Instructions For Form 941 - Employer'S Quarterly Federal Tax Return

13. Overpayment

failure-to-deposit (FTD) penalty. See Deposit Penalties in

section 11 of Pub. 15 for more information.

If line 11 is more than line 10, enter the difference on line 13.

Never make an entry on both lines 12 and 13.

If you reported more than $50,000 of taxes for the

If you deposited more than the correct amount for the

lookback period, you are a semiweekly schedule depositor.

quarter, you can choose to have the IRS either refund the

Check the appropriate box on line 14.

overpayment or apply it to your next return. Check only one

You must complete Schedule B (Form 941) and submit it

box on line 13. If you don't check either box or if you check

with your Form 941. Don't use Schedule B (Form 941) if you

both boxes, generally we will apply the overpayment to your

are a monthly schedule depositor.

account. We may apply your overpayment to any past due

Don't change your tax liability on Schedule B (Form 941)

tax account that is shown in our records under your EIN.

by adjustments reported on any Forms 941-X.

If line 13 is under $1, we will send a refund or apply it to

Part 3:Tell Us About Your Business

your next return only if you ask us in writing to do so.

Complete Both Pages

In Part 3, answer only those questions that apply to your

business. If the questions don't apply, leave them blank and

You must complete both pages of Form 941 and sign on

go to Part 4.

page 2. Failure to do so may delay processing of your return.

Part 2:Tell Us About Your Deposit

15. If Your Business Has Closed . . .

If you go out of business or stop paying wages, you must file

Schedule and Tax Liability for This

a final return. To tell the IRS that a particular Form 941 is your

Quarter

final return, check the box on line 15 and enter the date you

last paid wages in the space provided. For additional filing

requirements, see If Your Business Has Closed, earlier.

14. Tax Liability for the Quarter

De minimis exception. If line 10 is less than $2,500 or

16. If You are a Seasonal Employer . . .

line 10 on the preceding quarterly return was less than

If you hire employees seasonally—such as for summer or

$2,500, and you didn't incur a $100,000 next-day deposit

winter only—check the box on line 16. Checking the box tells

obligation during the current quarter, check the appropriate

the IRS not to expect four Forms 941 from you throughout the

box on line 14 and go to Part 3.

year because you haven't paid wages regularly.

If you meet the de minimis exception based on the

Generally, we won't ask about unfiled returns if you file at

prior quarter and line 10 for the current quarter is

least one return showing tax due each year. However, you

$100,000 or more, you must provide a record of your

must check the box every time you file a Form 941.

CAUTION

federal tax liability. If you are a monthly schedule depositor,

complete the deposit schedule on line 14. If you are a

Also, when you complete Form 941, be sure to check the

semiweekly schedule depositor, attach Schedule B (Form

box on the top of the form that corresponds to the quarter

941).

reported.

Part 4:May We Speak With Your

If you reported $50,000 or less in taxes during the

lookback period, you are a monthly schedule depositor

Third-party Designee?

unless the $100,000 Next-Day Deposit Rule discussed in

section 11 of Pub. 15 applies. Check the appropriate box on

If you want to allow an employee, a paid tax preparer, or

line 14 and enter your tax liability for each month in the

another person to discuss your Form 941 with the IRS, check

quarter. Add the amounts for each month. Enter the result in

the “Yes” box in Part 4. Enter the name, phone number, and

the Total liability for quarter box.

the five-digit personal identification number (PIN) of the

Note that your total tax liability for the quarter must equal

specific person to speak with—not the name of the firm that

your total taxes shown on line 10. If it doesn't, your tax

prepared your tax return. The designee may choose any five

deposits and payments may not be counted as timely. Don't

numbers as his or her PIN.

change your tax liability on line 14 by adjustments reported

By checking “Yes,” you authorize the IRS to talk to the

on any Forms 941-X.

person you named (your designee) about any questions we

You are a monthly schedule depositor for the calendar

may have while we process your return. You also authorize

year if the amount of your Form 941 taxes reported for the

your designee to do all of the following.

lookback period is $50,000 or less. The lookback period is

Give us any information that is missing from your return.

the four consecutive quarters ending on June 30 of the prior

Call us for information about processing your return.

year. For 2016, the lookback period begins July 1, 2014, and

Respond to certain IRS notices that you have shared with

ends June 30, 2015. For details on the deposit rules, see

your designee about math errors and return preparation. The

section 11 of Pub. 15. If you filed Form 944 in either 2014 or

IRS won't send notices to your designee.

2015, your lookback period is the 2014 calendar year.

You aren't authorizing your designee to bind you to

The amounts entered on line 14 are a summary of

anything (including additional tax liability) or to otherwise

your monthly tax liability, not a summary of deposits

represent you before the IRS. If you want to expand your

you made. If you don't properly report your liabilities

designee's authorization, see Pub. 947.

CAUTION

when required or if you are a semiweekly schedule depositor

and enter your liabilities on line 14 instead of on Schedule B

The authorization will automatically expire 1 year from the

(Form 941), you may be assessed an “averaged”

due date (without regard to extensions) for filing your Form

941. If you or your designee want to terminate the

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Instructions for Form 941 (Rev. 1-2016)

Instructions For Form 941 - Employer'S Quarterly Federal Tax Return - 2016 Page 9

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