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Instructions for Form 944 - Introductory Material


What's New

Changes to filing addresses.   We have changed some of the filing addresses to add Department of the Treasury. See Where Should You File? on page 4.

Social security wage base for 2007.   Do not withhold social security tax after an employee reaches $97,500 in social security wages. There is no limit on the amount of wages subject to Medicare tax.

Social security wage base for 2008.   The wage base for 2008 is $102,000.

Reminders

Form 944—annual employment tax filing for small employers.   To reduce burden on small employers, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has simplified the rules for filing employment tax returns to report social security, Medicare, and withheld federal income taxes. Certain employers must file Form 944, Employer's ANNUAL Federal Tax Return, instead of Form 941, Employer's QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return.

Correcting Form 944 or Form 941.   If you discover an error on a previously filed Form 944 or Form 941 and you are required to file Form 944, make the correction using Form 944 for the year in which you discovered the error and attach Form 941c, Supporting Statement to Correct Information. For example, in May 2007, you discovered that you underreported $100 in social security and Medicare wages on your 2006 Form 944. Correct the error by showing $15.30 (15.3% × $100) on line 6c of your 2007 Form 944 and attaching a completed Form 941c. See Prior Period Adjustments in section 13 of Pub. 15 (Circular E), Employer's Tax Guide, for more information.

Electronic filing and payment.   Now, more than ever before, businesses can enjoy the benefits of filing and paying their federal taxes electronically. Whether you rely on a tax professional or handle your own taxes, IRS offers you convenient programs to make filing and paying easier. Spend less time and worry on taxes and more time running your business. Use e-file and Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) to your benefit.
  • For e-file, visit www.irs.gov.

  • For EFTPS, visit www.eftps.gov or call EFTPS Customer
    Service at 1-800-555-4477, 1-800-733-4829 (TDD), or
    1-800-244-4829 (Spanish).

  
Paper filing requirement
If you were a semiweekly schedule depositor at any time during 2007, you must file a paper Form 944 and Form 945-A, Annual Record of Federal Tax Liability.

Electronic funds withdrawal (EFW).   If you file
Form 944 electronically, you can e-file and e-pay (electronic funds withdrawal) the balance due in a single step using tax preparation software or through a tax professional. However, do not use EFW to make federal tax deposits.
For more information on paying your taxes using EFW, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov and click on the electronic IRS link. A fee may be charged to file electronically.

Credit card payments.   Employers can pay the balance due shown on Form 944 by credit card. However, do not use a credit card to make federal tax deposits. For more information on paying your taxes with a credit card, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov and click on the electronic IRS link. A convenience fee will be charged for this service.

Where can you get telephone help?   You can call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line toll free at 1-800-829-4933 to order tax deposit coupons (Form 8109) and for answers to your questions about completing Form 944, tax deposit rules, or obtaining an employer identification number (EIN).

Photographs of missing children.   The IRS is a proud partner with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Photographs of missing children selected by the Center may appear in instructions on pages that would otherwise be blank. You can help bring these children home by looking at the photographs and calling 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) if you recognize a child.


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