Source: https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i943x
Timestamp: 2019-08-24 23:12:06
Document Index: 661927603

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 3', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'arts 4', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 5']

Instructions for Form 943-X (02/2018) | Internal Revenue Service
Instructions for Form 943-X (02/2018)
Instructions for Form 943-X - Introductory Material
New Schedule R (Form 943), Allocation Schedule for Aggregate Form 943 Filers.
Employee consents to support a claim for refund.
Period of limitations to make certain corrections expired.
Retroactive increase in excludable transit benefits for 2014.
Retroactive increase in excludable transit benefits for 2015.
Claiming the COBRA premium assistance credit.
Correcting federal income tax withheld.
Correcting Additional Medicare Tax withholding and wages subject to Additional Medicare Tax withholding.
Correcting the COBRA premium assistance credit.
General Instructions: Understanding Form 943-X
Underreported tax.
Overreported taxadjustment process.
Overreported taxclaim process.
Is There a Deadline for Filing Form 943-X?
How Should You Complete Form 943-X?
Use a Separate Form 943-X for Each Year Youre Correcting
Employer Identification Number (EIN), Name, and Address
Return Youre Correcting
If you underreported the tax.
If you overreported the tax.
Part 3: Enter the Corrections for the Calendar Year Youre Correcting
6.Total Wages Subject to Social Security Tax
7.Total Wages Subject to Medicare Tax
8. Total Wages Subject to Additional Medicare Tax Withholding
Prior year administrative errors.
Combination of prior year administrative and nonadministrative errors.
9. Federal Income Tax Withheld
10. Tax Adjustments
11. Qualified Small Business Payroll Tax Credit for Increasing Research Activities
1215. Special Additions to Wages for Federal Income Tax, Social Security Taxes, Medicare Taxes, and Additional Medicare Tax
17a. Claiming or Correcting the COBRA Premium Assistance Credit
17b. Number of Individuals Provided COBRA Premium Assistance on Line 17a
Part 4: Explain Your Corrections for the Calendar Year Youre Correcting
19. Correction of Both Underreported and Overreported Amounts
20. Did You Reclassify Any Workers?
Return not filed because you didnt treat any workers as employees.
21. Explain Your Corrections
Part 5. Sign Here
Who must sign the Form 943-X?
How Can You Get Forms, Instructions, and Publications From the IRS?
Instructions for Form 943-X - Notices
Adjusted Employer's Annual Federal Tax Return for Agricultural Employees or Claim for Refund
For the latest information about developments related to Form 943-X and its instructions, such as legislation enacted after they were published, go to IRS.gov/Form943X.
For 2017 and subsequent years, agents approved by the IRS under section 3504 and certified professional employer organizations (CPEOs) must complete and file a Schedule R (Form 943) each time they file an aggregate Form 943. To request approval to act as an agent for an employer under section 3504, the agent must file Form 2678 with the IRS. Form 2678 must be previously filed and approved by the IRS before filing Schedule R. To become a CPEO, the organization must apply through the IRS Online Registration System at IRS.gov/CPEO.
For 2017 and subsequent years, agents and CPEOs must complete Schedule R (Form 943) when correcting an aggregate Form 943. Schedule R (Form 943) is completed only for those clients and customers who have corrections reported on Form 943-X.
Rev. Proc. 2017-28, 2017-14 I.R.B. 1061, available at IRS.gov/irb/2017-14_IRB/ar09.html, provides guidance to employers on the requirements for employee consents used by an employer to support a claim for refund of overcollected social security tax and Medicare tax. The revenue procedure clarifies the basic requirements for both a request for employee consent and for the employee consent, and permits a consent to be requested, furnished, and retained in an electronic format as an alternative to a paper format. The revenue procedure also contains guidance concerning when an employer may claim a refund of only the employer share of overcollected social security tax and Medicare tax. The revenue procedure requires that any request for consent include an Additional Medicare Tax notice indicating that any claim on the employee’s behalf won’t include a claim for overpaid Additional Medicare Tax.
For tax years beginning after December 31, 2015, a qualified small business may elect to claim up to $250,000 of its credit for increasing research activities as a payroll tax credit against the employer's share of social security tax. The portion of the credit used against the employer's share of social security tax is allowed in the first calendar quarter beginning after the date that the qualified small business filed its income tax return. The first Form 943 that you can claim this credit on is Form 943 filed for calendar year 2017. The election and determination of the credit amount that will be used against the employer's share of social security tax are made on Form 6765, Credit for Increasing Research Activities. The payroll tax credit must generally be elected only on an original income tax return that is timely filed (including extensions). The amount from Form 6765, line 44, must then be reported on Form 8974, Qualified Small Business Payroll Tax Credit for Increasing Research Activities. Form 8974 is used to determine the amount of the credit that can be used in the current year. The amount from Form 8974, line 12, is reported on Form 943, line 12. For 2017 and subsequent years, any correction to Form 943, line 12, is reported on Form 943-X, line 11. If you make a correction on Form 943-X, line 11, you must attach a corrected Form 8974. For more information about the payroll tax credit, see Notice 2017-23, 2017-16 I.R.B. 1100, available at IRS.gov/irb/2017-16_IRB/ar07.html. Also see the line 17 instructions in the Instructions for Form 943.
Generally, you may correct overreported taxes on a previously filed Form 943 if you file Form 943-X within 3 years of the date Form 943 was filed or 2 years from the date you paid the tax reported on Form 943, whichever is later. For purposes of the period of limitations, Form 943 is considered filed on April 15 of the succeeding year if filed before that date.
The period of limitations to correct social security tax for 2011 and 2012 expired on April 17, 2015, and April 15, 2016, respectively, for most employers. These instructions no longer discuss the reduced rate of employee social security tax that applied in 2011 and 2012. The 2011 and 2012 employee social security tax rate was 4.2% and the employer social security tax rate was 6.2% (10.4% total). If the period of limitations for 2011 and 2012 is still open, you can file the February 2018 revision of Form 943-X but make sure you use the correct rate when reporting corrections on line 6.
The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 increased the monthly transit benefit exclusion from $130 per participating employee to $250 per participating employee for the period of January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014. Employers were provided instructions on how to correct the social security and Medicare taxes on the excess transit benefits in Notice 2015-2, 2015-4 I.R.B. 334, available at IRS.gov/irb/2015-4_IRB/ar06.html.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, increased the monthly transit benefit exclusion from $130 per participating employee to $250 per participating employee for the period of January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015. Employers were provided instructions on how to correct the social security and Medicare taxes on the excess transit benefits in Notice 2016-06, 2016-4 I.R.B. 287, available at IRS.gov/irb/2016-04_IRB/ar07.html.
The COBRA premium assistance credit was available to an employer for premiums paid on behalf of employees who were involuntarily terminated from employment between September 1, 2008, and May 31, 2010. The COBRA premium assistance credit isn’t available for individuals who were involuntarily terminated after May 31, 2010. Therefore, only in rare circumstances, such as instances where COBRA eligibility was delayed as a result of employer provided health insurance coverage following termination, will the credit be available. If you’re eligible to claim the credit, use Form 943-X, lines 17a and 17b. Form 943-X should be filed after filing your Form 943. Filing a Form 943-X before filing a Form 943 may result in errors or delays in processing your Form 943-X. For more information, go to IRS.gov/COBRACredit.
If you’re entitled to claim the COBRA premium assistance credit, but aren’t otherwise required to file Form 943, file a Form 943 with -0- entered on line 15 before filing a Form 943-X to claim the credit.
Generally, you may only correct administrative errors to federal income tax withholding (that is, errors in which the amount reported on Form 943, line 8, isn't the amount you actually withheld from an employee’s wages) and errors for which section 3509 rates apply. See section 9 of Pub. 51, Agricultural Employer’s Tax Guide, for more information about corrections during the calendar year and about administrative errors. See section 2 of Pub. 15, Employer’s Tax Guide, for more information about section 3509. If section 3509 rates apply, see the instructions for lines 12–15, later.
Only transposition or math errors involving the inaccurate reporting of the amount actually withheld are "administrative errors."
You can’t file a Form 943-X to correct federal income tax withholding for prior years for nonadministrative errors. In other words, you can’t correct federal income tax actually withheld from an employee in a prior year if you discover that you didn’t withhold the right amount. For example, you can’t correct federal income tax withheld in a prior year because you used the wrong income tax withholding table in Pub. 51 or you didn’t treat a payment correctly as taxable or nontaxable. Similarly, if you paid federal income tax in a prior year on behalf of your employee rather than deducting it from the employee’s pay (which resulted in additional wages subject to tax), and in a subsequent year you determine that you incorrectly calculated the amount of tax, you can’t correct the federal income tax withholding.
The amount actually withheld is reflected on payroll information or on Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, which can be used by the employee to claim a credit for withholding for individual income tax return purposes.
Wages subject to Additional Medicare Tax withholding are reported on Form 943, line 6, and the withholding is reported on line 7. Certain errors discovered on a previously filed Form 943 are corrected on Form 943-X, line 8. However, you can't file a Form 943-X to correct the wrong amount of Additional Medicare Tax actually withheld from an employee in a prior year, including any amount you paid on behalf of your employee rather than deducting it from the employee's pay (which resulted in additional wages subject to tax). See the instructions for line 8, later, for more information on the types of errors that can be corrected and how the correction is reported on Form 943-X. For more information about Additional Medicare Tax withholding, see the Instructions for Form 943 or go to IRS.gov/ADMT.
For tax periods ending before January 1, 2014, employers who made COBRA premium assistance payments for assistance-eligible individuals were allowed a credit directly on their Form 943. Any errors discovered on a previously filed Form 943 for this credit are corrected on Form 943-X, lines 17a and 17b. Effective for tax periods beginning after December 31, 2013, Form 943-X is used to both report the total COBRA premium assistance credit an employer is entitled to claim and correct any previously reported credit. For more information, see the instructions for lines 17a and 17b, later.
For tax periods beginning after December 31, 2013, Form 943 will no longer be used to claim the credit for COBRA premium assistance payments. Instead, use Form 943-X. For more information, see the instructions for lines 17a and 17b, later.
Use Form 943-X to correct errors on a previously filed Form 943. Use Form 943-X to correct:
Total wages subject to Additional Medicare Tax withholding,
Qualified small business payroll tax credit for increasing research activities, and
Use Form 843, Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement, to request a refund or abatement of assessed interest or penalties. Don’t request a refund or abatement of assessed interest or penalties on Form 943 or Form 943-X.
We use the terms "correct" and "corrections" on Form 943-X and in these instructions to include interest-free adjustments under sections 6205 and 6413 and claims for refund and abatement under sections 6402, 6414, and 6404. See Rev. Rul. 2009-39 for examples of how the interest-free adjustment and claim for refund rules apply in 10 different situations. You can find Rev. Rul. 2009-39, 2009-52 I.R.B. 951, at IRS.gov/irb/2009-52_IRB/ar14.html.
When you discover an error on a previously filed Form 943, you must:
File a separate Form 943-X for each Form 943 that you’re correcting; and
Generally, file Form 943-X separately. Don’t file Form 943-X with Form 943. However, if you didn't previously file Form 943 because you mistakenly treated your employees as nonemployees, you may have to file Form 943-X with Form 943. See the instructions for line 20, later.
If you didn’t file a Form 943 for 1 or more years, don’t use Form 943-X. Instead, file Form 943 for each of those years. See also When Should You File Form 943-X, later. However, if you didn’t file Forms 943 because you improperly treated workers as independent contractors or nonemployees and are now reclassifying them as employees, see the instructions for line 20, later.
Report the correction of underreported and overreported amounts for the same year on a single Form 943-X, unless you’re requesting a refund or abatement. If you’re requesting a refund or abatement and you’re correcting both underreported and overreported amounts, file one Form 943-X correcting the underreported amounts only and a second Form 943-X correcting the overreported amounts.
You’ll use the adjustment process if you underreported employment taxes and are making a payment, or if you overreported employment taxes and will be applying the credit to Form 943 for the period during which you file Form 943-X. However, see the Caution under Is There a Deadline for Filing Form 943-X, later, if you’re correcting overreported amounts during the last 90 days of a period of limitations. You’ll use the claim process if you overreported employment taxes and are requesting a refund or abatement of the overreported amount. Follow the chart on the back of Form 943-X for help in choosing whether to use the adjustment process or the claim process. Be sure to give us a detailed explanation on line 21 for each correction that you show on Form 943-X.
Continue to report current year adjustments for fractions of cents, third-party sick pay, and group-term life insurance on Form 943, line 10.
You have additional requirements to complete when filing Form 943-X, such as certifying that you filed (or will file) all applicable Forms W-2 and Forms W-2c, Corrected Wage and Tax Statement. For corrections of overreported federal income tax, social security tax, or Medicare tax, you must make any certifications that apply to your situation.
Don’t use Form 943-X to correct Form CT-1, 941, 941-SS, 944, or 945. Instead, use the "X" form that corresponds to those forms (Form CT-1 X, 941-X, 944-X, or 945-X).
For help filing Form 943-X or for questions about federal employment taxes and tax corrections, you can:
Call the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line toll free at 1-800-829-4933 or 1-800-829-4059 (TDD/TTY for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability) Monday–Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time (Alaska and Hawaii follow Pacific time).
See also How Can You Get Forms, Instructions, and Publications From the IRS, later.
File Form 943-X when you discover an error on a previously filed Form 943.
However, if your only errors on Form 943 relate to the number of employees (Form 943, line 1) or to federal tax liabilities reported on your Monthly Summary of Federal Tax Liability on Form 943 or on Form 943-A, Agricultural Employer's Record of Federal Tax Liability, don’t file Form 943-X. For more information about correcting federal tax liabilities reported on your Monthly Summary of Federal Tax Liability on Form 943 or on Form 943-A, see the Form 943-A instructions.
The due date for filing Form 943-X depends on when you discover an error and if you underreported or overreported tax. If you underreported tax, see Underreported tax, later. For overreported amounts, you may choose to either make an interest-free adjustment or file a claim for refund or abatement. If you’re correcting overreported amounts, see Overreported tax—adjustment process and Overreported tax—claim process, later.
If any due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, you may file Form 943-X on the next business day. The term "legal holiday" means any legal holiday in the District of Columbia. See Pub. 51 for the list of legal holidays. If we receive Form 943-X after the due date, we will treat Form 943-X as filed on time if the envelope containing Form 943-X is properly addressed, contains sufficient postage, and is postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service on or before the due date, or sent by an IRS-designated private delivery service (PDS) on or before the due date. If you don’t follow these guidelines, we will consider Form 943-X filed when it is actually received. Go to IRS.gov/PDS for the current list of PDSs. For the IRS mailing address to use if you're using a PDS, go to IRS.gov/PDSstreetAddresses.
If you’re correcting underreported tax, you must file Form 943-X by the due date of the return for the return period in which you discovered the error (January 31 of the following year) and pay the amount you owe by the time you file. Doing so will generally ensure that your correction is interest free and not subject to failure-to-pay (FTP) or failure-to-deposit (FTD) penalties. See What About Penalties and Interest, later. For details on how to make a payment, see the instructions for line 18, later.
If Form 943-X is filed late (after the due date of the return for the return period in which you discovered the error), you must attach an amended Form 943-A to Form 943-X. Otherwise, the IRS may assess an "averaged" FTD penalty. The total tax reported on Form 943-A, line M, must match the corrected tax (Form 943, line 13 (line 11 for calendar years 2013–2016), combined with any correction reported on Form 943-X, line 16) for the year, less any previous abatements and interest-free tax assessments.
Example—You owe tax.
On February 13, 2018, you discovered that you underreported $1,000 of social security and Medicare wages on your 2017 Form 943. File Form 943-X and pay the amount you owe by January 31, 2019, because you discovered the error in 2018 and January 31, 2019, is the due date for that year. If you file Form 943-X before January 31, 2019, pay the amount you owe when you file.
Form 943-X can’t be used to correct underreported amounts of Additional Medicare Tax unless the amounts were withheld from employee wages.
Overreported tax—adjustment process.
If you overreported tax and choose to apply the credit to Form 943, file an adjusted return on Form 943-X soon after you discover the error but more than 90 days before the period of limitations on the credit or refund for Form 943 expires. See Is There a Deadline for Filing Form 943-X, later.
Form 943-X can’t be used to correct overreported amounts of Additional Medicare Tax unless the amounts weren’t withheld from employee wages.
You filed your 2017 Form 943 on January 31, 2018, and payments were timely made. On May 1, 2018, you discover that you overreported tax on your 2017 Form 943. You file Form 943-X on June 4, 2018. The IRS treats your credit as a tax deposit made on January 1, 2018. When you file your 2018 Form 943, include the amount from Form 943-X, line 18, on the "Total deposits" line of your 2018 Form 943.
If you reduced your deposits by the amount of the COBRA premium assistance credit that will be reflected on your Form 943-X, don’t use the adjustment process to claim the COBRA premium assistance credit. Use the claim process. See the instructions for lines 17a and 17b, later.
Overreported tax—claim process.
If you overreported tax on Form 943, you may choose to file a claim for refund or abatement on Form 943-X any time before the period of limitations on the credit or refund expires. If you also need to correct any underreported amounts, you must file another Form 943-X reporting only corrections to the underreported amounts. See Is There a Deadline for Filing Form 943-X, later.
You may not file a refund claim to correct federal income tax or Additional Medicare Tax actually withheld from employees.
Generally, you may correct overreported taxes on a previously filed Form 943 if you file Form 943-X within 3 years of the date Form 943 was filed or 2 years from the date you paid the tax reported on Form 943, whichever is later. You may correct underreported taxes on a previously filed Form 943 if you file Form 943-X within 3 years of the date the Form 943 was filed. We call each of these time frames a "period of limitations." For purposes of the period of limitations, Form 943 is considered filed on April 15 of the succeeding calendar year if filed before that date.
You filed your 2014 Form 943 on January 26, 2015, and payments were timely made. The IRS treats the return as if it were filed on April 15, 2015. On January 22, 2018, you discovered that you overreported social security and Medicare wages on that form by $10,000. To correct the error, you must file Form 943-X by April 17, 2018, and use the claim process.
If you file Form 943-X to correct overreported amounts in the last 90 days of a period of limitations, you must use the claim process. You can’t use the adjustment process. If you’re also correcting underreported amounts, you must file another Form 943-X to correct the underreported amounts using the adjustment process and pay any tax due.
Send your completed Form 943-X to the address shown below. For the IRS mailing address to use if you're using a PDS, go to IRS.gov/PDSstreetAddresses.
Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin Department of the Treasury
Special filing address for exempt organizations; federal, state, and local governmental entities; and Indian tribal governmental entities; regardless of location Department of the Treasury
Use a Separate Form 943-X for Each Year You’re Correcting
Use a separate Form 943-X for each Form 943 that you’re correcting. For example, if you found errors on your Forms 943 for 2016 and 2017, file one Form 943-X to correct the 2016 Form 943. File a second Form 943-X to correct the 2017 Form 943.
Enter your EIN, name, and address in the spaces provided. Also enter your name and EIN on the top of pages 2 and 3, and on any attachments. If your address has changed since you filed your Form 943, enter the corrected information and the IRS will update your address of record. Be sure to write your name, EIN, "Form 943-X," and the calendar year you’re correcting on the top of any attachments.
Enter the calendar year of the Form 943 you’re correcting in the box at the top of page 1. Enter the same calendar year on pages 2 and 3, and on any attachments. Be sure to write your name, EIN, "Form 943-X," and the calendar year you’re correcting on the top of any attachments.
You must enter the date you discovered errors. You discover an error when you have enough information to be able to correct it. If you’re reporting several errors that you discovered at different times, enter the earliest date you discovered them here. Report any subsequent dates and related errors on line 21.
You must provide all of the information requested at the top of page 1 of Form 943-X. You must check one box (but not both) in Part 1. In Part 2, you must check the box on line 3 and any applicable boxes on lines 4 and 5. In Part 3, if any line doesn't apply, leave it blank. Complete Parts 4 and 5 as instructed.
Form 943-X uses negative numbers to show reductions in tax (credits) and positive numbers to show additional tax (amounts you owe).
When reporting a negative amount in columns 3 and 4, use a minus sign instead of parentheses. For example, enter "–10.59" instead of "(10.59)." However, if you’re completing the return on your computer and your software only allows you to use parentheses to report negative amounts, you may use them.
You can help the IRS process Form 943-X timely and accurately if you follow these guidelines.
Use Courier font (if possible) for all typed or computer-generated entries.
Omit dollar signs. You may use commas and decimal points, if desired. Enter dollar amounts to the left of any preprinted decimal point and cents to the right of it.
Always show an amount for cents, even if it is zero. Don't round entries to whole dollars.
Generally, your correction of an underreported amount won’t be subject to an FTP penalty, FTD penalty, or interest if you:
File on time (by the due date of Form 943 for the year in which you discover the error),
Pay the amount shown on line 18 by the time you file Form 943-X,
Explain in detail the grounds and facts relied on to support the correction.
No correction will be eligible for interest-free treatment if any of the following apply.
The amounts underreported relate to an issue that was raised in an examination of a prior period.
You knowingly underreported your employment tax liability.
You received a notice of determination under section 7436.
If you receive a notice about a penalty after you file this return, reply to the notice with an explanation and we will determine if you meet reasonable-cause criteria. Don’t attach an explanation when you file your return.
To correct a previously filed Form 943, use Form 943-X to file either an adjusted employment tax return or a claim for refund or abatement. The adjustment process and the claim process are outlined below.
If you underreported the tax on a previously filed Form 943, check the box on line 1 and pay any additional amount you owe by the time you file Form 943-X. For details on how to make a payment, see the instructions for line 18, later.
Example—You underreported employment taxes.
On June 20, 2017, you discovered an error that results in additional tax on your 2016 Form 943. File Form 943-X by January 31, 2018, and pay the amount you owe by the time you file. See When Should You File Form 943-X, earlier. Don’t attach Form 943-X to your 2017 Form 943.
If you overreported the tax on a previously filed Form 943, you may choose one of the following options.
Use the adjustment process. Check the box on line 1 to apply any credit (negative amount) from line 18 to Form 943 for the year during which you file Form 943-X.
Use the claim process. Check the box on line 2 to file a claim on Form 943-X requesting a refund or abatement of the amount shown on line 18.
To ensure that the IRS has enough time to process a credit for an overreporting adjustment in the year during which you file Form 943-X, you’re encouraged to file Form 943-X correcting the overreported amount in the first 11 months of a year. For example, if you discover an overreported amount in December, you may want to file Form 943-X during the first 11 months of the next year. However, there must be 90 days remaining on the period of limitations when you file Form 943-X. See the Caution under Is There a Deadline for Filing Form 943-X, earlier. This should ensure that the IRS will have enough time to process Form 943-X so the credit will be posted before you file Form 943, thus avoiding an erroneous balance due notice from the IRS. See the example below.
Example—You want your overreported tax applied as a credit to Form 943.
On December 18, 2018, you discover you overreported your tax on your 2017 Form 943 and want to make a correction using the adjustment process. To allow the IRS enough time to process the credit, you file Form 943-X on January 4, 2019, and take the credit on your 2019 Form 943.
Because Form 943-X may be used to file either an adjusted employment tax return or a claim for refund or abatement, you must check one box on either line 1 or line 2. Don’t check both boxes.
Check the box on line 1 if you’re correcting underreported amounts or overreported amounts and you would like to use the adjustment process to correct the errors.
If you’re correcting both underreported amounts and overreported amounts on this form, you must check this box. If you check this box, any negative amount shown on line 18 will be applied as a credit (tax deposit) to your Form 943 for the year in which you’re filing this form. See Example—You want your overreported tax applied as a credit to Form 943, earlier.
Pay the amount shown on line 18 by the time you file Form 943-X. Generally, you won’t be charged interest if you file on time, pay on time, enter the date you discovered the error, and explain the correction on line 21.
You overreported employment taxes (you have a negative amount on line 18) and want the IRS to apply the credit to Form 943 for the period during which you filed Form 943-X. The IRS will apply your credit on the first day of the Form 943 year during which you filed Form 943-X. However, the credit you show on Form 943-X, line 18, may not be fully available on your Form 943 if the IRS corrects it during processing or you owe other taxes, penalties, or interest. The IRS will notify you if your claimed credit changes or if the amount available as a credit on Form 943 was reduced because of unpaid taxes, penalties, or interest.
Don’t check the box on line 1 if you’re either: (a) correcting overreported amounts and the period of limitations on credit or refund for Form 943 will expire within 90 days of the date you file Form 943-X, or (b) claiming a credit for COBRA premium assistance payments and you reduced your deposits in anticipation of the credit. Instead, in either case, check the box on line 2 to file a Form 943-X under the claim process. See Is There a Deadline for Filing Form 943-X, earlier. See the instructions for lines 17a and 17b, later.
Check the box on line 2 to use the claim process if you’re correcting overreported amounts only and you’re claiming a refund or abatement for the negative amount (credit) shown on line 18. Don’t check this box if you’re correcting any underreported amounts on this form.
You must check the box on line 2 if you have a credit and the period of limitations on credit or refund for Form 943 will expire within 90 days of the date you file Form 943-X. See Is There a Deadline for Filing Form 943-X, earlier.
The IRS usually processes claims shortly after they are filed. The IRS will notify you if your claim is denied, accepted as filed, or selected to be examined. See Pub. 556, Examination of Returns, Appeal Rights, and Claims for Refund, for more information.
Unless the IRS corrects Form 943-X during processing or you owe other taxes, penalties, or interest, the IRS will refund the amount shown on line 18, plus any interest that applies.
You must complete all certifications that apply by checking the appropriate boxes. If all of your corrections relate to underreported amounts, complete line 3 only; skip lines 4 and 5 and go to Part 3.
If your corrections relate to overreported amounts, you have a duty to ensure that your employees' rights to recover overpaid employee social security and Medicare taxes that you withheld are protected. The certifications on lines 4 and 5 address the requirement to:
Obtain consents from your employees to file a claim on their behalf. See Rev. Proc. 2017-28 for guidance on the requirements for both a request for employee consent and for the employee consent.
Check the box on line 3 to certify that you filed or will file Forms W-2 or Forms W-2c, as required, showing your employees' correct wage and tax amounts. See the General Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3 for detailed information about filing requirements. References to Form W-2 on Form 943-X and in these instructions also apply to Forms W-2AS, W-2CM, W-2GU, and W-2VI unless otherwise noted.
You must check the box on line 3 to certify that you filed Forms W-2 or Forms W-2c even if your corrections on Form 943-X don’t change amounts shown on those forms. For example, if your only correction to Form 943 involves misstated tax adjustments (see the instructions for line 10, later), check the box on line 3 to certify that you already filed all required Forms W-2 and W-2c with the Social Security Administration (SSA).
If you overreported federal income tax, social security tax, Medicare tax, or Additional Medicare Tax and checked the box on line 1, check the appropriate box on line 4. You may need to check more than one box. If you obtained written statements from some employees but you couldn’t locate employees or secure the statements of the remaining employees, check all applicable boxes. Provide a summary on line 21 of the amount of the corrections for the employees who provided written statements and for those who didn’t.
You may not use Form 943-X to correct overreported amounts of Additional Medicare Tax unless the amounts weren’t withheld from employee wages.
Check the box on line 4a if your overreported amount includes each affected employee share of overcollected taxes. You’re certifying that you repaid or reimbursed the employee share of prior year taxes and you received written statements from the employees stating that they didn’t and won’t receive a refund or credit for the prior year taxes. Don’t send these statements to the IRS. Keep them for your records. Generally, all employment tax records must be kept for at least 4 years. Copies must be submitted to the IRS if requested.
Check the box on line 4b to certify that your overreported amount is only for the employer share of taxes on those employees who you were unable to find or those who didn’t give you a statement described on line 4a.
Check the box on line 4c to certify that your overreported amount is only for federal income tax, social security tax, Medicare tax, or Additional Medicare Tax that you didn’t withhold from your employees.
If you’re filing a claim for refund or abatement of overreported federal income tax, social security tax, Medicare tax, or Additional Medicare Tax and checked the box on line 2, check the appropriate box on line 5. You may need to check more than one box. If you obtained written statements or consents from some employees but you couldn’t locate employees or secure the statements of the remaining employees, check all applicable boxes. Provide a summary on line 21 of the amount of the corrections for the employees who provided statements or consents and for those who didn’t.
You may not file a refund claim to correct federal income tax or Additional Medicare Tax actually withheld from employees. If you request their consent to file a claim for social security tax or Medicare tax, you must tell your employees that you can't claim a refund of any Additional Medicare Tax on their behalf. See Rev. Proc. 2017-28 for sample language to use in your request.
Check the box on line 5a if your overreported tax includes each affected employee share of prior year social security and Medicare tax. You’re certifying that you repaid or reimbursed to the employees their share of prior year social security and Medicare tax and you received written statements from those employees stating that they didn’t and won’t receive a refund or credit for the prior year taxes. Don't send these statements to the IRS. Keep them for your records. Generally, all employment tax records must be kept for at least 4 years. Copies must be submitted to the IRS if requested.
Check the box on line 5b if your overreported tax includes each affected employee share of prior year social security and Medicare tax and you haven’t yet repaid or reimbursed the employee share of taxes. You’re certifying that you received consent from each affected employee to file a claim on the employee share of those taxes and you received written statements from those employees stating that they didn’t and won’t receive a refund or credit for the prior year taxes.
An employee consent must:
Contain the name, address, and social security number (or truncated taxpayer identification number, when appropriate) of the employee;
Contain the name, address, and EIN of the employer;
Contain the tax period(s), type of tax, and the amount of tax for which the consent is provided;
Affirmatively state that the employee authorizes the employer to claim a refund for the overpayment of the employee share of tax;
Include the employee's written statement certifying that the employee hasn't made any previous claims (or the claims were rejected) and won't make any future claims for refund or credit of the amount of the overcollection;
Identify the basis of the claim; and
Be dated and contain the employee's signature under penalties of perjury. The penalties of perjury statement should be located immediately above the required signature.
Don’t send these statements and consents to the IRS. Keep them for your records. Generally, all employment tax records must be kept for at least 4 years. Copies must be submitted to the IRS if requested.
In certain situations, you may not have repaid or reimbursed your employees or obtained their consents prior to filing a claim, such as in cases where the period of limitations on credit or refund is about to expire. In those situations, file Form 943-X but don’t check a box on line 5. Tell us on line 21 that you haven’t repaid or reimbursed employees or obtained consents at the time you file the claim. However, you must repay or reimburse your employees and certify that you have done so before the IRS can allow the claim.
Check the box on line 5c to certify that your overreported tax is only for the employer share of social security and Medicare tax. This applies when affected employees didn’t give you consent to file a claim for refund for the employee share of social security and Medicare tax, they couldn’t be found, or they didn’t give you a statement described on line 5b.
Check the box on line 5d to certify that your overreported amount is only for federal income tax, social security tax, Medicare tax, or Additional Medicare Tax that you didn’t withhold from your employees.
Part 3: Enter the Corrections for the Calendar Year You’re Correcting
On lines 6–9, columns 1 and 2, show amounts for all of your employees, not just for those employees whose amounts you’re correcting.
If a correction that you report in column 4 includes both underreported and overreported amounts (see the instructions for line 19, later), give us details for each error on line 21.
Because special circumstances apply for lines 10–15, 17a, and 17b, read the instructions for each line carefully before entering amounts in the columns.
If you previously adjusted or amended Form 943 using Form 943-X or because of an IRS examination change, show amounts in column 2 that include those previously reported corrections.
6. Total Wages Subject to Social Security Tax
If you’re correcting the taxable social security wages you reported on Form 943, line 2, enter the total corrected amount in column 1. In column 2, enter the amount you originally reported or as previously corrected. In column 3, enter the difference between columns 1 and 2.
- line 6 (column 2)
Multiply the amount in column 3 by 0.124 (12.4% tax rate) and enter that result in column 4.
line 6 (column 3)
line 6 (column 4) If the amount in column 3 used a minus sign, also use a minus sign in column 4.
If you’re correcting only the employer share of tax on a decrease to social security wages, use 0.062 (6.2%) when multiplying the amount shown in column 3. If you’re correcting both shares of tax for some employees and only the employer share for other employees, enter the properly calculated amount in column 4. Be sure to show your calculations on line 21.
You reported $9,000 as social security wages on your 2017 Form 943, line 2. In December of 2018, you discover that you included $2,000 in social security wages for one of your employees twice. To correct the error, figure the difference on Form 943-X as shown.
Column 1 (corrected amount) 7,000.00
Column 2 (Form 943, line 2) - 9,000.00
Column 3 (difference) - 2,000.00
Column 3 (difference) -2,000.00
Tax rate (12.4%) x 0.124
Column 4 (tax correction) -248.00
Be sure to explain the reasons for this correction on line 21.
7. Total Wages Subject to Medicare Tax
If you’re correcting the taxable Medicare wages you reported on Form 943, line 4, enter the total corrected amount in column 1. In column 2, enter the amount you originally reported or as previously corrected. In column 3, enter the difference between columns 1 and 2.
- line 7 (column 2)
line 7 (column 3) If the amount in column 2 is larger than the amount in column 1, also use a minus sign in column 3.
Multiply the amount in column 3 by 0.029 (2.9% tax rate) and enter that result in column 4.
line 7 (column 3)
line 7 (column 4) If the amount in column 3 used a minus sign, also use a minus sign in column 4.
If you’re correcting only the employer share of tax on a decrease to Medicare wages, use 0.0145 (1.45%) when multiplying the amount in column 3. If you’re correcting both shares of tax for some employees and only the employer share for other employees, enter the properly calculated amount in column 4. Be sure to explain your calculations on line 21.
Example—Medicare wages decreased.
Following Example—Social security wages decreased in the instructions for line 6, the wages that you counted twice were also taxable Medicare wages. To correct the error, figure the difference on Form 943-X as shown.
Column 2 (Form 943, line 4) - 9,000.00
Tax rate (2.9%) x 0.029
Column 4 (tax correction) -58.00
You may use Form 943-X to correct errors to Additional Medicare Tax withholding for prior years if the amount reported on Form 943, line 7, isn’t the amount you actually withheld. This type of error is an administrative error. The administrative error adjustment corrects the amount reported on Form 943 to agree with the amount actually withheld from employees.
You may also correct errors to Additional Medicare Tax withholding for prior years if section 3509 rates apply. If section 3509 rates apply, see the instructions for lines 12–15, later.
If a prior year error was a nonadministrative error, you may correct only the wages subject to Additional Medicare Tax withholding that were originally reported on Form 943, line 6, or previously corrected on Form 943-X. You can’t correct the tax reported on Form 943, line 7.
If you’re correcting the wages subject to Additional Medicare Tax withholding that you reported on Form 943, line 6, enter the total corrected amount in column 1. In column 2, enter the amount you originally reported or as previously corrected. In column 3, enter the difference between columns 1 and 2.
- line 8 (column 2)
line 8 (column 3) If the amount in column 2 is larger than the amount in column 1, also use a minus sign in column 3.
Multiply the amount in column 3 by 0.009 (0.9% tax rate) and enter that result in column 4.
Example—Prior year administrative error (incorrectly reported amount of Additional Medicare Tax actually withheld).
Nathan Smith's wages exceeded the $200,000 withholding threshold for Additional Medicare Tax in November 2017. The total wages paid to Nathan for 2017 were $230,000. You withheld $270 ($30,000 x 0.009) from Nathan's wages. However, on your 2017 Form 943 you mistakenly reported $3,000 on line 6, and Additional Medicare Tax withheld of $27 on line 7. You discover the error on March 16, 2018. This is an example of an administrative error that may be corrected in a later calendar year because the amount actually withheld differs from the amount reported on your 2017 Form 943. Use Form 943-X, line 8, to correct the error as shown below.
Column 1 (corrected amount) 30,000.00
Column 2 (Form 943, line 6) - 3,000.00
Column 3 (difference) 27,000.00
Tax rate (0.9%) x 0.009
Column 4 (tax correction) 243.00
Prior year nonadministrative errors.
You may correct only the taxable wages subject to Additional Medicare Tax withholding that you reported on Form 943, line 6. Enter the total corrected amount in column 1. In column 2, enter the amount you originally reported or as previously corrected. In column 3, enter the difference between columns 1 and 2.
Don’t multiply the amount in column 3 by 0.009 (0.9% tax rate). Leave column 4 blank and explain the reasons for this correction on line 21.
Example—Prior year nonadministrative error (failure to withhold Additional Medicare Tax when required).
Leah Green's wages exceeded the $200,000 withholding threshold for Additional Medicare Tax in December 2017. The total wages paid to Leah for 2017 were $220,000. You were required to withhold $180 ($20,000 x 0.009) but you withheld nothing and didn’t report an amount on line 6 or line 7 of your 2017 Form 943. You discover the error on March 16, 2018. File Form 943-X to correct the wages subject to Additional Medicare Tax withholding for your 2017 Form 943, but you may not correct the Additional Medicare Tax withheld (column 4) because the error involves a previous year and the amount previously reported for the employee represents the actual amount withheld from the employee during 2017.
If you’re reporting both administrative errors and nonadministrative errors for the same prior year, enter the total corrected amount in column 1. In column 2, enter the amount you originally reported or as previously corrected. In column 3, enter the difference between columns 1 and 2. However, multiply only the amount of wages reported in column 3 that are related to administrative errors by 0.009 (0.9% tax rate). Don’t multiply any wages reported in column 3 that are related to nonadministrative errors by 0.009 (0.9% tax rate). Use line 21 to explain in detail your corrections. The explanation must include the reasons for the corrections and a breakdown of the amount reported in column 3 into the amounts related to administrative errors and nonadministrative errors.
Example—Combination of prior year administrative and nonadministrative errors.
Nathan Smith's wages exceeded the $200,000 withholding threshold for Additional Medicare Tax in November 2017. The total wages paid to Nathan for 2017 were $230,000. You withheld $270 ($30,000 x 0.009) from Nathan's wages. However, on your 2017 Form 943 you mistakenly reported $3,000 on line 6, and Additional Medicare Tax withheld of $27 on line 7. The difference in wages subject to Additional Medicare Tax related to this administrative error is $27,000 ($30,000 – $3,000).
Leah Green's wages exceeded the $200,000 withholding threshold for Additional Medicare Tax in December 2017. The total wages paid to Leah for 2017 were $220,000. You were required to withhold $180 ($20,000 x 0.009) but you withheld nothing and didn’t report Leah’s $20,000 in wages subject to Additional Medicare Tax withholding on line 6 of your 2017 Form 943.
You discover both errors on March 16, 2018. Use Form 943-X, line 8, to correct the errors as shown below.
Column 1 (corrected amount) 50,000.00
Column 3 (difference) 47,000.00
Determine the portion of wages reported in column 3 that is related to the administrative error ($47,000 - $20,000 (nonadministrative error) = $27,000 (administrative error)). Multiply this portion of column 3 by 0.009 (0.9% tax rate) to determine your tax correction.
Difference related to administrative error 27,000.00
Be sure to explain the reasons for these corrections on line 21. You must also report that $20,000 of the amount shown in column 3 was related to the correction of a prior year nonadministrative error and $27,000 of the amount shown in column 3 was related to the correction of an administrative error.
If you’re correcting the federal income tax withheld from wages that you reported on Form 943, line 8, enter the total corrected amount in column 1. In column 2, enter the amount you originally reported or as previously corrected. In column 3, enter the difference between columns 1 and 2.
- line 9 (column 2)
Generally, you may only correct administrative errors to federal income tax withholding (that is, errors in which the amount reported on Form 943 isn't the amount you actually withheld from an employee's wages) and errors for which section 3509 rates apply. Only transposition or math errors involving the inaccurate reporting of the amount withheld are "administrative errors." The administrative error adjustment corrects the amount reported on Form 943 to agree with the amount actually withheld from employees. See section 9 of Pub. 51 for more information about corrections during the calendar year and about administrative errors. If section 3509 rates apply, see the instructions for lines 12–15, later.
You can't file a Form 943-X to correct federal income tax withholding for prior years for nonadministrative errors. In other words, you can't correct federal income tax actually withheld from an employee in a prior year if you discover that you didn't withhold the right amount. For example, you can't correct federal income tax withheld in a prior year because you used the wrong income tax withholding table in Pub. 51 or you didn't treat a payment correctly as taxable or nontaxable. Similarly, if you paid federal income tax in a prior year on behalf of your employee, rather than deducting it from the employee's pay (which resulted in additional wages subject to tax), and in a subsequent year you determine that you incorrectly calculated the amount of tax, you can't correct the federal income tax withholding.
Example—Prior year nonadministrative error (failure to withhold federal income tax when required).
You were required to withhold $400 of federal income tax from an employee bonus that was paid in December of 2017 but you withheld nothing. You discovered the error on March 19, 2018. You can’t file Form 943-X to correct your 2017 Form 943 because the error involves a previous year and the amount previously reported for the employee represents the actual amount withheld from the employee during 2017.
Example—Prior year administrative error (incorrectly reported amount of federal income tax actually withheld).
You had three employees. In 2017, you withheld $1,000 of federal income tax from Nathan Smith, $2,000 from Leah Green, and $6,000 from Becky Lee. The total amount of federal income tax you withheld was $9,000. You mistakenly reported $6,000 on your 2017 Form 943, line 8. You discovered the error on March 19, 2018. This is an example of an administrative error that may be corrected in a later calendar year because the amount actually withheld from employees' wages differs from the amount reported on Form 943. Use Form 943-X to correct the error. Enter $9,000 in column 1 and $6,000 in column 2. Subtract the amount in column 2 from the amount in column 1.
Column 1 (corrected amount) 9,000.00
Column 2 (Form 943, line 8) - 6,000.00
Column 3 (difference) 3,000.00
Report the $3,000.00 as a tax correction in column 4.
Example—Nonadministrative error reporting federal income tax due to repayment of wages paid in prior year.
You paid Jack Brown $4,000 of wages for 2 months of work in September 2017. You withheld $400 of federal income tax at the time you paid Jack. These amounts were reported on your 2017 Form 943. Jack left employment in October 2017 (after only 1 month of service). In February 2018, Jack repaid $2,000 to you. You can't file Form 943-X to reduce the federal income tax withheld because you actually withheld the federal income tax from wages. You also can't file Form 943-X to reduce wages because the wages were income to Jack for the prior year. These amounts were correctly reported on Form 943.
Don’t enter an amount on line 10 unless you need to correct any adjustments reported on Form 943, line 10. Amounts reported on line 10 reflect corrections of amounts misstated on Form 943, line 10. See Example—Adjustment for third-party sick pay underreported below.
Enter the corrected amount for tax adjustments in column 1. Enter the originally reported or previously corrected amount from Form 943, line 10, in column 2. In column 3, enter the difference between columns 1 and 2.
- line 10 (column 2)
You may need to report negative numbers in any column. Make sure that the difference you enter in column 3 accurately represents the change to adjustments originally reported or previously corrected on Form 943, line 10.
On line 21, describe what you misreported on Form 943. Tell us if your adjustment is for fractions of cents, third-party sick pay, or group-term life insurance.
Example—Adjustment for third-party sick pay underreported.
You reported $6,900 (shown as
"–6,900.00") as a third-party sick pay adjustment (reduction to tax) on your 2017 Form 943, line 10. Your third-party sick pay adjustment should have been $9,600 (shown as
"–9,600.00") because your third-party sick pay payer withheld that amount of social security and Medicare taxes from your employees. You discovered the error in April of 2018. To correct the error, figure the difference on Form 943-X as shown.
Column 1 (corrected amount) -9,600.00
Column 2 (Form 943, line 10) - (6,900.00)
Column 3 (difference) -2,700.00
Here is how you would enter the numbers on Form 943-X.
(corrected amount) (Form 943, line 10) (difference)
-9,600.00 -6,900.00 -2,700.00
Report "–2,700.00" as your correction in column 4.
In this example, you’re claiming a credit for $2,700 in overreported tax for your 2017 Form 943. Always enter the same amount in column 4 (including any minus sign) that you enter in column 3.
Only use line 10 to correct adjustments for fractions of cents, third-party sick pay, or group-term life insurance previously reported. File a separate Form 943-X for each year being corrected.
If you're correcting the qualified small business payroll tax credit for increasing research activities that you reported on Form 943, line 12, enter the total corrected amount in column 1. In column 2, enter the amount you originally reported or as previously corrected. In column 3, enter the difference between columns 1 and 2.
Copy the amount in column 3 to column 4. However, to properly show the amount as a credit or balance due item, enter a positive number in column 3 as a negative number in column 4 or a negative number in column 3 as a positive number in column 4.
You must attach a corrected Form 8974 and explain the reasons for this correction on line 21.
12–15. Special Additions to Wages for Federal Income Tax, Social Security Taxes, Medicare Taxes, and Additional Medicare Tax
Section 3509 provides special rates for the employee share of social security tax, Medicare tax, Additional Medicare Tax, and federal income tax withholding when workers are reclassified as employees in certain circumstances. The applicable rate depends on whether you filed required information returns. An employer can’t recover any tax paid under this provision from the employees. The full employer share of social security and Medicare tax is due for all reclassifications.
Section 3509 rates aren’t available if you intentionally disregarded the requirements to withhold taxes from the employee, or if you withheld federal income tax but didn’t withhold social security and Medicare tax. Section 3509 rates are also not available for certain statutory employees.
On lines 12–15, enter only corrections to wages resulting from reclassifying certain workers as employees when section 3509 rates are used to calculate the taxes.
For social security taxes, use the employer rate of 6.2% plus 20% of the employee rate of 6.2%, for a total rate of 7.44% of wages.
For Additional Medicare Tax, 0.18% (20% of the employee rate of 0.9%) of wages subject to Additional Medicare Tax.
For federal income tax withholding, the rate is 1.5% of wages.
If the employer didn’t issue the required information returns, use the section 3509 rates as follows.
For social security taxes, use the employer rate of 6.2% plus 40% of the employee rate of 6.2%, for a total rate of 8.68% of wages.
For Additional Medicare Tax, 0.36% (40% of the employee rate of 0.9%) of wages subject to Additional Medicare Tax.
For federal income tax withholding, the rate is 3.0% of wages.
Unlike other lines on Form 943-X, enter in column 1 only the corrected wages for workers being reclassified, not the amount paid to all employees. Enter in column 2 previously reported wages (if any) to reclassified employees. To get the amount for column 4, use the applicable section 3509 rates. If you filed the required information returns for some employees but didn’t file them for other employees, be sure to use the applicable rates for each employee when calculating the amounts in column 4 and show your calculations on line 21. The tax correction in column 4 will be a positive number if you increased the amount of wages you previously reported. See the instructions for line 20, later, for more information.
Combine the amounts from column 4 on lines 6–15 and enter the result on line 16.
You entered "−500.00" in column 4 of line 6, "−100.00" in column 4 of line 7, and "1,400.00" in column 4 of line 10. Combine these amounts and enter "800.00" in column 4 of line 16.
Line 6 −500.00
Line 7 −100.00
Line 10 +1,400.00
Line 16 800.00
The COBRA premium assistance credit was available to an employer for premiums paid on behalf of employees who were involuntarily terminated from employment between September 1, 2008, and May 31, 2010. The COBRA premium assistance credit isn’t available for individuals who were involuntarily terminated after May 31, 2010. Therefore, only in rare circumstances, such as instances where COBRA eligibility was delayed as a result of employer provided health insurance coverage following termination, will the credit be available.
Enter 65% of the total COBRA premium assistance payments for all assistance-eligible individuals in column 1. Report the premium assistance payments on this line only after the assistance-eligible individual's 35% share of the premium has been paid. For COBRA coverage provided under a self-insured plan, COBRA premium assistance is treated as having been made for each assistance-eligible individual who paid 35% of the COBRA premium. Don’t include the assistance-eligible individual's 35% of the premium in the amount entered on this line.
For tax periods ending before January 1, 2014, enter any COBRA premium assistance payments previously claimed on Form 943, line 13a, in column 2. For tax periods beginning after December 31, 2013, enter -0- in column 2, unless you’re correcting a COBRA premium assistance payment previously reported on a Form 943-X. If you or the IRS previously corrected the amount reported, the amount entered in column 2 should take into account all previous corrections.
Enter the difference between column 1 and 2 in column 3. Copy the amount in column 3 to column 4. However, to properly show the amount as a credit or balance due item, enter a positive number in column 3 as a negative number in column 4 or a negative number in column 3 as a positive number in column 4.
The COBRA premium assistance credit is treated as a credit on the first day of the return period (that is, January 1). However, because the credit is now claimed on Form 943-X filed after submission of the Form 943, an employer that reduces its required deposits in anticipation of the credit will receive a system-generated notice reflecting a balance due and associated penalties and interest, if applicable. The balance due, including any related penalties and interest, resulting from the reduction in deposits in anticipation of the credit will be abated when the credit is applied. Such abatement will generally occur without any further action from the employer. Alternatively, to prevent triggering a system-generated balance due notice, the employer can make its deposits without a reduction in anticipation of the COBRA premium assistance credit and follow these instructions for claiming the COBRA premium assistance credit.
For more information on the COBRA premium subsidy, go to IRS.gov/COBRACredit.
Enter the total number of assistance-eligible individuals provided COBRA premium assistance in column 1. Count each assistance-eligible individual who paid a reduced COBRA premium as one individual, whether or not the reduced premium was for insurance that covered more than one assistance-eligible individual. For example, if the reduced COBRA premium was for coverage for a former employee, spouse, and two children, you would include one individual in the number entered on line 17b for the premium assistance entered on line 17a. Further, each individual is reported only once. For example, an assistance-eligible individual who made monthly premium payments would only be reported as one individual on line 17b.
For tax periods ending before January 1, 2014, enter the number of assistance-eligible individuals provided COBRA premium assistance previously reported on Form 943, line 13b, in column 2. For tax periods beginning after December 31, 2013, enter -0- in column 2, unless you’re correcting a previously filed Form 943-X. If you or the IRS previously corrected the number of individuals reported, the number entered in column 2 should take into account all previous corrections.
Combine lines 16 and column 4 of line 17a, and enter the result on line 18.
If the amount entered on line 18 is less than zero, for example, "−115.00," you have a credit because you overreported your federal employment taxes.
If you checked the box on line 1, include this amount on the "Total deposits" line of Form 943 for the year during which you filed Form 943-X. Don’t make any changes to your Monthly Summary of Federal Tax Liability on Form 943 or on Form 943-A. The amounts reported in your Monthly Summary of Federal Tax Liability or on Form 943-A should reflect your actual tax liability for the period.
If you checked the box on line 2, you’re filing a claim for refund or abatement of the amount shown.
If your credit is less than $1, we will send a refund or apply it only if you ask us in writing to do so.
If the amount on line 18 is a positive number, you must pay the amount you owe by the time you file Form 943-X. You may not use any credit that you show on another Form 943-X to pay the amount you owe, even if you filed for the amount you owe and the credit at the same time.
If you owe tax and are filing a timely Form 943-X, don’t file an amended Form 943-A unless you were assessed an FTD penalty caused by an incorrect, incomplete, or missing Form 943-A. Don’t include the tax increase reported on Form 943-X on any amended Form 943-A you file.
If you owe tax and are filing a late Form 943-X, that is, after the due date for the return period in which you discovered the error, you must file an amended Form 943-A with the Form 943-X. Otherwise, the IRS may assess an “averaged” FTD penalty. The total tax reported on Form 943-A, line M, must match the corrected tax (Form 943, line 13 (line 11 for calendar years 2013–2016), combined with any correction reported on Form 943-X, line 16) for the year, less any previous abatements and interest-free tax assessments.
You may pay the amount you owe on line 18 electronically using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), by credit card or debit card, or by a check or money order.
The preferred method of payment is EFTPS. For more information, go to EFTPS.gov, or call EFTPS Customer Service at 1-800-555-4477 or 1-800-733-4829 (TDD) toll free. Additional information about EFTPS is also available in Pub. 966.
To pay by credit or debit card, go to IRS.gov/PayByCard. Your payment will be processed by a payment processor who will charge a processing fee.
If you pay by check or money order, make it payable to "United States Treasury." On your check or money order, be sure to write your EIN, "Form 943-X," and the year corrected.
You don’t have to pay if the amount you owe is less than $1.
If line 18 reflects overreported tax and the IRS previously assessed an FTD penalty, you may be able to reduce the penalty. For more information, see the Form 943-A instructions.
Part 4: Explain Your Corrections for the Calendar Year You’re Correcting
Check the box on line 19 if any corrections you entered on lines 6–15 and 17a in column 3 reflect both underreported and overreported amounts.
If you had an increase to social security wages of $15,000 for Nathan Smith and a decrease to social security wages of $5,000 for Leah Green, you would enter $10,000 on line 6, column 3. That $10,000 represents the net change from corrections.
On line 21, you must explain the reason for both the $15,000 increase and the $5,000 decrease.
Check the box on line 20 if you reclassified any workers to be independent contractors or nonemployees. Also check this box if the IRS (or you) determined that workers you treated as independent contractors or nonemployees should be classified as employees. On line 21, give us a detailed reason why any worker was reclassified and, if you used section 3509 rates on lines 12–15 for any worker reclassified as an employee, explain why section 3509 rates apply and what rates you used.
Return not filed because you didn’t treat any workers as employees.
If you didn’t previously file Form 943 because you mistakenly treated all workers as independent contractors or as nonemployees, file a Form 943 for each delinquent year.
On each Form 943 for which you’re entitled to use section 3509 rates, complete the following steps.
Write " Misclassified Employees " in bold letters across the top margin of page 1.
Enter a zero on line 13 (line 11 for calendar years 2013–2016).
Attach a completed Form 943-X (see instructions next).
On each attached Form 943-X, complete the following steps.
Complete the top of Form 943-X, including the date you discovered the error.
Enter the wage amounts on lines 12–15, column 1.
Enter zeros on lines 12–15, column 2.
Provide a detailed statement on line 21.
If you can’t use section 3509 rates (for example, because the workers you treated as nonemployees were certain statutory employees), file a Form 943 for each delinquent year. Write " Misclassified Employees " in bold letters across the top margin of page 1 of each Form 943. Complete Form 943 using the Instructions for Form 943. Attach a Form 943-X to each Form 943. Complete the top of Form 943-X, including the date you discovered the error, and provide a detailed explanation on line 21.
Treasury regulations require you to explain in detail the grounds and facts relied upon to support each correction. On line 21, describe in detail each correction you entered in column 4 on lines 6–15 and 17a. Also explain any correction made on line 17b. If you need more space, attach additional sheets, but be sure to write your name, EIN, "Form 943-X," and the calendar year you’re correcting on the top of each sheet.
You must describe the events that caused the underreported or overreported amounts. Explanations such as "social security and Medicare wages were overstated," "administrative/payroll errors were discovered," or "taxes were not withheld" are insufficient and may delay processing your Form 943-X because the IRS may need to ask for a more complete explanation.
Provide the following information in your explanation for each correction.
Form 943-X line number(s) affected.
Difference (amount of the error).
"The $1,000 difference shown in column 3 of lines 6 and 7 was discovered on May 15, 2017, during an internal audit. We discovered that we included $1,000 of wages for one of the employees twice. This correction removes the reported wages that were never paid."
For corrections shown on lines 12–15, explain why the correction was necessary and attach any notice you received from the IRS.
You must complete all three pages of Form 943-X and sign it. If you don’t sign it on page 3, processing of Form 943-X will be delayed.
Corporation (including limited liability company (LLC) treated as a corporation)—The president, vice president, or other principal officer duly authorized to sign.
Partnership (including LLC treated as a partnership) or unincorporated organization—A responsible and duly authorized partner, member, or officer having knowledge of its affairs.
Form 943-X may also be signed by a duly authorized agent of the taxpayer if a valid power of attorney has been filed.
Corporate officers or duly authorized agents may sign Form 943-X by rubber stamp, mechanical device, or computer software program. For details and required documentation, see Rev. Proc. 2005-39, 2005-28 I.R.B. 82, available at IRS.gov/irb/2005-28_IRB/ar16.html.
A paid preparer must sign Form 943-X and provide the information in the Paid Preparer Use Only section of Part 5 if the preparer was paid to prepare Form 943-X and isn’t an employee of the filing entity. Paid preparers must sign paper returns with a manual signature. The preparer must give you a copy of the return in addition to the copy to be filed with the IRS.
If you’re a paid preparer, enter your Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) in the space provided. Include your complete address. If you work for a firm, enter the firm's name and the EIN of the firm. You can apply for a PTIN online or by filing Form W-12. For more information about applying for a PTIN online, go to IRS.gov/PTIN. You can’t use your PTIN in place of the EIN of the tax preparation firm.
Generally, you’re not required to complete this section if you’re filing the return as a reporting agent and have a valid Form 8655 on file with the IRS. However, a reporting agent must complete this section if the reporting agent offered legal advice, for example, advising the client on determining whether its workers are employees or independent contractors for federal tax purposes.
You can download or print some of the forms and publications you may need on IRS.gov/Forms. Otherwise, you can go to IRS.gov/OrderForms to place an order and have forms mailed to you.
We ask for the information on Form 943-X 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, including federal income tax withholding, on wages. This form is used to determine the amount of taxes you owe. Section 6011 requires you to provide the requested information if the tax applies to you.
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.
The time needed to complete and file Form 943-X will vary depending on individual circumstances. The estimated average time is:
Recordkeeping 14 hr., 6 min.
Learning about the law or the form 52 min.
Preparing and sending the form to the IRS 2 hr., 20 min.
If you have comments concerning the accuracy of these time estimates or suggestions for making this form simpler, we would be happy to hear from you. You can send us comments from IRS.gov/FormComments. Or you can write to the Internal Revenue Service, Tax Forms and Publications Division, 1111 Constitution Ave. NW, IR-6526, Washington, DC 20224. Don’t send Form 943-X to this address. Instead, see Where Should You File Form 943-X, earlier.