The quarterly Form 941 reports employee headcount, wages and tips, taxes withheld from employee pay and employer taxes, and tax liability dates that establish due dates for tax deposits. It is the basis for IRS determination of employer compliance with the requirement to withhold and deposit employee income tax and Social Security and Medicare taxes. The tax liability section and Schedule B provide the basis for IRS assessment of deposit penalties.

This webinar covers the fundamental aspects of Form 941 including when to use Form 943, Form 944, or Form 945 instead of Form 941. It also covers the determination of the tax deposit period and the due dates for deposits, a line by line walk through of Form 941, special adjustments required for certain reconciling items such as fractions of cents, uncollected Social Security and Medicare taxes on group term life insurance and tips, and sick pay. Collection and enforcement of federal employment taxes is a current priority for the IRS.

Form 941 is the link between payroll records and the IRS tax records. It is one of the most important compliance areas in payroll. Form 941 must be prepared correctly and reconciled with the quarterly payroll records. It must also be reconciled annually with third party sick pay records and W-2 Forms. Proper administration of this vital form is critical for avoiding IRS notices and mitigating any penalties and interest that accompany them. The Schedule B is also a crucial form for many employers. Deposit liability dates must match the payroll records. These dates establish the deposit due dates and provide the basis for tax deposit compliance penalties.