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The IRS Form 941 is a critical document for employers, serving as a quarterly report that outlines payroll taxes withheld from employee wages. This form is essential for reporting income taxes, Social Security, and Medicare taxes that have been withheld during the quarter. It is not merely a formality; timely and accurate filing is crucial to avoid penalties and ensure compliance with federal tax regulations. Employers must also provide information about the number of employees and total wages paid, which helps the IRS track employment trends and tax obligations. Additionally, any adjustments or credits related to the Employee Retention Credit or other tax incentives must be reported on this form. Understanding the nuances of Form 941 is vital for business owners to maintain good standing with the IRS and to manage their tax responsibilities effectively.

Dos and Don'ts

When filling out the IRS 941 form, attention to detail is crucial. Here are ten important tips to consider:

  • Do double-check your employer identification number (EIN) for accuracy.
  • Don't forget to sign and date the form before submitting it.
  • Do ensure that you report all wages, tips, and other compensation accurately.
  • Don't leave any fields blank; provide all required information.
  • Do use the correct tax period for the form you are submitting.
  • Don't mix up the quarterly filing periods; each one has specific deadlines.
  • Do calculate your tax liability carefully to avoid underpayment or overpayment.
  • Don't ignore the instructions provided by the IRS; they are there to help.
  • Do keep a copy of the completed form for your records.
  • Don't submit the form electronically without verifying your information first.

Following these guidelines can help ensure a smooth filing process and minimize potential issues with the IRS.

IRS 941 Sample

Form 941 for 2023:

Employer’s QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return

950122

 

 

(Rev. March 2023)

Department of the Treasury — Internal Revenue Service

OMB No. 1545-0029

Employer identification number (EIN)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name (not your trade name)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade name (if any)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number

Street

 

 

 

 

 

Suite or room number

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

City

 

 

 

 

State

 

 

ZIP code

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign country name

 

 

Foreign province/county

 

 

Foreign postal code

Report for this Quarter of 2023

(Check one.)

1: January, February, March

2: April, May, June

3: July, August, September

4: October, November, December

Go to www.irs.gov/Form941 for instructions and the latest information.

Read the separate instructions before you complete Form 941. Type or print within the boxes.

Part 1: Answer these questions for this quarter.

1

Number of employees who received wages, tips, or other compensation for the pay period

 

including: Mar. 12 (Quarter 1), June 12 (Quarter 2), Sept. 12 (Quarter 3), or Dec. 12 (Quarter 4) 1

2

Wages, tips, and other compensation

.

2

3

Federal income tax withheld from wages, tips, and other compensation

.

3

4

If no wages, tips, and other compensation are subject to social security or Medicare tax

 

 

 

Column 1

 

Column 2.

 

5a

Taxable social security wages* . .

.

× 0.124 =

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

5a

(i)

Qualified sick leave wages* .

.

× 0.062 =

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

5a

(ii)

Qualified family leave wages* .

.

× 0.062 =

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

5b

Taxable social security tips . . .

.

× 0.124 =

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

5c

Taxable Medicare wages & tips. .

.

× 0.029 =

 

 

5d

Taxable wages & tips subject to

 

 

 

 

 

.

× 0.009 =

 

.

 

 

Additional Medicare Tax withholding

 

 

5e

Total social security and Medicare taxes. Add Column 2 from lines 5a, 5a(i), 5a(ii), 5b, 5c, and 5d

 

5e

5f

Section 3121(q) Notice and Demand—Tax due on unreported tips (see instructions) .

.

5f

6

Total taxes before adjustments. Add lines 3, 5e, and 5f

.

6

7

Current quarter’s adjustment for fractions of cents

.

7

8

Current quarter’s adjustment for sick pay

.

8

9

Current quarter’s adjustments for tips and group-term life insurance

.

9

10

Total taxes after adjustments. Combine lines 6 through 9

.

10

11a

Qualified small business payroll tax credit for increasing research activities. Attach Form 8974

11a

11b

Nonrefundable portion of credit for qualified sick and family leave wages for leave taken

 

 

before April 1, 2021

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.

11b

.

.

Check and go to line 6.

*Include taxable qualified sick and family leave wages paid in this quarter of 2023 for leave taken after March 31, 2021, and before October 1, 2021, on line 5a. Use lines 5a(i) and 5a(ii) only for taxable qualified sick and family leave wages paid in this quarter of 2023 for leave taken after March 31, 2020, and before April 1, 2021.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

11c Reserved for future use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11c

.

You MUST complete all three pages of Form 941 and SIGN it.

For Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the back of the Payment Voucher.

Cat. No. 17001Z

Form 941 (Rev. 3-2023)

951222

Name (not your trade name)

Employer identification number (EIN)

 

 

Part 1:

Answer these questions for this quarter. (continued)

 

11d Nonrefundable portion of credit for qualified sick and family leave wages for leave taken after March 31, 2021, and before October 1, 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11d

.

 

 

 

 

 

11e

Reserved for future use

. . . . . . . . . 11e

.

11f

Reserved for future use

 

 

 

 

 

 

11g

Total nonrefundable credits. Add lines 11a, 11b, and 11d

11g

12

Total taxes after adjustments and nonrefundable credits. Subtract line 11g from line 10 .

12

.

.

13a

Total deposits for this quarter, including overpayment applied from a prior quarter and

 

 

overpayments applied from Form 941-X, 941-X (PR), 944-X, or 944-X (SP) filed in the current quarter

13a

13b

Reserved for future use

13b

.

.

13c Refundable portion of credit for qualified sick and family leave wages for leave taken

 

before April 1, 2021

13c

13d Reserved for future use

13d

.

.

13e Refundable portion of credit for qualified sick and family leave wages for leave taken after March 31, 2021, and before October 1, 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13e

.

13f

Reserved for future use

13f

13g

Total deposits and refundable credits. Add lines 13a, 13c, and 13e

13g

13h

Reserved for future use

13h

13i

Reserved for future use

13i

14Balance due. If line 12 is more than line 13g, enter the difference and see instructions . . . 14

 

 

 

 

15

Overpayment. If line 13g is more than line 12, enter the difference

.

Check one:

.

.

.

.

.

Apply to next return.

 

Send a refund.

Part 2: Tell us about your deposit schedule and tax liability for this quarter.

If you’re unsure about whether you’re a monthly schedule depositor or a semiweekly schedule depositor, see section 11 of Pub. 15.

16 Check one:

Line 12 on this return is less than $2,500 or line 12 on the return for the prior quarter was less than $2,500, and you didn’t incur a $100,000 next-day deposit obligation during the current quarter. If line 12 for the prior quarter was less than $2,500 but line 12 on this return is $100,000 or more, you must provide a record of your federal tax liability. If you’re a monthly schedule depositor, complete the deposit schedule below; if you’re a semiweekly schedule depositor, attach Schedule B (Form 941). Go to Part 3.

You were a monthly schedule depositor for the entire quarter. Enter your tax liability for each month and total

liability for the quarter, then go to Part 3.

 

 

 

Tax liability: Month 1

.

 

 

 

 

Month 2

.

 

 

 

 

Month 3

.

 

 

 

 

Total liability for quarter

.

Total must equal line 12.

You were a semiweekly schedule depositor for any part of this quarter. Complete Schedule B (Form 941),

Report of Tax Liability for Semiweekly Schedule Depositors, and attach it to Form 941. Go to Part 3.

You MUST complete all three pages of Form 941 and SIGN it.

Page 2

Form 941 (Rev. 3-2023)

950922

Name (not your trade name)

Employer identification number (EIN)

Part 3: Tell us about your business. If a question does NOT apply to your business, leave it blank.

17 If your business has closed or you stopped paying wages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Check here, and

enter the final date you paid wages

/ /

; also attach a statement to your return. See instructions.

18 If you’re a seasonal employer and you don’t have to file a return for every quarter of the year . . .

Check here.

19Qualified health plan expenses allocable to qualified sick leave wages for leave taken before April 1, 2021

20Qualified health plan expenses allocable to qualified family leave wages for leave taken before April 1, 2021

21

Reserved for future use

22

Reserved for future use

23Qualified sick leave wages for leave taken after March 31, 2021, and before October 1, 2021

24Qualified health plan expenses allocable to qualified sick leave wages reported on line 23

25Amounts under certain collectively bargained agreements allocable to qualified sick

leave wages reported on line 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

26Qualified family leave wages for leave taken after March 31, 2021, and before October 1, 2021

27Qualified health plan expenses allocable to qualified family leave wages reported on line 26

28Amounts under certain collectively bargained agreements allocable to qualified family leave wages reported on line 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

 

19

.

 

 

20

.

 

 

21

.

 

 

22

.

 

 

23

.

 

 

24

.

 

 

25

.

 

 

26

.

 

 

27

.

 

 

28

.

Part 4: May we speak with your third-party designee?

Do you want to allow an employee, a paid tax preparer, or another person to discuss this return with the IRS? See the instructions

for details.

Yes. Designee’s name and phone number

Select a 5-digit personal identification number (PIN) to use when talking to the IRS.

No.

Part 5: Sign here. You MUST complete all three pages of Form 941 and SIGN it.

Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this return, including accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is true, correct, and complete. Declaration of preparer (other than taxpayer) is based on all information of which preparer has any knowledge.

Sign your name here

Date

/ /

Print your name here

Print your title here

Best daytime phone

Paid Preparer Use Only

Preparer’s name

Preparer’s signature

Firm’s name (or yours if self-employed)

Address

City

State

Check if you’re self-employed . . .

PTIN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date

/

/

 

EIN

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phone

 

 

 

 

 

 

ZIP code

Page 3

Form 941 (Rev. 3-2023)

951020

This page intentionally left blank

Form 941-V, Payment Voucher

Purpose of Form

Complete Form 941-V if you’re making a payment with Form 941. We will use the completed voucher to credit your payment more promptly and accurately, and to improve our service to you.

Making Payments With Form 941

To avoid a penalty, make your payment with Form 941 only if:

Your total taxes after adjustments and nonrefundable credits (Form 941, line 12) for either the current quarter or the preceding quarter are less than $2,500, you didn’t incur a $100,000 next-day deposit obligation during the current quarter, and you’re paying in full with a timely filed return; or

You’re a monthly schedule depositor making a payment in accordance with the Accuracy of Deposits Rule. See section 11 of Pub. 15 for details. In this case, the amount of your payment may be $2,500 or more.

Otherwise, you must make deposits by electronic funds transfer. See section 11 of Pub. 15 for deposit instructions. Don’t use Form 941-V to make federal tax deposits.

! Use Form 941-V when making any payment with Form 941. However, if you pay an amount with

CAUTION Form 941 that should’ve been deposited, you may be subject to a penalty. See Deposit Penalties in section 11 of Pub. 15.

Specific Instructions

Box 1—Employer identification number (EIN). If you don’t have an EIN, you may apply for one online by visiting the IRS website at www.irs.gov/EIN. You may also apply for an EIN by faxing or mailing Form SS-4 to the IRS. If you haven’t received your EIN by the due date of Form 941, write “Applied For” and the date you applied in this entry space.

Box 2—Amount paid. Enter the amount paid with Form 941.

Box 3—Tax period. Darken the circle identifying the quarter for which the payment is made. Darken only one circle.

Box 4—Name and address. Enter your name and address as shown on Form 941.

Enclose your check or money order made payable to “United States Treasury.” Be sure to enter your

EIN, “Form 941,” and the tax period (“1st Quarter 2023,” “2nd Quarter 2023,” “3rd Quarter 2023,” or “4th Quarter 2023”) on your check or money order. Don’t send cash.

Don’t staple Form 941-V or your payment to Form 941 (or to each other).

Detach Form 941-V and send it with your payment

and Form 941 to the address in the Instructions for Form 941.

Note: You must also complete the entity information above Part 1 on Form 941.

Detach Here and Mail With Your Payment and Form 941.

Form

941-V

 

 

 

 

Payment Voucher

 

OMB No. 1545-0029

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Department of the Treasury

 

 

Don’t staple this voucher or your payment to Form 941.

 

2023

 

Internal Revenue Service

 

 

 

 

1 Enter your employer identification

 

2

 

Dollars

 

 

Cents

 

 

number (EIN).

 

 

Enter the amount of your payment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make your check or money order payable to “United States Treasury.”

 

 

 

3

Tax Period

 

4 Enter your business name (individual name if sole proprietor).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1st

 

3rd

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarter

 

Quarter

 

Enter your address.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2nd

 

4th

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enter your city, state, and ZIP code; or your city, foreign country name, foreign province/county, and foreign postal code.

 

 

Quarter

 

Quarter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Form 941 (Rev. 3-2023)

Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice. We ask for the information on Form 941 to carry out the Internal Revenue laws of the United States. We need it to figure and collect the right amount of tax. Subtitle C, Employment Taxes, of the Internal Revenue Code imposes employment taxes on wages and provides for income tax withholding. Form 941 is used to determine the amount of taxes that you owe. Section 6011 requires you to provide the requested information if the tax is applicable to you. Section 6109 requires you to provide your identification number. If you fail to provide this information in a timely manner, or provide false or fraudulent information, you may be subject to penalties.

You’re not required to provide the information requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid OMB control number. Books and records relating to a form or its instructions must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any Internal Revenue law.

Generally, tax returns and return information are confidential, as required by section 6103. However, section 6103 allows or requires the IRS to disclose or give the information shown on your tax return to others as described in the Code. For example, we may disclose your tax information to the Department of

Justice for civil and criminal litigation, and to cities, states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. commonwealths and possessions for use in administering their tax laws. We may also disclose this information to other countries under a tax treaty, to federal and state agencies to enforce federal nontax criminal laws, or to federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism.

The time needed to complete and file Form 941 will vary depending on individual circumstances. The estimated average time is:

Recordkeeping . . . . . . . . . . 22 hr., 28 min.

Learning about the law or the form . .

. . 53 min.

Preparing, copying, assembling, and

 

sending the form to the IRS

1 hr., 18 min.

If you have comments concerning the accuracy of these time estimates or suggestions for making Form 941 simpler, we would be happy to hear from you. You can send us comments from www.irs.gov/FormComments. Or you can send your comments to Internal Revenue Service, Tax Forms and Publications Division, 1111 Constitution Ave. NW, IR-6526, Washington, DC 20224. Don’t send Form 941 to this address. Instead, see Where Should You File? in the Instructions for Form 941.

Listed Questions and Answers

  1. What is the IRS Form 941?

    The IRS Form 941, officially known as the Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return, is a form that employers use to report income taxes, Social Security tax, and Medicare tax withheld from employee paychecks. This form must be filed quarterly and is essential for employers to stay compliant with federal tax regulations.

  2. Who needs to file Form 941?

    Any employer who pays wages to employees and withholds federal income tax, Social Security tax, or Medicare tax must file Form 941. This includes businesses of all sizes, non-profit organizations, and government entities that have employees.

  3. When is Form 941 due?

    Form 941 is due four times a year, specifically on the last day of the month following the end of each quarter. The deadlines are:

    • April 30 for the first quarter (January - March)
    • July 31 for the second quarter (April - June)
    • October 31 for the third quarter (July - September)
    • January 31 for the fourth quarter (October - December)
  4. How do I file Form 941?

    Form 941 can be filed electronically or by mail. Many employers choose to e-file through the IRS e-file system or through third-party software. If filing by mail, send the completed form to the address specified in the form instructions, which varies based on your location and whether you are making a payment.

  5. What information is required on Form 941?

    Form 941 requires several pieces of information, including:

    • Your business name and address
    • Your Employer Identification Number (EIN)
    • The number of employees
    • Total wages paid during the quarter
    • Federal income tax withheld
    • Social Security and Medicare taxes
  6. What if I made a mistake on Form 941?

    If an error is discovered after filing, employers can correct it by filing Form 941-X, Adjusted Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return or Claim for Refund. This form allows you to make adjustments to the original filing and claim any overpayments.

  7. Are there penalties for not filing Form 941?

    Yes, there are penalties for failing to file Form 941 on time or for underreporting taxes. The penalties can range from a percentage of the unpaid tax to additional fines. Timely and accurate filing helps avoid these penalties and ensures compliance with IRS regulations.

  8. Can I get help with Form 941?

    Employers can seek assistance from tax professionals, accountants, or payroll service providers to help with the completion and filing of Form 941. The IRS also provides resources and instructions on their website to guide employers through the process.

  9. What happens after I file Form 941?

    After filing Form 941, the IRS processes the return and updates your account. Employers should keep a copy of the filed form and any payment records for at least four years. This documentation is crucial in case of audits or discrepancies.

Form Overview

Fact Name Description
Purpose The IRS Form 941 is used by employers to report income taxes, Social Security tax, and Medicare tax withheld from employee wages.
Filing Frequency This form must be filed quarterly, with deadlines typically on the last day of the month following the end of each quarter.
Who Must File Employers who pay wages to employees must file Form 941, regardless of the number of employees.
State-Specific Forms Many states have their own forms for reporting similar information, governed by state laws such as the California Employment Development Department regulations.
Penalties for Non-Compliance Failure to file Form 941 on time can result in penalties and interest on unpaid taxes, emphasizing the importance of timely submissions.