Form 944

Form 944 is an IRS form for small businesses that allows employers who withhold $1,000 or less in income taxes annually to pay their taxes once a year instead of annually. This simplifies payroll taxes for small employers while still allowing them to remain compliant with federal tax laws.

How to Complete Form 944:

1. Download the form from the IRS.

You can download the most recent version of Form 944 here.

2. Enter business information at the top of the form.

It is important to fill out the top portion of the form correctly, particularly when it comes to entering your EIN (Employer Identification Number). The IRS will use this information to match the form to your tax file.

3. Answer questions in Part 1.

Part 1 of the form asks for information about taxes that you have withheld for your employees. You should have your accounting and payroll records handy so that you can enter accurate numbers for each line item.

4. Enter details about your tax deposit schedule.

Part 2 requires employers to enter details about the timing and amounts of their tax deposits. Again, all of this information should be available to you in your payroll records.

5. Complete Parts 3 - 5.

The remainder of the form has some basic questions about your business. In Part 4, you have the opportunity to identify a third-party designee who is authorized to discuss this matter with the IRS on your behalf. Employers may exercise this option if their taxes are managed by an accountant. Part 5 must include your signature for the document to be valid.

6. Submit the form with your business's tax return.

Form 944 must be submitted by or before the annual tax deadline. You can submit the form with your full tax return.