s corporation

Tax Due Dates for March 2012

March 12 Employees who work for tips – If you received $20 or more in tips during February, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070.
March 15 Employers– Nonpayroll withholding. If the monthly deposit rule applies, deposit the tax for payments in February.Employers – Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income tax. If the monthly deposit rule applies, deposit the tax for payments in February.

Corporations – File a 2011 calendar year income tax return (Form 1120 or 1120-A) and pay any tax due. If you want an automatic 6-month extension of time to file the return, file Form 7004 and deposit what you estimate you owe.

S Corporations – File a 2011 calendar year income tax return (Form 1120S) and pay any tax due. Provide each shareholder with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1120S), Shareholder’s Share of Income, Credits, Deductions, etc., or a substitute Schedule K-1. If you want an automatic 6-month extension of time to file the return, file Form 7004 and deposit what you estimate you owe.

Electing large partnerships – Provide each partner with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1065-B), Partner’s Share of Income (Loss) From an Electing Large Partnership. This due date is effective for the first March 15 following the close of the partnership’s tax year. The due date of March 15 applies even if the partnership requests an extension of time to file the Form 1065-B by filing Form 8736 or Form 8800.

S Corporation Election – File Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation, to choose to be treated as an S corporation beginning with calendar year 2012. If Form 2553 is filed late, S treatment will begin with calendar year 2013.

Late Filing Penalties for S-Corp, Partnership Returns

Penalties for S-Corps, Partnerships, and Fiduciaries failing to file returns have been steadily rising, but starting in tax year 2010 penalties for S-Corp, Partnership, and Fiduciary filing late returns increased to $195.

The IRS states that for returns on which no tax is due, the penalty is $195 for each month or part of a month (up to 12 months) the return is late multiplied by the total number of persons who were shareholders in the corporation during any part of the corporation’s tax year for which the return is due. The penalty may also be charged if the return does not show all the information required.

For example, if a S-Corporation fails to file its 2010 return (including a Schedule K-1 to each shareholder) on time the penalty could be as much as $2,340 per shareholder per year ($195 per shareholder for the maximum of 12 months).

These failure-to-file penalties do not include tax that is due or penalties for tax that is due, but not paid on time. Add in the fact that the penalty isn’t tax deductible on your tax returns the following year and you’ve got yourself a double whammy.

If the partnership or S-corporation can show that the failure to file on time was due to “reasonable cause”, the IRS might provide relief. Be advised however, that if the partnership or S-corporation has established a pattern of failing to file in the past, it’s unlikely that the IRS will be sympathetic.

Why take a chance? If you need assistance filing your S-Corp, Partnership, or Fiduciary return, call us today.

Six Tips for Paying Estimated Taxes

Estimated tax is a method used to pay tax on income that is not subject to withholding. Depending on what you do for a living and what type of income you receive, you may need to pay estimated taxes during the year.

These six tips from the IRS will provide you with a quick look at estimated taxes and how to pay them…

  1. If you have income from sources such as self-employment, interest, dividends, alimony, rent, gains from the sale of assets, prizes, or awards, then you may have to pay estimated tax.
  2. As a general rule, you must pay estimated taxes in 2011 if both of these statements apply: 1) you expect to owe at least $1,000 in tax after subtracting your tax withholding (if you have any) and credits, and 2) you expect your withholding and credits to be less than the smaller of 90% of your 2011 taxes or 100% of the tax on your 2010 return. There are special rules for farmers, fishermen, certain household employers, and certain higher-income taxpayers.
  3. For sole proprietors, partners, and S Corporation shareholders, you generally have to make estimated tax payments if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in tax when you file your return.
  4. To figure your estimated tax, include your expected gross income, taxable income, taxes, deductions, and credits for the year. Use the worksheet in Form 1040ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals, which we can send you. You want to be as accurate as possible to avoid penalties. Also, consider changes in your situation and recent tax law changes.
  5. The year is divided into four payment periods, or due dates, for estimated tax purposes. Those dates generally are April 15, June 15, Sept. 15, and Jan. 15.
  6. Form 1040ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals, provides all you’ll need to pay estimated taxes. This includes instructions, worksheets, schedules, and payment vouchers. The easiest way to pay estimated taxes, however, is electronically through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System or EFTPS. You can also pay estimated taxes by check or money order using the Estimated Tax Payment Voucher or by credit or debit card.

Take our advice and don’t ignore your estimated tax payments. And please call us with any questions.

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