Employer's Annual Federal Tax Return and Modifications to the Deposit Rules, 77672-77677 [2011-32069]

Agencies

• Internal Revenue Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 14, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77672-77677]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32069]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Part 31

[TD 9566]
RIN 1545-BK82


Employer's Annual Federal Tax Return and Modifications to the 
Deposit Rules

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service, Treasury.

ACTION: Final regulations and removal of temporary regulations.

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SUMMARY: This document contains final regulations relating to the 
Employers' Annual Federal Tax Program (the Form 944 Program) and the 
requirements for depositing social security, Medicare, and withheld 
Federal income taxes (collectively ``employment taxes''). These final 
regulations allow certain employers to file a Form 944, ``Employer's 
ANNUAL Federal Tax Return,'' rather than Forms 941, ``Employer's 
QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return.'' Additionally, these final regulations 
provide guidance related to the lookback periods and deposit 
requirements for employers required to file Forms 941 and Form 944. 
These final regulations affect taxpayers that file Forms 941, Form 944, 
and any related Spanish-language returns or returns for U.S. 
possessions.

DATES: Effective Date: These regulations are effective on December 14, 
2011.

[[Page 77673]]

    Applicability Date: For dates of applicability, see Sec. Sec.  
31.6011(a)-1(g), 31.6011(a)-4(d), and 31.6302-1(n).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Records, (202) 622-4910 (not 
a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    These final regulations amend the Regulations on Employment Taxes 
and Collection of Income Tax at Source (26 CFR part 31) under section 
6011 relating to the employment tax return filing requirements and 
section 6302 relating to the employment tax deposit requirements. These 
final regulations are part of the IRS' continued effort to reduce 
taxpayer burden by permitting certain employers to file one employment 
tax return annually instead of four quarterly employment tax returns.
    The Treasury Department and the IRS are considering changes to the 
annual filing program in light of the program's performance as measured 
against the program's original goals, administrative and operational 
considerations, and overall program effectiveness. Any changes to the 
program will be set forth in future guidance.
    On January 3, 2006, temporary regulations (TD 9239) relating to 
Form 944 (the 2006 temporary regulations) were published in the Federal 
Register (71 FR 11). A notice of proposed rulemaking (REG-148568-04) 
cross-referencing the 2006 temporary regulations was published in the 
Federal Register on the same day (71 FR 46) (the 2006 proposed 
regulations). A correction to the 2006 temporary regulations was 
published in the Federal Register on March 17, 2006 (71 FR 13766). On 
December 29, 2008, temporary regulations (TD 9440), which revised the 
2006 temporary regulations, relating to Form 944 (the 2008 temporary 
regulations) were published in the Federal Register (73 FR 79354). A 
notice of proposed rulemaking (REG-148568-04) cross-referencing the 
2008 temporary regulations was published in the Federal Register on the 
same day (73 FR 79423) (the 2008 proposed regulations). No requests for 
a public hearing were received; therefore, no public hearing was held. 
As noted in the 2008 temporary regulations, comments were received 
responding to the 2006 notice of proposed rulemaking. Those comments 
requested that use of Form 944 be changed from mandatory to voluntary 
and that the amount of the employment tax liability used to determine 
whether employers are eligible to file Form 944 (the ``eligibility 
threshold'') be increased. The Treasury Department and the IRS agreed 
to make Form 944 voluntary and to continue to consider whether to 
increase the eligibility threshold. No comments responding to the 2008 
notice of proposed rulemaking were received. This Treasury decision 
adopts the rules of the 2008 proposed regulations with minor clarifying 
changes and removes the temporary regulations. That is, participation 
in the Form 944 Program will remain voluntary and the eligibility 
threshold for participation will remain at $1,000.

Explanation of Revisions

    Although this Treasury decision adopts the rules of the proposed 
regulations with no substantive change, some of the language included 
in the proposed regulations and the existing final regulations is 
clarified and updated to reflect current law and practice. The 
revisions are discussed in this preamble.
    Employers that request to participate in the Form 944 Program must 
receive written notice to file Form 944 before they are permitted to 
file the form. Once employers receive this notice, they must file Form 
944 for each year and cannot file Forms 941 until they are notified 
that their filing requirement has changed to Forms 941 because (1) They 
contacted the IRS to request that their filing requirement be changed 
to Forms 941, or (2) they no longer qualify for the Form 944 Program. 
The IRS issued guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin 
(Rev. Proc. 2009-13 (2009-1 CB 323) and Rev. Proc. 2009-51 (2009-45 IRB 
625)) that provides procedures for employers to follow to request to 
file Form 944 instead of Forms 941 (``opt in''). Additionally, Rev. 
Proc. 2009-13 and Rev. Proc. 2009-51 provide procedures for employers 
to follow to request to file Forms 941 instead of Form 944 when the IRS 
previously notified them they should file Form 944 (``opt out''). Under 
Rev. Proc. 2009-13, for tax year 2009, employers who were notified they 
should file Form 944 could only opt out if they anticipated that their 
employment tax liability would exceed the $1,000 threshold or if they 
wanted to e-file Forms 941 quarterly instead. Beginning in 2010, 
employers were able to opt out of filing Form 944 for any reason if 
they followed the procedures set forth in Rev. Proc. 2009-51 or its 
successor. These final regulations clarify that employers should follow 
the procedures contained in Rev. Proc 2009-51 or its successor to opt 
in or to opt out of the Form 944 Program.
    The revisions contained in these final regulations also impact 
employers that file Spanish-language returns or returns for U.S. 
possessions. For tax year 2012 and later, Form 944-SS, Employer's 
ANNUAL Federal Tax Return (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of 
the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and Form 
944-PR, Planilla para la Declaraci[oacute]n Federal ANUAL del Patrono, 
will be eliminated due to the low volume of employers filing these 
forms. Employers who would otherwise file a Form 944-SS or Form 944-PR 
will file a Form 944. The Treasury Department and the IRS plan to 
retain Form 944(SP), Declaraci[oacute]n Federal ANUAL de Impuestos del 
Patrono o Empleador, which is the Spanish equivalent of Form 944. 
Employers in the United States in the Form 944 Program may file Form 
944(SP) as an alternative to filing Form 944. Additionally, employers 
in American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico may file a Form 
944(SP) as an alternative to filing Form 944, for tax year 2012 and 
later. These final regulations remove references to the eliminated 
forms and update the language included in the proposed regulations and 
the existing final regulations to provide guidance to former Form 944-
SS and Form 944-PR filers who are required to file Form 944 instead.
    Employers in American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands who are required to file 
Form 944 for tax year 2012 and later can request to file Forms 941-SS 
instead of Form 944. Employers in Puerto Rico who are required to file 
Form 944 for tax year 2012 and later can request to file Forms 941-PR 
instead of Form 944. Employers required to file Form 944 should follow 
the procedures contained in Rev. Proc. 2009-51 or its successor to 
request to file Form 941-SS or Form 941-PR. See Sec.  
601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b).

Special Analyses

    It has been determined that this Treasury decision is not a 
significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 12866, as 
supplemented by Executive Order 13563. Therefore, a regulatory 
assessment is not required. It also has been determined that section 
553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does 
not apply to these regulations. It is hereby certified that these 
regulations will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities

[[Page 77674]]

pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. Chapter 6). The 
regulations under sections 6011 and 6302 affect only a small number of 
taxpayers that file employment tax returns, and participation in the 
Form 944 Program is voluntary. Therefore, the Treasury Department and 
the IRS have determined that the regulations will not affect a 
substantial number of small entities. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of 
the Internal Revenue Code, the proposed regulations preceding these 
regulations were submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the 
Small Business Administration for comment on their impact on small 
entities. No comments from the Small Business Administration were 
received.

Drafting Information

    The principal authors of these regulations are Blaise Dusenberry 
and Jennifer Records of the Office of the Associate Chief Counsel 
(Procedure and Administration).

List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 31

    Employment taxes, Fishing vessels, Gambling, Income taxes, 
Penalties, Pensions, Railroad retirement, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Social Security, Unemployment compensation.

Adoption Amendments to the Regulations

    Accordingly, 26 CFR part 31 is amended as follows:

PART 31--EMPLOYMENT TAXES AND COLLECTION OF INCOME TAX AT SOURCE

0
Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 31 is amended by removing 
the entry for Sec.  31.6302-1T to read in part as follows:

    Authority:  26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *

0
Par. 2. Section 31.6011(a)-1 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(1), 
(a)(4), (a)(5) and (g) to read as follows:


Sec.  31.6011(a)-1  Returns under Federal Insurance Contributions Act.

    (a) Requirement--(1) In general. Except as otherwise provided in 
paragraphs (a)(3) and (a)(5) of this section and in Sec.  31.6011(a)-5 
every employer is required to make a return for the first calendar 
quarter in which the employer pays wages, other than wages for 
agricultural labor, subject to the tax imposed by the Federal Insurance 
Contributions Act, and is required to make a return for each subsequent 
calendar quarter (whether or not wages are paid therein) until the 
employer has filed a final return in accordance with Sec.  31.6011(a)-
6. Except as otherwise provided in Sec.  31.6011(a)-8 and in paragraphs 
(a)(3), (a)(4), and (a)(5) of this section, Form 941, ``Employer's 
QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return,'' is the form prescribed for making the 
return required by this paragraph (a)(1). Such return shall not include 
wages for agricultural labor required to be reported on any return 
prescribed by paragraph (a)(2) of this section. The return shall 
include wages received by an employee in the form of tips only to the 
extent of the tips reported by the employee to the employer in a 
written statement furnished to the employer pursuant to section 
6053(a).
* * * * *
    (4) Employers in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 
American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 
Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (a)(5), Form 941-PR, 
``Planilla para la Declaracion Federal TRIMESTRAL del Patrono,'' is the 
form prescribed for use in making the return required under paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section in the case of every employer whose principal 
place of business is in Puerto Rico, or if the employer has employees 
who are subject to income tax withholding for Puerto Rico. Except as 
otherwise provided in paragraph (a)(5), Form 941-SS, ``Employer's 
QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of 
the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands),'' is the 
form prescribed for use in making the return required under paragraph 
(a)(1) of this section in the case of every employer whose principal 
place of business is in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, 
or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or if the employer 
has employees who are subject to income tax withholding for these U.S. 
possessions. Form 941 (or Form 944, as described under paragraph (a)(5) 
of this section, if the IRS notified the employer that Form 944 must be 
filed in lieu of Form 941) is the form prescribed for making the return 
in the case of every employer who is required pursuant to Sec.  
31.6011(a)-4 to make a return of income tax withheld from wages.
    (5) Employers in the Employers' Annual Federal Tax Program (Form 
944)--(i) In general. Employers notified of their qualification for the 
Employers' Annual Federal Tax Program (Form 944) are required to file 
Form 944, ``Employer's ANNUAL Federal Tax Return,'' instead of Form 941 
(or Form 941-SS or Form 941-PR under paragraph (a)(4) of this section) 
to make a return as required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section. Upon 
proper request by the employer, the IRS will notify employers in 
writing of their qualification for the Employers' Annual Federal Tax 
Program (Form 944). The IRS will notify employers when they no longer 
qualify for the Employers' Annual Federal Tax Program (Form 944) and 
must file Forms 941 instead. Qualified employers are those with an 
estimated annual employment tax liability (that is, social security, 
Medicare, and withheld Federal income taxes) of $1,000 or less for the 
entire calendar year, except employers required under--
    (A) Paragraph (a)(2) of this section to make a return on Form 943, 
``Employer's Annual Federal Tax Return for Agricultural Employees''; or
    (B) Paragraph (a)(3) of this section to make a return on Schedule H 
(Form 1040), ``Household Employment Taxes.''
    (ii) Requests to opt in or opt out of the Employers' Annual Federal 
Tax Program (Form 944). The IRS has established procedures in Revenue 
Procedure 2009-51 published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin for 
employers to follow to request to participate in the Employers' Annual 
Federal Tax Program (Form 944) (to opt in) and to request to be removed 
from the Employers' Annual Federal Tax Program (Form 944) after 
becoming a participant in order to file Forms 941 instead (to opt out). 
The IRS will notify employers that their filing requirements have 
changed to Form 944 or Forms 941. Employers must follow the procedures 
in Revenue Procedure 2009-51 or its successor to request to opt in or 
opt out of the Employers' Annual Federal Tax Program (Form 944).
* * * * *
    (g) Effective/applicability dates. Paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(5)(i) 
of this section apply to taxable years beginning on or after December 
30, 2008. Paragraph (a)(4) of this section applies to taxable years 
beginning on or after January 1, 2012. Paragraph (a)(5)(ii) of this 
section applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2010. 
The rules of paragraph (a)(1) of this section that apply to taxable 
years beginning before December 30, 2008, are contained in Sec.  
31.6011(a)-1 as in effect prior to December 30, 2008. The rules of 
paragraph (a)(4) of this section that apply to taxable years beginning 
before January 1, 2012, are contained in Sec.  31.6011(a)-1 as in 
effect prior to January 1, 2012. The rules of paragraph (a)(5)(ii) of 
this section that apply to taxable years beginning before January 1, 
2010, but on or after December 30, 2008, are contained in Sec.  
31.6011(a)-1T

[[Page 77675]]

as in effect on or after December 30, 2008. The rules of paragraph 
(a)(5) of this section that apply to taxable years beginning before 
December 30, 2008, are contained in Sec.  31.6011(a)-1T as in effect 
prior to December 30, 2008.


Sec.  31.6011(a)-1T  [Removed].

0
Par. 3. Section 31.6011(a)-1T is removed.
0
Par. 4. Section 31.6011(a)-4 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(1), 
(a)(4) and (d) to read as follows:


Sec.  31.6011(a)-4  Returns of income tax withheld.

    (a) Withheld from wages--(1) In general. Except as otherwise 
provided in paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), and (b) of this section, 
and in Sec.  31.6011(a)-5, every person required to make a return of 
income tax withheld from wages pursuant to section 3402 shall make a 
return for the first calendar quarter in which the person is required 
to deduct and withhold such tax and for each subsequent calendar 
quarter, whether or not wages are paid therein, until the person has 
filed a final return in accordance with Sec.  31.6011(a)-6. Except as 
otherwise provided in paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(4), and (b) of 
this section, and in Sec.  31.6011(a)-8, Form 941, ``Employer's 
QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return,'' is the form prescribed for making the 
return required under this paragraph (a)(1).
* * * * *
    (4) Employers in the Employers' Annual Federal Tax Program (Form 
944)--(i) In general. Employers notified of their qualification for the 
Employers' Annual Federal Tax Program (Form 944) are required to file 
Form 944, ``Employer's ANNUAL Federal Tax Return,'' instead of Form 941 
to make a return of income tax withheld from wages pursuant to section 
3402. Upon proper request by the employer, the IRS will notify 
employers in writing of their qualification for the Employers' Annual 
Federal Tax Program (Form 944). The IRS will notify employers when they 
no longer qualify for the Employers' Annual Federal Tax Program (Form 
944) and must file Forms 941 instead. Qualified employers are those 
with an estimated annual employment tax liability (that is, social 
security, Medicare, and withheld federal income taxes) of $1,000 or 
less for the entire calendar year, except employers required under--
    (A) Paragraph (a)(3) of this section to make a return on Form 943, 
``Employer's Annual Federal Tax Return for Agricultural Employees''; or
    (B) Paragraph (a)(2) of this section to make a return on Schedule H 
(Form 1040), ``Household Employment Taxes.''
    (ii) Request to opt in or opt out of the Employers' Annual Federal 
Tax Program (Form 944). The IRS established procedures in Revenue 
Procedure 2009-51 published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin for 
employers to follow to request to participate in the Employers' Annual 
Federal Tax Program (Form 944) (to opt in) and to request to be removed 
from the Employers' Annual Federal Tax Program (Form 944) after 
becoming a participant in order to file Forms 941 instead (to opt out). 
The IRS will notify employers that their filing requirements have 
changed to Form 944 or Forms 941. Employers must follow the procedures 
in Revenue Procedure 2009-51 or its successor to opt in or opt out of 
the Employers' Annual Federal Tax Program (Form 944).
* * * * *
    (d) Effective/applicability dates. Paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(4)(i) 
of this section apply to taxable years beginning on or after December 
30, 2008. Paragraph (a)(4)(ii) of this section applies to taxable years 
beginning on or after January 1, 2010. The rules of paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section that apply to taxable years beginning before December 30, 
2008, are contained in Sec.  31.6011(a)-4 as in effect prior to 
December 30, 2008. The rules of paragraph (a)(4)(ii) of this section 
that apply to taxable years beginning before January 1, 2010, but on or 
after December 30, 2008, are contained in Sec.  31.6011(a)-4T as in 
effect on or after December 30, 2008. The rules of paragraph (a)(4) of 
this section that apply to taxable years beginning before December 30, 
2008, are contained in Sec.  31.6011(a)-4T as in effect prior to 
December 30, 2008. Paragraph (b)(6) of this section (relating to 
certain payments made by government entities subject to withholding 
under section 3402(t)) applies to payments made by government entities 
under section 3402(t) after December 31, 2012.


Sec.  31.6011(a)-4T  [Removed].

0
Par. 5. Section 31.6011(a)-4T is removed.
0
Par. 6. Section 31.6071(a)-1 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(1) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  31.6071(a)-1  Time for filing returns and other documents.

    (a) Federal Insurance Contributions Act and income tax withheld 
from wages and from nonpayroll payments--(1) Quarterly or annual 
returns. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, each 
return required to be made under Sec.  31.6011(a)-1, in respect of the 
taxes imposed by the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (26 U.S.C. 
3101-3128), or required to be made under Sec.  31.6011(a)-4, in respect 
of income tax withheld, shall be filed on or before the last day of the 
first calendar month following the period for which it is made. A 
return may be filed on or before the 10th day of the second calendar 
month following such period if timely deposits under section 6302(c) of 
the Code and the regulations have been made in full payment of such 
taxes due for the period.
* * * * *
    Par. 7. Section 31.6302-0 is amended as follows:

0
1. Revising the introductory text.
0
2. Revising the section heading for Sec.  31.6302-1.
0
3. Adding entries for paragraphs (b)(4)(i), (b)(4)(ii), (c)(5), (c)(6), 
(f)(4)(ii) and (f)(4)(iii) for Sec.  31.6302-1.
0
4. Revising the entries for paragraphs (d), (f)(4)(i), (f)(5), (g)(1) 
and (n) for Sec.  31.6302-1.
0
5. Removing the heading for Sec.  31.6302-1T and the entries for 
paragraphs (a) though (n).
    The revisions and additions to read as follows:


Sec.  31.6302-0  Table of contents.

    This section lists the table of contents for Sec. Sec.  31.6302-1 
through 31.6302-4.


Sec.  31.6302-1  Deposit rules for taxes under the Federal Insurance 
Contributions Act (FICA) and withheld income taxes.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (i) In general.
    (ii) Adjustments and claims for refund.
    (c) * * *
    (5) Exception to the monthly and semi-weekly deposit rules for 
employers in the Employers' Annual Federal Tax Program (Form 944).
    (6) Extension of time to deposit for employers in the Employers' 
Annual Federal Tax Program (Form 944) during the preceding year.
* * * * *
    (d) Examples.
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (i) De minimis deposit rules for quarterly and annual return 
periods beginning on or after January 1, 2001.
    (ii) De minimis deposit rule for quarterly return periods beginning 
on or after January 1, 2010.
    (iii) De minimis deposit rule for employers who file Form 944.

[[Page 77676]]

    (5) Examples.
    (g) * * *
    (1) In general.
* * * * *
    (n) Effective/applicability dates.
* * * * *


Sec.  31.6302-0T  [Removed]

0
Par. 8. Section 31.6302-0T is removed.
0
Par. 9. Section 31.6302-1 is amended by revising paragraphs (b)(4), 
(c)(5), (c)(6), (d) Example 6, (e)(2), (f)(4), (f)(5) Example 3, 
(g)(1), and (n) to read as follows:


Sec.  31.6302-1  Deposit rules for taxes under the Federal Insurance 
Contributions Act (FICA) and withheld income taxes.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (4) Lookback period--(i) In general. For employers who file Form 
941, ``Employer's QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return,'' (or any related 
Spanish-language returns or returns for U.S. possessions) the lookback 
period for each calendar year is the twelve month period ended the 
preceding June 30. For example, the lookback period for calendar year 
2006 is the period July 1, 2004, to June 30, 2005. The lookback period 
for employers who file Form 944, ``Employer's ANNUAL Federal Tax 
Return,'' or filed Form 944 (or any related Spanish-language returns or 
returns for U.S. possessions) for either of the two previous calendar 
years, is the second calendar year preceding the current calendar year. 
For example, the lookback period for calendar year 2006 is calendar 
year 2004. In determining status as either a monthly or semi-weekly 
depositor, an employer should determine the aggregate amount of 
employment tax liabilities reported on its return(s) (Forms 941 or Form 
944) for the lookback period. The amount of employment tax liabilities 
reported for the lookback period is the amount the employer reported on 
either Forms 941 or Form 944 even if the employer is required to file 
the other form for the current calendar year. New employers shall be 
treated as having employment tax liabilities of zero for any part of 
the lookback period before the date the employer started or acquired 
its business.
    (ii) Adjustments and claims for refund. The employment tax 
liability reported on the original return for the return period is the 
amount taken into account in determining whether the aggregate amount 
of employment taxes reported for the lookback period exceeds $50,000. 
Any amounts reported on adjusted returns or claims for refund pursuant 
to sections 6205, 6402, 6413, and 6414 filed after the due date of the 
original return are not taken into account when determining the 
aggregate amount of employment taxes reported for the lookback period. 
Prior period adjustments reported on Forms 941 or Form 944 for 2008 and 
earlier years are taken into account in determining the employment tax 
liability for the return period in which the adjustments are reported.
    (c) * * *
    (5) Exception to the monthly and semi-weekly deposit rules for 
employers in the Employers' Annual Federal Tax Program (Form 944). 
Generally, an employer who files Form 944 for a taxable year may remit 
its accumulated employment taxes with its timely filed return for that 
taxable year and is not required to deposit under either the monthly or 
semi-weekly rules set forth in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this 
section during that taxable year. An employer who files Form 944 whose 
actual employment tax liability exceeds the eligibility threshold, as 
set forth in Sec. Sec.  31.6011(a)-1(a)(5) and 31.6011(a)-4(a)(4), will 
not qualify for this exception and should follow the deposit rules set 
forth in this section.
    (6) Extension of time to deposit for employers in the Employers' 
Annual Federal Tax Program (Form 944) during the preceding year. An 
employer who filed Form 944 for the preceding year but will file Form 
941 instead for the current year will be deemed to have timely 
deposited its current year's January deposit obligation(s) under 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4) of this section if the employer 
deposits the amount of such deposit obligation(s) by March 15 of that 
year.
* * * * *
    (d) * * *

    Example 6. Extension of time to deposit for employers who filed 
Form 944 for the preceding year satisfied. F (a monthly depositor) 
was notified to file Form 944 to report its employment tax 
liabilities for the 2006 calendar year. F filed Form 944 on January 
31, 2007, reporting a total employment tax liability for 2006 of 
$3,000. Because F's annual employment tax liability for the 2006 
taxable year exceeded $1,000 (the applicable eligibility threshold 
for that taxable year), the IRS notified F to file Forms 941 for 
calendar year 2007 and thereafter. Based on F's liability during the 
lookback period (calendar year 2005, pursuant to paragraph (b)(4)(i) 
of this section), F is a monthly depositor for 2007. F accumulates 
$1,000 in employment taxes during January 2007. Because F is a 
monthly depositor, F's January deposit obligation is due February 
15, 2007. F does not deposit these accumulated employment taxes on 
February 15, 2007. F accumulates $1,500 in employment taxes during 
February 2007. F's February deposit is due March 15, 2007. F 
deposits the $2,500 of employment taxes accumulated during January 
and February on March 15, 2007. Pursuant to paragraph (c)(6) of this 
section, F will be deemed to have timely deposited the employment 
taxes due for January 2007, and, thus, the IRS will not impose a 
failure-to-deposit penalty under section 6656 for that month.

    (e) * * *
    (2) The term employment taxes does not include taxes with respect 
to wages for domestic service in a private home of the employer, unless 
the employer is otherwise required to file a Form 941 or Form 944 under 
Sec.  31.6011(a)-4 or Sec.  31.6011(a)-5. In the case of employers 
paying advance earned income credit amounts for periods ending before 
January 1, 2011, the amount of taxes required to be deposited shall be 
reduced by advance amounts paid to employees. Also, see Sec.  31.6302-3 
concerning a taxpayer's option with respect to payments made before 
January 1, 1994, to treat backup withholding amounts under section 3406 
separately.
    (f) * * *
    (4) De minimis rule--(i) De minimis deposit rules for quarterly and 
annual return periods beginning on or after January 1, 2001. If the 
total amount of accumulated employment taxes for the return period is 
de minimis and the amount is fully deposited or remitted with a timely 
filed return for the return period, the amount deposited or remitted 
will be deemed to have been timely deposited. The total amount of 
accumulated employment taxes is de minimis if it is less than $2,500 
for the return period or if it is de minimis pursuant to paragraph 
(f)(4)(ii) of this section.
    (ii) De minimis deposit rule for quarterly return periods beginning 
on or after January 1, 2010. For purposes of paragraph (f)(4)(i) of 
this section, if the total amount of accumulated employment taxes for 
the immediately preceding quarter was less than $2,500, unless Sec.  
31.6302-1(c)(3) applies to require a deposit at the close of the next 
day, then the employer will be deemed to have timely deposited the 
employer's employment taxes for the current quarter if the employer 
complies with the time and method payment requirements contained in 
paragraph (f)(4)(i) of this section.
    (iii) De minimis deposit rule for employers who file Form 944. An 
employer who files Form 944 whose employment tax liability for the year 
equals or exceeds $2,500 but whose employment tax liability for a 
quarter of the year is de minimis pursuant to paragraph (f)(4)(i) of 
this section will be

[[Page 77677]]

deemed to have timely deposited the employment taxes due for that 
quarter if the employer fully deposits the employment taxes accumulated 
during the quarter by the last day of the month following the close of 
that quarter. Employment taxes accumulated during the fourth quarter 
can be either deposited by January 31 or remitted with a timely filed 
return for the return period.
    (5) * * *

    Example 3. De minimis deposit rule for employers who file Form 
944 satisfied. K (a monthly depositor) was notified to file Form 944 
to report its employment tax liabilities for the 2006 calendar year. 
In the first quarter of 2006, K accumulates employment taxes in the 
amount of $1,000. On April 28, 2006, K deposits the $1,000 of 
employment taxes accumulated in the first quarter. K accumulates 
another $1,000 of employment taxes during the second quarter of 
2006. On July 31, 2006, K deposits the $1,000 of employment taxes 
accumulated in the second quarter. K's business grows and 
accumulates $1,500 in employment taxes during the third quarter of 
2006. On October 31, 2006, K deposits the $1,500 of employment taxes 
accumulated in the third quarter. K accumulates another $2,000 in 
employment taxes during the fourth quarter. K files Form 944 on 
January 31, 2007, reporting a total employment tax liability for 
2006 of $5,500 and submits a check for the remaining $2,000 of 
employment taxes with the return. K will be deemed to have timely 
deposited the employment taxes due for all of 2006 because K 
complied with the de minimis deposit rule provided in paragraph 
(f)(4)(iii) of this section. Therefore, the IRS will not impose a 
failure-to-deposit penalty under section 6656 for any month of the 
year. Under this de minimis deposit rule, because K was required to 
file Form 944 for calendar year 2006, if K's employment tax 
liability for a quarter is de minimis, then K may deposit that 
quarter's liability by the last day of the month following the close 
of the quarter. This de minimis rule allows K to have the benefit of 
the same quarterly de minimis amount K would have received if K 
filed Form 941 each quarter instead of Form 944 annually. Thus, 
because K's employment tax liability for each quarter was de 
minimis, K could deposit quarterly.

    (g) Agricultural employers--special rules--(1) In general. An 
agricultural employer reports wages paid to farm workers annually on 
Form 943 (Employer's Annual Tax Return for Agricultural Employees) and 
reports wages paid to nonfarm workers quarterly on Form 941 or annually 
on Form 944. Accordingly, an agricultural employer must treat 
employment taxes reportable on Form 943 (``Form 943 taxes'') separately 
from employment taxes reportable on Form 941 or Form 944 (``Form 941 or 
Form 944 taxes''). Form 943 taxes and Form 941 or Form 944 taxes are 
not combined for purposes of determining whether a deposit of either is 
due, whether the One-Day rule of paragraph (c)(3) of this section 
applies, or whether any safe harbor is applicable. In addition, Form 
943 taxes and Form 941 or Form 944 taxes must be deposited separately. 
(See paragraph (b) of this section for rules for determining an 
agricultural employer's deposit status for Form 941 taxes). Whether an 
agricultural employer is a monthly or semi-weekly depositor of Form 943 
taxes is determined according to the rules of this paragraph (g).
* * * * *
    (n) Effective/applicability dates. Except for the deposit of 
employment taxes attributable to payments made by government entities 
under section 3402(t), Sec. Sec.  31.6302-1 through 31.6302-3 apply 
with respect to the deposit of employment taxes attributable to 
payments made after December 31, 1992. Paragraph (e)(1)(iii)(E) of this 
section applies with respect to the deposit of employment taxes 
attributable to payments made by government entities under section 
3402(t) after December 31, 2012. To the extent that the provisions of 
Sec. Sec.  31.6302-1 through 31.6302-3 are inconsistent with the 
provisions of Sec. Sec.  31.6302(c)-1 and 31.6302(c)-2, a taxpayer will 
be considered to be in compliance with Sec. Sec.  31.6302-1 through 
31.6302-3 if the taxpayer makes timely deposits during 1993 in 
accordance with Sec. Sec.  31.6302(c)-1 and 31.6302(c)-2. Paragraphs 
(b)(4), (c)(5), (c)(6), (d) Example 6, (e)(2), (f)(4)(i), (f)(4)(iii), 
(f)(5) Example 3, and (g)(1) of this section apply to taxable years 
beginning on or after December 30, 2008. Paragraph (f)(4)(ii) of this 
section applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2010. 
The rules of paragraphs (e)(2) and (g)(1) of this section that apply to 
taxable years beginning before December 30, 2008, are contained in 
Sec.  31.6302-1 as in effect prior to December 30, 2008. The rules of 
paragraphs (b)(4), (c)(5), (c)(6), (d) Example 6, (f)(4)(i), 
(f)(4)(iii), and (f)(5) Example 3 of this section that apply to taxable 
years beginning on or after January 1, 2006, and before December 30, 
2008, are contained in Sec.  31.6302-1T as in effect prior to December 
30, 2008. The rules of paragraphs (b)(4) and (f)(4) of this section 
that apply to taxable years beginning before January 1, 2006, are 
contained in Sec.  31.6302-1 as in effect prior to January 1, 2006. The 
rules of paragraph (g) of this section eliminating use of Federal tax 
deposit coupons apply to deposits and payments made after December 31, 
2010.
* * * * *


Sec.  31.6302-1T  [Removed].

    Par. 10. Section 31.6302-1T is removed.

Steven T. Miller,
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
    Approved: December 6, 2011.
Emily S. McMahon,
Acting Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax Policy).
[FR Doc. 2011-32069 Filed 12-9-11; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-P