amount will

be considered the tax amount due. The withholding tax annual reconciliations (L-3s) should not include payments and

must be separately filed.

Penalties

If the EFT payment is not timely made or if the required tax return is not filed by the due date, the provisions for late

payment penalties, late filing penalties, interest, and loss of applicable discount shall apply in accordance with R.S.

47:1601-1602.

Waiver Of The Electronic Funds Transfer Tax Payment Requirement

Any taxpayer required to make payments by electronic funds transfer may request a waiver of the requirement for one

calendar year only. Please submit the request, which includes the reasons why waiver of the EFT requirement is being

requested, to the following address:

Louisiana Department of Revenue

Tax Administration

Post Office Box 201

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821-0201

Verification of Receipt of Funds Transfer

To verify that your payment has been received by the Louisiana Department of Revenue, call (225) 922-3270 from the

Baton Rouge calling area or toll-free 1-888-829-3071 on a touchtone telephone. You will need to know your Louisiana

Department of Revenue account number, the tax period end date, and the amount transferred. Payment information

will be available on the second business day following the date of transmission.

2012 Electronic Funds Transfer Guidelines Page 6