Individuals in Chapter 12 or 13
Only individuals may file a chapter 13 bankruptcy. Chapter 13 relief is not available to corporations or partnerships. The
bankruptcy estate is not treated as a separate entity for tax purposes when an individual files a petition under chapter 12 (Adjustment of Debts of
a Family Farmer or Fisherman with Regular Annual Income) or 13 (Adjustment of Debts of an Individual with Regular Income)
of the Bankruptcy Code. In these cases the individual continues to file the same federal income tax returns that were filed
prior to the bankruptcy petition, Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.
On the debtor's individual tax return, Form 1040, report all income received during the entire year and deduct all allowable
expenses. Do not include in income the amount from any debt canceled due to the debtor's bankruptcy. To the extent the debtor
has any losses, credits, or basis in property that were previously reduced as a result of canceled debt, these reductions
must be included on the debtor's return. See Debt Cancellation, later.
Interest on trust accounts in chapter 13 cases.
In chapter 13 proceedings, do
not include interest earned on amounts held by the trustee in trust accounts as income on the debtor's return. This interest
is not available to either the debtor or creditors, it is available only to the trustee for use by the U.S. Trustee system.
The interest is also not taxable to the trustee as income.
Individuals in Chapter 7 or 11
When an individual debtor files for bankruptcy under chapter 7 or 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, the bankruptcy estate is treated
as a new taxable entity, separate from the individual taxpayer.
The bankruptcy estate in a chapter 7 case is represented by a trustee. The trustee is appointed to administer the estate and
liquidate any nonexempt assets. In chapter 11 cases, the debtor often remains in control of the assets as a “debtor-in-possession” and acts as the bankruptcy trustee. However, the bankruptcy court, for cause, may appoint a trustee if such appointment
is in the best interests of the creditors and the estate.
During the chapter 7 or 11 bankruptcy, the debtor continues to file an individual tax return on Form 1040. The bankruptcy
trustee files a Form 1041 for the bankruptcy estate. However, when a debtor in a chapter 11 bankruptcy case remains a debtor-in-possession,
he or she must file both a Form 1040 individual return and a Form 1041 estate return for the bankruptcy estate (if return
filing requirements are met).
Although a husband and wife may file a joint bankruptcy petition whose bankruptcy estates are jointly administered, the estates
are be treated as two separate entities for tax purposes. Two separate bankruptcy estate income tax returns must be filed (if each spouse separately meets the filing requirements).
For information about determining the tax due and paying tax for a chapter 7 or 11 bankruptcy estate, see Bankruptcy Estate Tax Return Filing Requirements and Payment of Tax Due, later.
Debtor's Election To End Tax Year – Form 1040
Short tax years.
An individual debtor in a chapter 7 or 11 case may elect to close the debtor's tax year for the year in which the
bankruptcy petition is filed, as of the day before the date on which the bankruptcy case commences. If the debtor makes this
election, the debtor's tax year is divided into 2 short tax years of less than 12 months each. The first tax year ends on
the day
before the commencement date and the second tax year begins on the commencement date.
If the election is made, the debtor's federal income tax liability for the first short tax year becomes an allowable
claim against the bankruptcy estate arising before the bankruptcy filing. Also, the tax liability for the first short tax
year is not subject to discharge under the Bankruptcy Code.
If the debtor does not make an election to end the tax year, the commencement of the bankruptcy case does not affect
the debtor's tax year. Also, no part of the debtor's income tax liability for the year in which the bankruptcy case commences
can be collected from the bankruptcy estate.
Note.
The debtor cannot make a short tax year election if no assets, other than exempt property, are in the bankruptcy estate.
Making the Election - Filing Requirements
First short tax year.
The debtor can elect to end the debtor's tax year by filing a return on Form 1040 for the first short tax year. The
return must be filed on or before the 15th day of the fourth full month after the end of that first tax year.
Second short tax year.
If the debtor elects to end the tax year on the day before filing the bankruptcy case, the debtor must file the return
for the first short tax year in the manner discussed above.
If the debtor makes this election, the debtor must also file a separate Form 1040 for the second short tax year by
the regular due date. To avoid delays in processing the return, write “
Second Short Year Return After Section 1398 Election” at the top of the return.
Example.
Jane Doe, an individual calendar year taxpayer, filed a bankruptcy petition under chapter 7 or 11 on May 8, 2012. If Jane
elected to close her tax year at the commencement of her case, Jane's first short year for 2012 runs from January 1 through
May 7, 2012. Jane's second short year runs from May 8, 2012, through December 31, 2012. To have a timely filed election for
the first short year, Jane must file Form 1040 (or an extension of time to file) for the period January 1 through May 7 by
September 15.
To avoid delays in processing the return, write “Section 1398 Election” at the top of the return. The debtor may also make the election by attaching a statement to Form 4868, Automatic Extension
of Time to File an U.S. Individual Tax Return. The statement must state that the debtor elects under IRC section 1398(d)(2)
to close the debtor's tax year on the day before filing the bankruptcy case. The debtor must file Form 4868 by the due date
of the return for the first short tax year. The debtor's spouse may also elect to close his or her tax year, see Election by debtor's spouse, below.
Election by debtor's spouse.
If the debtor is married, the debtor's spouse may join in the election to end the tax year. If the debtor and spouse
make a joint election, the debtor
must file a joint return for the first short tax year. The debtor must elect by the due date for filing the return for the first
short tax year. Once the election is made, it cannot be revoked for the first short tax year. However, the election does not
prevent the debtor and the spouse from filing separate returns for the second short tax year.
Later bankruptcy of spouse.
If the debtor's spouse files for bankruptcy later in the same year, he or she may also choose to end his or her tax
year, regardless of whether he or she joined in the election to end the debtor's tax year.
As each spouse has a separate bankruptcy, one or both of them may have 3 short tax years in the same calendar year.
If the debtor's spouse joined the debtor's election or if the debtor had not made the election to end the tax year, the debtor
can join in the spouse's election. However, if the debtor made an election and the spouse did not join that election, the
debtor cannot then join the spouse's later election. The debtor and the spouse are precluded from this election because they
have different tax years. This results because the debtor does not have a tax year ending the day before the spouse's filing
for bankruptcy, and the debtor cannot file a joint return for a year ending on the day before the spouse's filing of bankruptcy.
Example 1.
Paul and Mary Harris are calendar-year taxpayers. Paul's voluntary chapter 7 bankruptcy case begins on March 4.
If Paul does not make an election, his tax year does not end on March 3. If he makes an election, Paul's first tax year is
January 1–March 3, and his second tax year begins on March 4. Mary could join in Paul's election as long as they file a joint
return for the tax year January 1–March 3. They must make the election by July 15, the due date for filing the joint return.
Example 2.
Fred and Ethel Barnes are calendar-year taxpayers. Fred's voluntary chapter 7 bankruptcy case begins on May 6, and Ethel's
bankruptcy case begins on November 1 of the same year.
Ethel could elect to end her tax year on October 31. If Fred did not elect to end his tax year on May 5, or if he elected
to do so but Ethel had not joined in his election, Ethel would have 2 tax years in the same calendar year if she decided to
close her tax year. Her first tax year is January 1–October 31, and her second year is November 1–December 31.
If Fred did not end his tax year as of May 5, he could join in Ethel's election to close her tax year on October 31, but only
if they file a joint return for the tax year January 1–October 31.
If Fred elected to end his tax year on May 5, but Ethel did not join in Fred's election, Fred cannot join in Ethel's election
to end her tax year on October 31. Fred and Ethel cannot file a joint return for that short tax year because their tax years
preceding October 31 were not the same.
Example 3.
Jack and Karen Thomas are calendar-year taxpayers. Karen's voluntary chapter 7 bankruptcy case began on April 10, and Jack's
voluntary chapter 7 bankruptcy case began on October 3 of the same year. Karen elected to close her tax year on April 9 and
Jack joins in Karen's election.
Under these facts, Jack would have 3 tax years for the same calendar year if he makes the election relating to his own bankruptcy
case. The first tax year would be January 1–April 9; the second, April 10–October 2; and the third, October 3–December 31.
Karen may join in Jack's election if they file a joint return for the second short tax year (April 10–October 2). If Karen
does join in, she would have the same 3 short tax years as Jack. Also, if Karen joins in Jack's election, they may file a
joint return for the third tax year (October 3–December 31), but they are not required to do so.
Annualizing taxable income.
If the debtor elects to close the tax year, the debtor must annualize taxable income for each short tax year in the
same manner a change in annual accounting period is calculated. See
Short Tax Year in Publication 538, for information on how to annualize the debtor's income and to figure the tax for the short tax year.
Dismissal of bankruptcy case.
If the bankruptcy court later dismisses an individual chapter 7 or 11 case, the bankruptcy estate is no longer treated
as a separate taxable entity. It is as if no bankruptcy estate was created for tax purposes. In this situation, the debtor
must file amended tax returns on Form 1040X, to replace all full or short year individual returns (Form 1040) and bankruptcy
estate returns (Form 1041) filed as a result of the bankruptcy case. Income, deductions, and credits previously reported by
the bankruptcy estate must be reported on the debtor's amended returns. Attach a statement to the amended returns explaining
why the debtor is filing an amended return.
Taxes and the Bankruptcy Estate
Property of the bankruptcy estate.
At the commencement of a bankruptcy case a bankruptcy estate is created. Bankruptcy law determines which of the debtor's
assets become part of a bankruptcy estate. This estate generally includes all of the debtor's legal and equitable interests
in property as of the commencement date. However, there are exceptions and certain property is exempted or excluded from the
bankruptcy estate.
Note.
Exempt property and abandoned property are initially part of the bankruptcy estate, but are subsequently removed from the
estate. Excluded property is never included in the estate.
Transfer of assets between debtor and bankruptcy estate.
The transfer (other than by sale or exchange) of an asset from the debtor to the bankruptcy estate is not treated
as a disposition for income tax purposes. The transfer does not result in gain or loss, acceleration of income or deductions,
or recapture of deductions or credits. For example, the transfer of an installment obligation to the estate would not accelerate
gain under the rules for reporting installment sales. The estate assumes the same basis, holding period, and character of
the transferred assets. Also, the estate generally accounts for the transferred assets in the same manner as debtor.
When the bankruptcy estate is terminated or dissolved, any resulting transfer (other than by sale or exchange) of
the estate's assets back to the debtor is also not treated as a disposition for tax purposes. The transfer does not result
in gain or loss, acceleration of income or deductions, or recapture of deductions or credits to the estate.
Abandoned property.
The abandonment of property by the estate to the debtor is a nontaxable disposition of property. If the debtor received
abandoned property from the bankruptcy estate, the debtor assumes the same basis in the property that the bankruptcy estate
had.
Separate taxable entity.
When an individual files a bankruptcy petition under chapter 7 or 11, the bankruptcy estate is treated as a separate
taxable entity from the debtor. The court appointed trustee or the debtor-in-possession is responsible for preparing and filing
all of the bankruptcy estate's tax returns, including its income tax return on Form 1041, U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates
and Trusts, and paying its taxes. The debtor remains responsible for filing his or her own returns on Form 1040, U.S. Individual
Income Tax Return, and paying taxes on income that does not belong to the estate.
Employer identification number.
The trustee or debtor-in-possession must obtain an EIN for a bankruptcy estate. The trustee or debtor-in-possession
uses this EIN on all tax returns filed for the bankruptcy estate with the IRS, including estimated tax returns. See
Employer identification number, under Bankruptcy Estate Tax Return Filing Requirements and Payment of Tax Due, later.
The social security number of the individual debtor cannot be used as the EIN for the bankruptcy estate.
Income, deductions, and credits – Form 1040.
In an individual chapter 7 or 11 bankruptcy case, do not include the income, deductions, and credits that belong to
the bankruptcy estate on the debtor's individual income tax return (Form 1040). Also, do not include as income on the debtor's
return the amount of any debt canceled by reason of the bankruptcy discharge. The bankruptcy estate must reduce certain losses,
credits, and the basis in property (to the extent of these items) by the amount of canceled debt. See
Debt Cancellation, below.
Note.
The debtor may not be able to claim certain deductions available to the bankruptcy estate such as administrative expenses.
Additionally, the bankruptcy exclusion cannot be used to exclude income from a cancelled debt if the discharge of indebtedness
was not within the bankruptcy case, even though the debtor was under the bankruptcy court's protection at the time. However,
other exclusions, such as the insolvency exclusion, may apply.
Bankruptcy Estate – Income, Deductions, and Credits
Income of the estate in individual chapter 7 cases.
The gross income of the bankruptcy estate includes gross income of the debtor to which the estate is entitled under
the Bankruptcy Code. Gross income also includes income generated by the bankruptcy estate from property of the estate after
the commencement of the case.
Gross income of the bankruptcy estate does not include amounts received or accrued by the debtor
before the commencement of the case. Additionally, in chapter 7 cases, gross income of the bankruptcy estate does not include any
income that the debtor earns
after the date of the bankruptcy petition.
Income of the estate in individual chapter 11 cases.
In chapter 11 cases, under IRC section 1398(e)(1), gross income of the bankruptcy estate includes income that the
debtor earns for services performed after the bankruptcy petition date. Also, earnings from services performed by an individual
debtor after the commencement of the chapter 11 case are property of the bankruptcy estate under section 1115 of the Bankruptcy
Code (11 U.S.C. section 1115).
Note.
A debtor-in-possession may be compensated by the estate for managing or operating a trade or business that the debtor conducted
before the commencement of the bankruptcy case. Such payments should be reported by the debtor as miscellaneous income on
his or her individual income tax return (Form 1040).
Amounts paid by the estate to the debtor-in-possession for managing or operating the trade or business may qualify as administrative
expenses of the estate. See Administrative expenses, below.
Conversion or dismissal of chapter 11 cases.
If a chapter 11 case is converted to a chapter 13 case, the chapter 13 estate is not a separate taxable entity and
earnings from post-conversion services and income from property of the estate realized after the conversion to chapter 13
are taxed to the debtor. If the chapter 11 case is converted to a chapter 7 case, 11 U.S.C. section 1115 does not apply after
conversion and:
-
Earnings from post-conversion services will be taxed to the debtor, rather than the estate, and
-
The property of the chapter 11 estate will become property of the chapter 7 estate.
Any income on this property will be taxed to the estate even if the income is realized after the conversion to chapter 7.
If a chapter 11 case is dismissed, the debtor is treated as if the bankruptcy case had never been filed and as if no bankruptcy
estate had been created.
Bankruptcy Estate Deductions and Credits
A bankruptcy estate deducts expenses incurred in a trade, business, or activity, and uses credits in the same way the debtor
would have deducted or credited them had he or she continued operations.
Note.
Expenses may be disallowed under other provisions of the IRC (such as the disallowance of certain capital expenditures or
expenses relating to tax-exempt interest).
Administrative expenses.
Allowable expenses include administrative expenses.
Administrative expenses can only be deducted by the estate, never by the debtor.
The bankruptcy estate is allowed deductions for bankruptcy administrative expenses and fees, including accounting
fees, attorney fees, and court costs. These expenses are deductible on Form 1040, Schedule A as miscellaneous itemized deductions
not subject to the 2% floor on miscellaneous itemized deductions, because they would not have been incurred if property had not
been held by the bankruptcy estate. See IRC section 67(e). Administrative expenses of the bankruptcy estate attributable to
conducting a trade or business for the production of estate rents or royalties are deductible in arriving at adjusted gross
income on Form 1040, Schedules C, E, and F.
Note.
The bankruptcy estate uses Form 1041 as a transmittal for the tax return prepared using Form 1040 and its schedules. See Transmittal for Form 1040 under Tax Return Filing Requirements and Payment of Tax, later.
Administrative expense loss.
If the administrative expenses of the bankruptcy estate are more than its gross income for a tax year, the excess
amount may be carried back 3 years and forward 7 years. The amounts can only be carried to a tax year of the estate and never
to a debtor's tax year. The excess amount to be carried back or forward is treated like a net operating loss (NOL) and must
first be carried back to the earliest year possible. For a discussion of NOLs, see Publication 536.
Attribute carryovers.
The bankruptcy estate may use its tax attributes the same way that the debtor would have used them. These items are
determined as of the first day of the debtor's tax year in which the bankruptcy case begins. The bankruptcy estate assumes
the following tax attributes from the debtor:
-
NOL carryovers,
-
Carryovers of excess charitable contributions,
-
Recovery of tax benefit items,
-
Credit carryovers,
-
Capital loss carryovers,
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Basis, holding period, and character of assets,
-
Method of accounting,
-
Passive activity loss and credit carryovers,
-
Unused at-risk deductions, and
-
Other tax attributes provided in the regulations.
Certain tax attributes of the bankruptcy estate must be reduced by the amount of income that was previously excluded
as a result of cancellation of debt during the bankruptcy proceeding. See
Debt Cancellation, later.
When the bankruptcy estate is terminated (for example, when the case ends), the debtor assumes any remaining tax attributes
previously taken over by the bankruptcy estate. The debtor also generally assumes any of the tax attributes, listed above,
that arose during the administration of the bankruptcy estate.
Note.
The debtor does not assume the bankruptcy estate's administrative expense losses because they cannot be used by an individual
taxpayer filing Form 1040. See Administrative expense loss, above.
Passive and at-risk activities.
For bankruptcy cases beginning after November 8, 1992, passive activity carryover losses and credits and unused at-risk
deductions are treated as tax attributes passing from the debtor to the bankruptcy estate, which the estate then passes back
to the debtor when the bankruptcy estate terminates. Additionally, transfers to the debtor (other than by sale or exchange)
of interests in passive or at-risk activities are treated as non-taxable exchanges. These transfers include the return of
exempt property and abandonment of estate property to the debtor.
Carrybacks from the debtor's activities.
The debtor cannot carry back any NOL or credit carryback from a tax year ending after the bankruptcy case has begun
to any tax year ending before the case began.
Carrybacks from the bankruptcy estate.
If the bankruptcy estate has an NOL that did not pass to the estate from the debtor under the attribute carryover
rules, the estate can carry the loss back not only to its own earlier tax years but also to the debtor's tax years before
the year the bankruptcy case began. The estate may also carry back excess credits, such as the general business credit, to
the pre-bankruptcy tax years.
Tax Reporting – Chapter 11 Cases
Allocation of income and credits on information returns and required statement for returns for individual chapter 11 cases.
In chapter 11 cases, when an employer issues a Form W-2 reporting all of the debtor's wages, salary, or other compensation
for a calendar year, and a portion of the earnings represent post-petition services includible in the estate's gross income,
the Form W-2 amounts
must be allocated between the estate and the debtor. The debtor-in-possession or trustee must allocate the income amount reported
in box 1 and the income tax withheld reported in box 2 between the debtor and the estate. These allocations must reflect that
the debtor's gross earnings from post-petition services and gross income from post-petition property are, generally, includible
in the estate's gross income and not the debtor's gross income. The debtor and trustee may use a simple percentage method
to allocate income and income tax withheld. The same method must be used to allocate the income and the withheld tax.
Example.
If 20% of the wages reported on Form W-2 for a calendar year were earned after the commencement of the case and are included
in the estate's gross income, 20% of the withheld income tax reported on Form W-2 must also be claimed as a credit on the
estate's income tax return. Likewise, 80% of wages must be reported by the debtor and 80% of the income tax withheld must
be claimed as a credit on the debtor's income tax return. See IRC section 31(a).
If information returns are issued to the debtor for gross income, gross proceeds, or other reportable payments that
should have been reported to the bankruptcy estate, the debtor-in-possession or trustee must allocate the improperly reported
income in a reasonable manner between the debtor and the estate. In general, the allocation must ensure that any income and
income tax withheld attributable to the post-petition period is reported on the estate's return, and any income and income
tax withheld attributable to the pre-petition period is reported on the debtor's return.
IRS Notice 2006-83 requires the debtor to attach a statement to his or her individual income tax return (Form 1040)
stating that the return is filed subject to a chapter 11 bankruptcy case. The statement must also:
-
Show the allocations of income and income tax withheld,
-
Describe the method used to allocate income and income tax withheld, and
-
List the filing date of the bankruptcy case, the bankruptcy court in which the case is pending, the bankruptcy court case
number, and the bankruptcy estate's EIN.
Note.
The debtor-in-possession or trustee must attach a similar statement to the bankruptcy estate's income tax return (Form 1041).
The model Notice 2006-83 Statement, shown above, may be used by debtors, debtors-in-possession, and trustees to satisfy
the reporting requirement.
Self-employment taxes in individual chapter 11 cases.
IRC section 1401 imposes a tax upon the self-employment income, that is, the net earnings from self-employment of
an individual. Net earnings from self-employment are equal to the gross income derived by an individual from any trade or
business carried on by such individual, less deductions attributable to the business.
Neither section 1115 of the Bankruptcy Code nor IRC section 1398 addresses the application of self-employment tax
to the post-petition earnings of the individual debtor. Therefore, if the debtor continues to derive gross income from the
performance of services as a self-employed individual after the commencement of the bankruptcy case, the debtor must continue
to report the debtor's self-employment income on Schedule SE (Form 1040) of the debtor's income tax return. This schedule
includes self-employment income earned post-petition and the attributable deductions. The debtor must pay any self-employment
tax imposed by IRC section 1401.
Employment taxes and employer's obligation to file Form W-2 in individual chapter 11 cases.
In chapter 11 cases, post-petition wages earned by a debtor are generally treated as gross income of the estate. However,
section 1115 of the Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. section 1115) does not affect the determination of what are deemed wages for
Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax, Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) tax, or Federal Income Tax Withholding
purposes. See Notice 2006-83.
The reporting and withholding obligations of a debtor's employer also do not change. An employer should continue to
report the wages and tax withholding on a Form W-2 issued under the debtor's name and social security number.
Notice to persons required to file information returns (other than Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement) in individual chapter
11 cases.
Within a reasonable time after the commencement of a chapter 11 bankruptcy case, the trustee or debtor-in-possession
should provide notification of the bankruptcy estate's EIN to all persons (or entities) that are required to file information
returns for the bankruptcy estate's gross income, gross proceeds, or other types of reportable payments. See IRC section 6109(a)(2).
As these payments are the property of the estate under section 1115 of the Bankruptcy Code, the payors should report the gross
income, gross proceeds, or other reportable payments on the appropriate information return using the estate's name and EIN
as required under the IRC and regulations (see IRC sections 6041 through 6049).
The trustee or debtor-in-possession should not, however, provide the EIN to a person (or entity) filing Form W-2 reporting
the debtor's wages or other compensation, as section 1115 of the Bankruptcy Code does not affect the determination of what
constitutes wages for purposes of federal income tax withholding or FICA. See Notice 2006-83. An employer should continue
to report all wage income and tax withholding, both pre-petition and post-petition, on a Form W-2 to the debtor under the
debtor's social security number.
The debtor in a chapter 11 case is not required to file a new Form W-4 with an employer solely because the debtor
filed a chapter 11 case and the post-petition wages are includible in the estate's income and not the debtor's income. However,
a new Form W-4 may be necessary if the debtor is no longer entitled to claim the same number of allowances previously claimed
because certain deductions or credits now belong to the estate. See Employment Tax Regulations section 31.3402(f)(2)-1. Additionally,
the debtor may wish to file a new Form W-4 to increase the income tax withheld from post-petition wages allocated to the estate
to avoid having to make estimated tax payments for the estate. See IRC section 6654(a).
Notice required in converted and dismissed cases.
When a chapter 11 bankruptcy case is closed, dismissed, or converted to a chapter 12 or 13 case, the bankruptcy estate
ends as a separate taxable entity. The debtor should, within a reasonable time, send notice of such event to the persons (or
entities) previously notified of the bankruptcy case. This helps to ensure that gross income, proceeds, and other reportable
payments realized after the event are reported to the debtor under the correct TIN rather than to the estate.
When a chapter 11 case is converted to a chapter 7 case, the bankruptcy estate will continue to exist as a separate
taxable entity. Gross income (other than post-conversion income from the debtor's services), gross proceeds, or other reportable
payments should continue to be reported to the estate if they are property of the chapter 7 estate. However, income from services
performed by the debtor after conversion of the case to chapter 7 is not property of the chapter 7 estate. After the conversion,
the debtor should notify payors required to report the debtor's nonemployee compensation that compensation earned after the
conversion should be reported using the debtor's name and TIN, not the estate's name and EIN.
Employment taxes.
The trustee or debtor-in-possession must withhold income and social security taxes and file employment tax returns
for any wages paid by the trustee or debtor, including wage claims paid as administrative expenses. See Publication 15, Circular
E, Employer's Tax Guide, for details on employer tax responsibilities.
The trustee also has the duty to prepare and file Forms W-2 for wage claims paid by the trustee, regardless of whether
the claims accrued before or during bankruptcy. For a further discussion of employment taxes, see
Employment Taxes, later.
Bankruptcy Estate Tax Return Filing Requirements and Payment of Tax Due
Filing threshold.
If the bankruptcy estate has gross income that meets or exceeds the minimum amount required for filing, the trustee
or debtor-in-possession must file an income tax return on Form 1041. This amount is equal to the sum of the personal exemption
amount plus the basic standard deduction for a
married individual filing separately.
For 2012, the threshold filing amount for a bankruptcy estate is $9,750 (the sum of the $3,800 personal exemption
plus the $5,950 standard deduction for married individuals filing separately).
These amounts are generally adjusted annually. See the present year Form 1041 Instructions at
www.irs.gov/form1041 for the current dollar amounts.
Accounting period.
A bankruptcy estate may have a fiscal year. However, this period cannot be longer than 12 months.
Change of accounting period.
The bankruptcy estate may change its accounting period (tax year) once without IRS approval. This rule allows the
bankruptcy trustee to close the estate's tax year early, before the expected termination of the bankruptcy estate. The trustee
can then file a return for the first short tax year to get a quick determination of the estate's tax liability.
Employer identification number.
The trustee or debtor-in-possession must obtain an EIN for a bankruptcy estate. The trustee or debtor-in-possession
uses this EIN on all tax returns filed for the bankruptcy estate with the IRS, including estimated tax returns.
The social security number of the individual debtor cannot be used as the EIN for the bankruptcy estate.
Obtain an EIN for a bankruptcy estate by applying:
-
Online by clicking on the EIN link at www.irs.gov/businesses/small. The EIN is issued immediately once the application information is validated.
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By telephone at 1-800-829-4933 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the trustee's or debtor-in-possession's local time zone. Assistance
provided to callers from Alaska and Hawaii will be based on the hours of operation in the Pacific time zone, or
-
By mailing or faxing Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number.
If the trustee or debtor-in-possession has not received the bankruptcy estate's EIN by the time the return is due,
write “
Applied for” and the date you applied in the space for the EIN. For more details, see Pub. 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records.
Trustees representing ten or more bankruptcy estates (other than estates that will be filing employment or excise
tax returns) may request a series or block of EINs.
Figuring tax due.
The bankruptcy estate figures its taxable income the same way an individual figures taxable income. However, the estate
uses the tax rates for a
married individual filing separately to calculate the tax on its taxable income. The estate is entitled to one personal exemption and may either itemize deductions
or take the basic standard deduction for a married individual filing a separate return. The estate cannot take the higher
standard deduction allowed for married persons filing separately who are 65 or older or blind.
Tax rate schedule.The tax on income for bankruptcy estates is calculated using the tax rate schedule for Married Individuals Filing Separately
not the Estates and Trusts tax rate schedule.
When to file.
Calendar year bankruptcy estates must file Form 1041 by April 15th. Fiscal year bankruptcy estates must file on or
before the 15th day of the 4th month following the close of its tax year. For example, an estate that has a tax year that
ends on June 30th must file Form 1041 by October 15th of the tax year. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal
holiday, file on the next business day.
Note.
The bankruptcy estate is allowed an automatic 6-month extension of time to file the bankruptcy estate tax return upon filing
the required application, Form 7004, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File Certain Business Income Tax, Information,
and Other Returns.
Transmittal for Form 1040.
Form 1041 is used as a
transmittal
for Form 1040. If a return is required, the trustee or debtor-in-possession must complete the identification area at the
top of Form 1041 and indicate the chapter under which the bankruptcy estate filed, either chapter 7 or chapter 11.
Prepare the bankruptcy estate's return by completing Form 1040. In the top margin of Form 1040, write “
Attachment to Form 1041 —DO NOT DETACH.
” Then, attach Form 1040 to the Form 1041 transmittal. Enter the tax and payment amounts on lines 23 through 29 of Form 1041,
then sign and date the return. An example of a bankruptcy estate's tax return is prepared below.
Note.
The filing of the bankruptcy estate's tax return does not relieve a debtor from the requirement to file his or her individual
tax return on Form 1040.
Payment methods.
Payment of tax due may be made by check or money order or by credit or debit card. For information on how to make
payments electronically by credit or debit card, go to
irs.gov/e-pay.
Payments may also be made electronically using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), a free tax payment
system that allows you to make payments online or by phone. To enroll in EFTPS, go to
eftps.gov or call 1-800-555-4477. For more information see Publication 966, Electronic Federal Tax Payment System: A Guide to Getting
Started.
Payment voucher – Form 1041-V.
Form 1041-V accompanies payments made by check or money order for Form 1041. The voucher includes information about
the bankruptcy estate, including the name of the bankruptcy estate, trustee, EIN, and amount due. Using Form 1041-V assists
the IRS in processing the payment more accurately and efficiently. We recommend the use of Form 1041-V; however, there is
no penalty if the voucher is not used.
Estimated tax – Form 1041-ES.
In most cases, the trustee or debtor-in-possession
must pay any required estimated tax due for the bankruptcy estate. See the Form 1041-ES Instructions for information on the minimum
threshold amount required for filing Form 1041-ES, paying the estimated tax, and exceptions to filing.
The trustee or debtor-in-possession must withhold income and social security taxes and file employment tax returns for any
wages paid by the trustee or debtor, including wage claims paid as administrative expenses. Until these employment taxes are
deposited as required by the IRC, they should be set aside in a separate bank account to ensure that funds are available to
satisfy the liability. If the employment taxes are not paid as required, the trustee may be held personally liable for payment
of the taxes.
See Publication 15, (Circular E), Employer's Tax Guide, for details on employer tax responsibilities. Also see IRS Notice
931, Deposit Requirements for Employment Taxes, for details on the deposit rules, including the requirement that federal employment
tax deposits be made by electronic funds transfer.
The trustee also has a duty to prepare and file Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, for wage claims paid by the trustee, regardless
of whether the claims accrued before or during bankruptcy. If the debtor fails to prepare and file Forms W-2 for wages paid
before bankruptcy, the trustee should instruct the employees to file a Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement,
or Form 1099-R, Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc.,
with their individual income tax returns.
Tax Return Example – Form 1041
This publication is not revised annually. Future changes to the forms and their instructions may not be reflected in this
example.
Note.
The following return was prepared for tax year 2011. In 2011, the threshold filing amount for a bankruptcy estate was $9,500
(the sum of the $3,700 personal exemption plus the $5,800 standard deduction for married individuals filing separately).
Facts and circumstances.
On December 15, 2010, Thomas Smith filed a bankruptcy petition under chapter 7. Joan Black was appointed trustee to
administer the bankruptcy estate and to distribute the assets.
The estate received the following assets from Mr. Smith:
-
A $100,000 certificate of deposit,
-
Commercial rental real estate with a fair market value (FMV) of $280,000, and
-
His personal residence with an FMV of $200,000.
Also, the estate received a $251,500 capital loss carryover.
Mr. Smith's bankruptcy case was closed on December 31, 2011. During 2011, Mr. Smith was relieved of $70,000 of debt
by the bankruptcy court. The estate chose a calendar year as its tax year. Joan, the trustee, reviews the estate's transactions
and reports the taxable events on the estate's final return.
Schedule B (Form 1040).
The certificate of deposit earned $5,500 of interest during 2011. Joan reports this interest on Schedule B. She completes
this schedule and enters the result on Form 1040.
Form 4562.
Joan enters the depreciation allowed on Form 4562. She completes the form and enters the result on Schedule E.
Schedule E (Form 1040).
The commercial real estate was rented through the date of sale. Joan reports the income and expenses on Schedule E.
She enters the net income on Form 1040.
Form 4797.
The commercial real estate was sold on July 1, 2011, for $280,000. The property was purchased in 2001 at a cost of
$250,000. The total depreciation allowable as of the date of sale was $120,000. Additionally, $25,000 of selling expenses
were incurred. Joan reports the gain or loss from the sale on Form 4797. She completes the form and enters the gain on Schedule
D (Form 1040).
Mr. Smith's former residence was sold on September 30, 2011. The sale price was $200,000, the selling expenses were
$20,000, and his adjusted basis was $130,000. This sale is excluded from gross income under IRC section 121.
Note.
Gains from the sale of personal residences are excluded from gross income up to $250,000 under IRC section 121 ($500,000 for
married couples filing a joint return). Bankruptcy estates succeed to this exclusion at the commencement of the case. See
Regulation section 1.1398-3.
Schedule D (Form 1040).
Joan completes Schedule D, taking into account the $250,000 capital loss carryover from 2010 ($251,500 transferred
to the estate minus $1,500 used on the estate's 2010 return). She enters the results on Form 1040.
Form 1040, page 1.
Joan completes page 1 of the Form 1040 and enters the adjusted gross income on the first line of Form 1040, page 2.
Schedule A (Form 1040).
During 2011, the estate paid mortgage interest and real property tax on Mr. Smith's former residence. It also paid
income tax to the state. Joan enters the mortgage interest, real estate tax, and income tax on Schedule A. Also, she reports
the bankruptcy estate's administrative expenses as a miscellaneous deduction
not subject to the 2% floor on miscellaneous itemized deductions. She completes the Schedule A and enters the result on page
2 of Form 1040.
Form 1040, page 2.
Joan determines the estate's taxable income and figures its tax using the tax rate schedule for married filing separately.
She then enters the estate's estimated tax payments and figures the amount the estate still owes.
Form 982.
Joan completes the
Schedule D Tax Worksheet to figure the capital loss carryover. Because $70,000 of debt was canceled, Joan must reduce the tax attributes of the estate
by the amount of the canceled debt. See
Debt Cancellation, later. After the bankruptcy case ends, Mr. Smith will assume the estate's tax attributes. Mr. Smith will assume a capital
loss carryover of $53,500 ($123,500 carryover minus the $70,000 attribute reduction) for use in preparation of his individual
tax return (Form 1040).
Note.
If the bankruptcy estate had continued, the capital loss carryover would be available to the bankruptcy estate for the 2012
tax year.
Form 1041.
Joan enters the total tax, estimated tax payments, and tax due from Form 1040 on Form 1041. She completes the identification
area at the top of Form 1041, then signs and dates the return as the trustee on behalf of the bankruptcy estate.
Capital Loss Carryover Worksheet—Lines 6 and 14
|
Use this worksheet to figure your capital loss carryovers from 2010 to 2011 if your 2010 Schedule D, line 21, is a loss and
(a) that loss is a smaller loss than the loss on your 2010 Schedule D, line 16, or (b) the amount on your 2010 Form 1040, line 41 (or your 2010 Form 1040NR, line 38, if applicable) is less than zero. Otherwise,
you do not have any carryovers.
|
| 1. |
Enter the amount from your 2010 Form 1040, line 41, or Form 1040NR, line 38. If a loss, enclose the amount in parentheses |
1. |
19,880 |
|
| 2. |
Enter the loss from your 2010 Schedule D, line 21, as a positive amount |
2. |
1,500 |
|
| 3. |
Combine lines 1 and 2. If zero or less, enter -0- |
3. |
21,380 |
|
| 4. |
Enter the smaller of line 2 or line 3
|
4. |
1,500 |
|
| |
If line 7 of your 2010 Schedule D is a loss, go to line 5; otherwise, enter -0- on line 5 and go to line 9. |
|
|
|
| 5. |
Enter the loss from your 2010 Schedule D, line 7, as a positive amount |
5. |
0 |
|
| 6. |
Enter any gain from your 2010 Schedule D, line 15. If a loss, enter -0- |
6. |
|
|
|
|
| 7. |
Add lines 4 and 6 |
7. |
1,500 |
|
| 8. |
Short-term capital loss carryover for 2011. Subtract line 7 from line 5. If zero or less, enter -0-. If more than zero, also enter this amount on Schedule D, line 6
|
8. |
0 |
|
| |
If line 15 of your 2010 Schedule D is a loss, go to line 9; otherwise, skip lines 9 through 13. |
|
|
|
| 9. |
Enter the loss from your 2010 Schedule D, line 15, as a positive amount |
9. |
251,500 |
|
| 10. |
Enter any gain from your 2010 Schedule D, line 7. If a loss, enter -0- |
10. |
0 |
|
|
|
| 11. |
Subtract line 5 from line 4. If zero or less, enter -0- |
11. |
1,500 |
|
|
|
| 12. |
Add lines 10 and 11 |
12. |
1,500 |
|
| 13. |
Long-term capital loss carryover for 2011. Subtract line 12 from line 9. If zero or less, enter -0-. If more than zero, also enter this amount on Schedule D, line 14
|
13. |
250,000 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Partnerships and Corporations
A separate taxable estate is not created when a partnership or corporation files a bankruptcy petition and their tax return
filing requirements do not change. The debtor-in-possession, court appointed trustee, assignee, or receiver must file the
entity's income tax returns on Form 1065, Form 1120 or, Form 1120S.
In cases where a trustee or receiver is not appointed, the debtor-in-possession continues business operations and remains
in possession of the business' property during the bankruptcy proceeding. The debtor-in-possession, rather than the general
partner of a partnership or corporate officer of a corporation, assumes the fiduciary responsibility to file the business'
tax returns.
The filing requirements for a partnership in a bankruptcy proceeding do not change. However, the responsibility to file the
required returns becomes that of the court appointed trustee, receiver, or debtor-in-possession.
A partnership's debt that is canceled as a result of the bankruptcy proceeding is not included in the partnership's income.
However, It may or may not be included in the individual partners' income. See Partnerships, below under Debt Cancellation.
The filing requirements for a corporation in a bankruptcy proceeding also do not change. A bankruptcy trustee, receiver, or
debtor-in-possession, having possession of or holding title to substantially all of the property or business operations of
the debtor corporation, must file the debtor's corporate income tax return for the tax year.
The following discussion only highlights bankruptcy tax rules applying to corporations. The complex details of corporate bankruptcy
reorganizations are beyond the scope of this publication. Therefore, you may wish to seek the help of a professional tax advisor.
See Corporations under Debt Cancellation for information about a corporation's debt canceled in a bankruptcy proceeding.
The tax-free reorganization provisions of the Internal Revenue Code allow a corporation to transfer all or part of its assets
to another corporation in a bankruptcy under title 11 of the United States Code or in a similar case. However, under the reorganization
plan, the stock or securities of the corporation to which the assets are transferred must be distributed in a transaction
that qualifies under IRC section 354, 355, or 356.
A “similar case” includes a receivership, foreclosure, or other similar proceeding in a federal or state court. In these cases, any party
to the reorganization must be under the jurisdiction of the court and the transfer of assets under the plan of reorganization
must be approved by the court. In a receivership, foreclosure, or similar proceeding before a federal or state agency involving
certain financial institutions, the agency is treated as a court.
Generally, IRC section 354 provides that no gain or loss is recognized if a corporation's stock is exchanged solely for stock
or securities in a corporation that is a party to the reorganization under a qualifying reorganization plan. In this case,
shareholders in the bankrupt corporation would recognize no gain or loss if they exchange their stock solely for stock or
securities of the corporation acquiring the bankrupt corporation's assets.
IRC section 355 generally provides that no gain or loss is recognized by a shareholder if a corporation distributes solely
stock or securities of another corporation that the distributing corporation controls immediately before the distribution.
IRC section 356 allows tax-free exchanges in situations that would qualify under IRC section 354 or 355, except that other
property or money, in addition to the permitted stock or securities, is received by the shareholder. In this situation, gain
is recognized by the shareholder, but only to the extent of the money and the FMV of the other property received. No loss
is recognized in this situation.
Exemption from tax return filing
A trustee, receiver, or assignee of a corporation in bankruptcy, receivership, or in the process of dissolving, may apply
to the IRS for relief from filing federal income tax returns for the corporation. To qualify, the corporation must have ceased
business operations and have no assets nor income for the tax year. The exemption request must be submitted to the local IRS
Insolvency Office handling the case.
The request to the IRS must include the name, address, and EIN of the corporation and a statement of the facts (with any supporting
documents) showing why the debtor needs relief from the filing requirements. The request must also include the following statement:
“I hereby request relief from filing federal income tax returns for tax years ending _____ for the above-named corporation
and declare under penalties of perjury that to the best of my knowledge and belief the information contained herein is correct.”
The statement must be signed by the trustee, receiver or assignee. The statement must also include notice of appointment to
act on behalf of the corporation (this is not required for bankruptcy trustees or debtors-in-possession). The IRS will act
on your request within 90 days.
Disclosure of return information to trustee.
Upon written request, current and earlier returns of the debtor are open to inspection by or disclosure to the trustee
or receiver. However, in bankruptcy cases other than those of individuals filing under chapter 7 or 11, such as a corporate
bankruptcy, the IRS must find that the trustee has a material interest that will be affected by information on the return.
Material interest is generally defined as a financial or monetary interest. Material interest is not limited to the trustee's
responsibility to file a return on behalf of the bankruptcy estate.
Court-established receiverships sometimes arise in connection with bankruptcies. Certain court-established receiverships
should be treated as qualified settlement funds ("QSFs") for purposes of IRC section 468B and the underlying Treasury Regulations.
QSFs are required to file an annual income tax return, Form 1120-SF, U.S. Income Tax Return for Settlement Funds. More information
about QSFs may be found in Treasury Regulation sections 1.468B-1 through -5.
The determination of the proper amount of tax due for a tax year begins with the bankruptcy estate's filing of Form 1041,
and the individual debtor's filing of Form 1040, or for bankrupt entities filing Forms 1065, 1120, or 1120S. After a return
is filed, the IRS will either accept the return as filed or select the return for examination. Under examination the IRS may
redetermine the tax liability shown on the return. If the bankruptcy estate or debtor disagrees with the redetermined tax
due, the tax as redetermined by the IRS may be contested in the bankruptcy court, or Tax Court, as applicable. See Court Jurisdiction over Tax Matters, later.
Prompt Determination Requests
Pursuant to Rev. Proc. 2006-24, 2006-22 I.R.B. 943, www.irs.gov/irb/2006-22_IRB/ar12, as modified by Announcement 2011-77, www.irs.gov/irb/2011-51_IRB/ar13, the bankruptcy trustee may request a determination of any unpaid tax liability incurred by the bankruptcy estate during
the administration of the case, by filing a tax return and a request for such determination with the IRS. Unless the return
is fraudulent or contains a material misrepresentation, the estate, trustee, debtor, and any successor to the debtor are discharged
from liability upon payment of the tax:
-
As determined by the IRS,
-
As determined by the bankruptcy court, after completion of the IRS examination, or
-
As shown on the return, if the IRS does not:
-
Notify the trustee within 60 days after the request for determination that the return has been selected for examination, or
-
Complete the examination and notify the trustee of any tax due within 180 days after the request (or any additional time permitted
by the bankruptcy court).
Making the request for determination.
As detailed in Rev. Proc. 2006-24, as modified by Announcement 2011-77, to request a prompt determination of any unpaid
tax liability of the estate, the trustee must file a signed written request, in duplicate, with the Internal Revenue Service,
Centralized Insolvency Operation, P.O. Box 7346, Philadelphia, PA 19101–7346 (marked “
Request for Prompt Determination”).
The request must be submitted in duplicate and must be executed under penalties of perjury. In addition, the trustee
must submit along with the request an exact copy of the return(s) filed by the trustee with the IRS for each completed tax
period. The request must contain the following information:
-
A statement indicating that it is a Request for Prompt Determination of Tax Liability, specifying the type of return and tax
period for each return being filed.
-
The name and location of the office where the return was filed.
-
The name of the debtor.
-
Debtor's social security number, TIN, or EIN.
-
Type of bankruptcy estate.
-
Bankruptcy case number.
-
Court where the bankruptcy case is pending.
The copy of the return(s) submitted with the request
must be an exact copy of a valid return. A request for prompt determination will be considered incomplete and returned to the
trustee if it is filed with a copy of a document that does not qualify as a valid return.
To qualify as valid, a return must meet certain criteria, including a signature under penalties of perjury. A document filed
by the trustee with the jurat stricken, deleted, or modified will not qualify as a valid return.
Examination of return.
The IRS will notify the trustee within 60 days from receipt of the request whether the return filed by the trustee
has been selected for examination or has been accepted as filed. If the return is selected for examination, it will be examined
as soon as possible. The IRS will notify the trustee of any tax due within 180 days from receipt of the application or within
any additional time permitted by the bankruptcy court.
If a prompt determination request is incomplete, all the documents received by the IRS will be returned to the trustee
by the assigned Field Insolvency Office with an explanation identifying the missing item(s) and instructions to re-file the
request once corrected.
Once corrected, the request
must be filed with the IRS at the Field Insolvency Office address specified in the correspondence accompanying the returned incomplete
request.
In the case of an incomplete request submitted with a copy of an invalid return document, the trustee must file a
valid original return with the appropriate IRS office and submit a copy of that return with the corrected request when the
request is re-filed.
Note.
An incomplete request includes those submitted with a copy of a return form, the original of which does not qualify as a valid
return.
The 60-day period to notify the trustee whether the return is accepted as filed or has been selected for examination
does not begin to run until a complete request package is received by the IRS. The compete request package must be filed with
the Field Insolvency Office specified by the IRS in its correspondence returning the incomplete request for the 60-day period
to begin to run.
If the IRS does select the estate's return for examination and redetermines the tax shown on the return, the trustee
may contest the IRS's determination in bankruptcy court. See
Bankruptcy Court, below.
Assessment of tax.
Assessment is the statutorily required recording of a tax liability. During a bankruptcy case, the IRS may make an
assessment of tax due and issue a notice and demand for payment. This grant of authority is a specific exception to the “
automatic stay” rules discussed below.
Accordingly, after the correct amount of tax is determined by the IRS, bankruptcy court, or Tax Court, the IRS may
assess the tax due against the bankruptcy estate and issue a notice and demand for payment.
Automatic stay.
When the debtor files a petition with the bankruptcy court, the debtor receives the protection of the automatic stay.
The automatic stay arises as a matter of law and with certain exceptions suspends most collection activity.
Note.
The stay against property of the estate does not end (as long as the property is in the estate) unless the stay is lifted
(removed).
The automatic stay prohibits acts to collect taxes that arose before the bankruptcy filing. IRS collection actions
such as serving Notices of Federal Tax Lien or Levy are prohibited if they were intended to collect pre-bankruptcy debts or
property of the estate. The automatic stay also stops the commencement or continuation of civil actions, including certain
Tax Court cases. The automatic stay applies to all entities, including governmental units.
Generally, the automatic stay to collect taxes continues until either the bankruptcy court lifts the stay, the bankruptcy
case is closed or dismissed, or the debtor receives a discharge.
Exceptions to the automatic stay.
There are exceptions to the stay. For example, the automatic stay does not prohibit:
-
An audit to determine tax liability,
-
A demand for tax returns,
-
The issuance of a Notice of Deficiency, or
-
Assessing a tax and sending a notice and demand for payment.
Statute of limitations for collection.
In a bankruptcy case, the period of limitations for collection of tax (generally, 10 years from the date of assessment)
is suspended for the period during which the IRS is prohibited from collecting, plus 6 months thereafter.
Requests for refund or credit
If the debtor has already claimed a refund or credit for an overpayment of tax on a properly filed return or claim for refund,
the trustee may rely on that claim. However, if the credit or refund was not claimed by the debtor, the trustee may make the
request on behalf of the bankruptcy estate by filing the original or amended return or form with the Internal Revenue Service,
Centralized Insolvency Operation, P.O. Box 7346, Philadelphia, PA 19101-7346 (marked “Request for Prompt Refund” and accompanied
by a written statement explaining that the request is being submitted pursuant to section 505(a) of the Bankruptcy Code.
See Rev. Proc. 2010-27, as modified by Announcement 2011-77.
The appropriate form for the trustee to use in making the claim for refund is as follows:
-
For income taxes for which an individual debtor filed a Form 1040, Form 1040A, or Form 1040EZ, the trustee should use a Form
1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.
-
For income taxes for which a corporate debtor filed a Form 1120, the trustee should use a Form 1120X, Amended U.S. Corporation
Income Tax Return.
-
For income taxes for which a debtor filed a form other than Form 1040, Form 1040A, Form 1040EZ, or Form 1120, the trustee
should use the same type of form that the debtor had originally filed, and write “Amended Return” at the top of the form.
-
For taxes other than certain excise taxes or income taxes for which the debtor filed a return, the trustee should use a Form
843, Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement, and attach an exact copy of any return that is the subject of the claim along
with a statement of the name and location of the office where the return was filed.
-
For excise taxes reported on Forms 720, 730, or 2290, the trustee should use Form 8849, Claim for Refund of Excise Taxes,
or Form 720X, Amended Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return, as appropriate.
-
For overpayment of taxes of the bankruptcy estate incurred during the administration of the case, the trustee may use a properly executed tax return (for income taxes, a Form
1041) as a claim for refund or credit.
Once the IRS receives the trustee's claim for refund, it will examine the refund claim on an expedited basis and notify the
trustee of its decision within 120 days from the date of the filing of the claim. If the trustee disagrees with the IRS's
decision or does not receive a decision from the IRS within 120 days of filing the claim, the trustee may seek a determination
from the bankruptcy court to determine the estate's right to the refund.
Excessive and erroneous tax refunds paid to the bankruptcy estate.
Taxpayers who have net losses can sometimes carry back the losses to previous years where they paid taxes to reduce
the liability in the prior year, which generate a refund. Such taxpayers may also make a special request for a refund, known
as a tentative carryback adjustment (also called a "quickie refund"). A tax liability arising from an excessive allowance
for a “
quickie refund” payable to the bankruptcy estate is given second priority treatment as an administrative expense. However, an erroneous
refund or credit other than a “
quickie refund” paid to the bankruptcy estate receives the same priority as the underlying tax. See
Federal Tax Claims, below.
Note.
Generally, the automatic stay prevents the IRS from offsetting the refund against a tax liability; however, the IRS may freeze
the refund until the stay is lifted. The IRS can offset a pre-petition income tax refund against a pre-petition income tax
liability while the automatic stay is in effect.
Proof of claim.
Upon filing a bankruptcy petition, as a result of the automatic stay, the debtor's assets in the bankruptcy estate
under the jurisdiction of the bankruptcy court are not subject to levy. However, creditors may file a “
proof of claim” with the bankruptcy court to protect their rights. The IRS may file a proof of claim with the bankruptcy court in the same
manner as other creditors. This claim may be filed with the bankruptcy court even though taxes have not been assessed or are
subject to a Tax Court proceeding.
Secured tax claims.
If the IRS filed a Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL) before the bankruptcy petition was filed, the IRS will have
a secured claim in the bankruptcy case to the extent the lien attached to equity in the debtor's assets. In chapter 7 cases,
in certain circumstances, the trustee may be able to subordinate the tax lien in order to pay certain non-tax priority claims.
In chapter 11 cases, if the secured claim would otherwise have been entitled to treatment as a priority claim, the chapter
11 plan must provide for the secured tax claim in the same manner, over the same period, as an unsecured eighth priority tax
claim.
Eighth priority taxes.
In general, certain unsecured debts are given priority for payment purposes. Certain tax debts arising before the
bankruptcy case was filed are classified as eighth priority claims.
The following federal taxes, if unsecured, are eighth priority taxes of the government:
-
Income taxes on or measured by income or gross receipts for a tax year ending on or before the date of the filing of the petition
for which a return, if required, is last due, including extensions, after 3 years before the date of the filing of the bankruptcy
petition.
-
Income taxes on or measured by income or gross receipts assessed within 240 days before the date of the filing of the petition.
The 240-day period is exclusive of any time during which an offer in compromise for that tax was pending or in effect during
that 240-day period plus 30 days, and exclusive of any time during which a stay of proceedings against collections was in
effect in a prior case during the 240-day period plus 90 days.
-
Income taxes that were not assessed before the bankruptcy petition date, but were assessable as of the petition date, unless
these taxes were still assessable solely because no return was filed, a late return was filed within 2 years of the filing
of the bankruptcy petition, a fraudulent return was filed, or because the debtor willfully attempted to evade or defeat the
tax.
-
Withholding taxes that were incurred in any capacity.
-
Employer's share of employment taxes on wages, salaries, or commissions (including vacation, severance, and sick leave pay)
paid as priority claims under title 11 U.S.C. section 507(a)(4), or for which a return was last due within 3 years of the
filing of the bankruptcy petition, including a return for which an extension of the filing date was obtained.
-
Excise taxes on transactions occurring before the date of filing the bankruptcy petition, for which a return, if required,
is last due (including extensions) within 3 years of the filing of the bankruptcy petition. If a return is not required, these
excise taxes include only those on transactions occurring during the 3 years immediately before the date of filing the petition.
Chapter 7 cases.
In a chapter 7 case, eighth priority taxes may be paid out of the assets of the bankruptcy estate to the extent assets
remain after paying the claims of secured creditors and other creditors with higher priority claims.
Chapter 11, 12, and 13 cases.
Different rules apply to payment of eighth priority pre-petition taxes under chapters 11, 12, and 13:
-
A chapter 11 plan can provide for payment of these taxes, with post-confirmation interest, over a period of 5 years from the
date of the order for relief issued by the bankruptcy court (this is the bankruptcy petition date in voluntary cases), in
a manner not less favorable than the most favored non-priority claims (except for convenience claims under section 1122(b)
of the Bankruptcy Code).
-
In a chapter 12 case, the debtor can pay such tax claims in deferred cash payments over time. However, certain priority taxes
may be paid as general unsecured claims if they result from the disposition of a farm asset, but only in cases where the debtor
receives discharge, and
-
In a chapter 13 case, the debtor can pay such taxes over 3 years (or over 5 years with court approval).
Higher priority taxes.
Certain taxes are assigned a higher priority for payment. Taxes incurred by the bankruptcy estate are given second
priority treatment, as administrative expenses. In an involuntary bankruptcy case, taxes arising in the ordinary course of
business or the debtor's financial affairs (after the filing of the bankruptcy petition but before the earlier of the appointment
of a trustee or the order for relief) are included in the third priority payment category. If the debtor has employees, the
employees' portion of employment taxes on the first $11,725 (this amount adjusted every 3 years) of wages that they earned
during the 180-day period before the date of the bankruptcy filing or the cessation of the business (whichever occurs first)
is given fourth priority treatment. However, the debtor's portion of the employment taxes on these wages, as the employer,
is given eighth priority treatment.
Penalties.
A tax penalty which is punitive in nature, that is, not for actual pecuniary loss (monetary), is payable as a general
unsecured claim.
Relief from certain penalties.
A penalty for failure to pay tax, including failure to pay estimated tax, will not be imposed if the tax was incurred
by the bankruptcy estate as a result of an order of the court finding probable insufficiency of funds of the bankruptcy estate
to pay administrative expenses.
If the tax was incurred by the debtor, the penalty will not be imposed if:
-
The tax was incurred before the earlier of the order for relief or (in an involuntary case) the appointment of a trustee,
and
-
The bankruptcy petition was filed before the due date for the tax return (including extensions) or the date for imposing the
penalty occurs on or after the day the bankruptcy petition was filed.
Note.
Relief from the failure-to-pay penalty does not apply to any penalty for failure to pay or deposit tax withheld or collected
from others which is required to be paid over to the U.S. government. Nor does it apply to any penalty for failure to file
a timely return.
FUTA credit.
Employers are generally allowed a credit against FUTA for contributions made to a state unemployment fund if the contributions
are paid by the last day for filing a federal unemployment tax return for the tax year.
If contributions are paid to the state fund after such date, the allowable credit shall not exceed 90% of the otherwise
allowable credit that may be taken against FUTA. However, in the case of wages paid by the trustee of a title 11 bankruptcy
estate where the failure to timely pay state unemployment contributions was without fault by the trustee, 100% of the credit
is allowed. An employer may also receive an additional credit against FUTA contributions. See Publication 15 (Circular E),
Employer's Tax Guide, for additional information.
The bankruptcy court may enter an order discharging the debtor from personal liability for certain debts, including taxes.
The order for discharge is a permanent order of the court prohibiting the creditors from taking action against the debtor
personally to collect the debt. However, secured creditors with valid pre-bankruptcy liens may enforce them to recover property
secured by the lien.
Not all debts are dischargeable. Many tax debts are excepted from the bankruptcy discharge. The scope of the bankruptcy discharge
depends on the chapter under which the case was filed and the nature of the debt. Chapter 7 debtors do not have an absolute
right to a discharge; objections may be filed by creditors. Chapters 12 and 13 debtors are generally entitled to discharge
upon completion of all payments under the bankruptcy plan.
Chapter 7 cases.
For individuals in chapter 7 cases, the following tax debts (including interest) are not subject to discharge: taxes
entitled to eighth priority, taxes for which no return was filed, taxes for which a return was filed late after 2 years before
the bankruptcy petition was filed, taxes for which a fraudulent return was filed, and taxes that the debtor willfully attempted
to evade or defeat. Penalties in a chapter 7 case are dischargeable unless the event that gave rise to the penalty occurred
within 3 years of the bankruptcy and the penalty relates to a tax that is not discharged. Only individuals may receive a discharge
in chapter 7 cases; corporations and other entities do not.
Chapter 11 cases.
The same exceptions to discharge that apply to individuals in chapter 7 cases also apply to individuals in chapter
11 cases. However, different rules apply to corporations. A corporation in a chapter 11 case may receive a broad discharge
when the reorganization plan is confirmed; however, secured and priority claims must be satisfied under the plan. There is
an exception to discharge for taxes for which the debtor filed a fraudulent return or willfully attempted to evade or defeat.
Chapter 13 cases.
A debtor who completes all payments under the chapter 13 plan shall receive a broad discharge of all debts provided
for by the plan. However, priority tax claims
must be paid in full under the chapter 13 plan. The following taxes are excepted from the broad chapter 13 discharge: withholding
taxes for which the debtor is liable in any capacity, taxes for which no return was filed, taxes for which a return was filed
late after 2 years before the bankruptcy petition was filed, taxes for which a fraudulent return was filed, and taxes that
the debtor willfully attempted to evade or defeat. Also, there is an exception from discharge for debts where the creditor,
including the IRS, did not receive notice of the chapter 13 bankruptcy case in time to file a claim.
Chapter 13 “Hardship Discharge”.
In cases where the failure to complete all payments under the chapter 13 plan was due to circumstances for which the
debtor should not be held accountable, the bankruptcy court may grant a “
hardship discharge”. However, all unsecured claims
must be paid an amount not less than they would have received in a chapter 7 liquidation.
Note.
Debts that would be excepted under an individual chapter 7 discharge are also excepted from the chapter 13 hardship discharge.
Chapter 12 cases.
The same tax debts that are excepted from discharge in chapter 7 cases of individuals are excepted from discharge
in chapter 12 cases of individuals. The exceptions do not apply to chapter 12 cases of non-individuals. As in chapter 13
cases, the debtor may be granted a hardship discharge if appropriate.
Federal Tax Liens.
If a tax is discharged, the discharged tax may still be collectable from the debtor's pre-bankruptcy property if the
IRS filed a Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL) before the bankruptcy petition was filed. Perfected liens generally pass through
bankruptcy proceedings unaffected, even if the debtor's personal liability for the debt is discharged. If the IRS did not
file a Notice of Federal Tax Lien before the bankruptcy petition was filed, the tax lien will generally be removed from the
debtor's pre-bankruptcy property as a result of the bankruptcy, even if the debtor exempted the property out of the bankruptcy
estate. However, a tax lien that arises when a tax is assessed may not be removed from the property upon discharge if the
property was excluded from the bankruptcy estate, even if a Notice of Federal Tax Lien was not filed.
If a debt is canceled or forgiven, other than as a gift or bequest, the debtor generally must include the canceled amount
in gross income for tax purposes. A debt includes any indebtedness for which the debtor is liable or that attaches to property
the debtor holds. In the event that the amount forgiven is $600 or more, the debtor should receive a Form 1099-C, Cancellation
of Debt, from the lender. See Form 1099-C and the separate instructions. The debtor may not have to report the entire amount
of canceled debt as income as certain exclusions may apply.
Do not include a canceled debt in gross income if:
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The cancellation takes place in a bankruptcy case under the Bankruptcy Code,
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The cancellation takes place when the debtor is insolvent, and the amount excluded is not more than the amount by which the
debtor is insolvent,
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The canceled debt is qualified farm debt (debt incurred in operating a farm). See Cancellation of Debt in chapter 3 of Publication 225, or
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The canceled debt is qualified real property business indebtedness (certain debt connected with business real property). See
Publication 525.
Order of exclusions.
If the cancellation of debt occurs in a title 11 bankruptcy case, the bankruptcy exclusion takes precedence over the
insolvency exclusion. To the extent that the taxpayer is insolvent, the insolvency exclusion takes precedence over qualified
farm debt or qualified real property business indebtedness exclusions.
Bankruptcy case exclusion.
A bankruptcy case is a case under title 11 of the United States Code, but only if the debtor is under the jurisdiction
of the court and the cancellation of the debt is granted by the court or occurs as a result of a plan approved by the court.
None of the debt canceled in a bankruptcy case is included in the debtor's gross income in the year it was canceled.
Instead, certain losses, credits, and basis of property must be reduced by the amount of excluded income (but not below zero).
These losses, credits, and basis in property are called tax attributes and are discussed under
Reduction of Tax Attributes, later.
Insolvency exclusion.
A debtor is insolvent when, and to the extent, the debtor's liabilities exceed the FMV of the assets. Determine the
debtor's liabilities and the FMV of the assets immediately before the cancellation of the debtor's debt to determine whether
or not the debtor is insolvent and the amount by which the debtor is insolvent.
Exclude from the debtor's gross income debt canceled when the debtor is insolvent, but only up to the amount by which
the debtor is insolvent. However, you must use the amount excluded to reduce certain tax attributes, as explained later under
Reduction of Tax Attributes.
Example.
$4,000 of the Simpson Corporation's liabilities are canceled outside bankruptcy. Immediately before the cancellation, the
Simpson Corporation's liabilities totaled $21,000 and the FMV of its assets was $17,500. Because its liabilities were more
than its assets, it was insolvent. The amount of the insolvency was $3,500 ($21,000 − $17,500). The corporation may exclude
only $3,500 of the $4,000 debt cancellation from income because that is the amount by which it was insolvent. It must also
reduce certain tax attributes by the $3,500 of excluded income. The remaining $500 of canceled debt must be included in income.
Reduction of Tax Attributes
If a debtor excludes canceled debt from income because it is canceled in a bankruptcy case or during insolvency, he or she
must use the excluded amount to reduce certain “tax attributes.” Tax attributes include the basis of certain assets and the losses and credits listed later. By reducing the tax attributes,
the tax on the canceled debt is partially postponed instead of being entirely forgiven. This prevents an excessive tax benefit
from the debt cancellation.
If a separate bankruptcy estate was created, the trustee or debtor-in-possession must reduce the estate's attributes (but
not below zero) by the canceled debt. See Attribute carryovers under Bankruptcy Estate Deductions and Credits earlier.
Order of reduction.
Generally, use the amount of canceled debt to reduce the tax attributes in the order listed below. However, the debtor
may choose to use all or a part of the amount of canceled debt to first reduce the basis of depreciable property before reducing
the other tax attributes. This choice is discussed later.
Net operating loss.
Reduce any NOL for the tax year in which the debt cancellation takes place, and any NOL carryover to that tax year.
General business credit carryovers.
Reduce any carryovers, to or from the tax year of the debt cancellation, of amounts used to determine the general
business credit.
Minimum tax credit.
Reduce any minimum tax credit that is available as of the beginning of the tax year following the tax year of the
debt cancellation.
Capital losses.
Reduce any net capital loss for the tax year of the debt cancellation, and any capital loss carryover to that year.
Basis.
Reduce the basis of the debtor's property as described under
Basis Reduction, later. This reduction applies to the basis of both depreciable and nondepreciable property.
Passive activity loss and credit carryovers.
Reduce any passive activity loss or credit carryover from the tax year of the debt cancellation.
Foreign tax credit.
Last, reduce any carryover, to or from the tax year of the debt cancellation, of an amount used to determine the foreign
tax credit or the Puerto Rico and possession tax credit.
Amount of reduction.
Except for the credit carryovers, reduce the tax attributes listed earlier 1 dollar for each dollar of canceled debt
that is excluded from income. Reduce the credit carryovers by 33
1/
3 cents for each dollar of canceled debt that is excluded from income.
Making the reduction.
Make the required reductions in tax attributes after figuring the tax for the tax year of the debt cancellation. In
reducing NOLs and capital losses, first reduce the loss for the tax year of the debt cancellation, and then any loss carryovers
to that year in the order of the tax years from which the carryovers arose, starting with the earliest year. Make the reductions
of credit carryovers in the order in which the carryovers are taken into account for the tax year of the debt cancellation.
Individuals under chapter 7 or 11.
In an individual bankruptcy under chapter 7 or 11 of title 11, the required reduction of tax attributes must be made
to the attributes of the bankruptcy estate, a separate taxable entity resulting from the filing of the case. The trustee of
the bankruptcy estate must make the choice of whether to reduce the basis of depreciable property first before reducing other
tax attributes.
If any amount of the debt cancellation is used to reduce the basis of assets as discussed under Reduction of Tax Attributes, the following rules apply to the extent indicated.
When to make the basis reduction.
Reductions in basis due to debt cancellation are made at the beginning of the tax year following the cancellation.
The reduction applies to property held at that time. See Regulations section 1.1017-1 for more information.
Bankruptcy and insolvency reduction limit.
The reduction in basis for canceled debt in bankruptcy or in insolvency cannot be more than the total basis of property
held immediately after the debt cancellation, minus the total liabilities immediately after the cancellation. This limit does
not apply if an election is made to reduce basis before reducing other attributes. This election is discussed later.
Exempt property under title 11.
If debt is canceled in a bankruptcy case under title 11 of the United States Code, do not reduce the basis in property
that the debtor treats as exempt property under section 522 of title 11.
Election to reduce basis in depreciable property first.
The estate, in the case of an individual bankruptcy under chapter 7 or 11, may choose to reduce the basis of depreciable
property before reducing any other tax attributes. However, this reduction of the basis of depreciable property cannot be
more than the total basis of depreciable property held at the beginning of the tax year following the tax year of the debt
cancellation.
Depreciable property means any property subject to depreciation, but only if a reduction of basis will reduce the
amount of depreciation or amortization otherwise allowable for the period immediately following the basis reduction. The debtor
may choose to treat as depreciable property any real property that is stock in trade or is held primarily for sale to customers
in the ordinary course of trade or business. The debtor must generally make this choice on the tax return for the tax year
of the debt cancellation, and, once made, the debtor can only revoke it with IRS approval. However, if the debtor establishes
reasonable cause, the debtor may make the choice with an amended return or claim for refund or credit.
Making elections.
Make the election to reduce the basis of depreciable property before reducing other tax attributes, as well as the
election to treat real property inventory as depreciable property, on Form 982.
Recapture of basis reductions.
If any basis in property is reduced under these provisions and is later sold or otherwise disposed of at a gain, the
part of the gain corresponding to the basis reduction is taxable as ordinary income. Figure the ordinary income part by treating
the amount of the basis reduction as a depreciation deduction and by treating any such basis-reduced property that is not
already either IRC section 1245 or IRC section 1250 property as IRC section 1245 property. In the case of IRC section 1250
property, make the determination of what would have been straight line depreciation as though there had been no basis reduction
for debt cancellation. IRC sections 1245 and 1250 and the recapture of gain as ordinary income are explained in Publication
544.
If a partnership's debt is canceled because of bankruptcy or insolvency, the rules for the exclusion of the canceled amount
from gross income and for tax attribute reduction are applied at the individual partner level. Thus, each partner's share
of debt cancellation income must be reported on the partner's return unless the partner meets the bankruptcy or insolvency
exclusions explained earlier. Then all choices, such as the choices to reduce the basis of depreciable property before reducing
other tax attributes, to treat real property inventory as depreciable property, and to end the tax year on the day before
filing the bankruptcy case, must be made by the individual partners, not the partnership.
Depreciable property.
For purposes of reducing the basis of depreciable property in attribute reduction, a partner treats his or her partnership
interest as depreciable property to the extent of the partner's proportionate interest in the partnership's depreciable property.
This applies only if the partnership makes a corresponding reduction in the partnership's basis in its depreciable property
with respect to the partner.
Partner's basis in partnership.
The allocation of an amount of debt cancellation income to a partner results in that partner's basis in the partnership
being increased by that amount. At the same time, the reduction in the partner's share of partnership liabilities caused by
the debt cancellation results in a deemed distribution, in turn resulting in a reduction of the partner's basis in the partnership.
These basis adjustments are separate from any basis reduction under the attribute-reduction rules described earlier.
Corporations in a bankruptcy proceeding or insolvency generally follow the same rules for debt cancellation and reduction
of tax attributes as an individual or individual bankruptcy estate would follow.
If a corporation transfers its stock (or if a partnership transfers an interest in the partnership) in satisfaction of indebtedness
and the FMV of the stock or interest is less than the indebtedness owed, the corporation or partnership has income to the
extent of the difference from the cancellation of indebtedness. The corporation or partnership can exclude all or a portion
of the income created by the stock or interest debt transfer if it is in a bankruptcy proceeding or, if not in a bankruptcy
proceeding, it can exclude the income to the extent it is insolvent. However, the corporation or partnership must reduce its
tax attributes to the extent it has any by the amount of the excluded income.
The earnings and profits of a corporation do not include income from the discharge of indebtedness to the extent of the amount
applied to reduce the basis of the corporation's property as explained earlier. Otherwise, discharge of indebtedness income,
including amounts excluded from gross income, increases the earnings and profits of the corporation (or reduces a deficit
in earnings and profits).
If there is a deficit in the corporation's earnings and profits and the interest of any shareholder of the corporation is
terminated or extinguished in a title 11 or similar case (defined earlier), the deficit must be reduced by an amount equal
to the paid-in capital allocable to the shareholder's terminated or extinguished interest.
For S corporations, the rules for excluding income from debt cancellation because of bankruptcy or insolvency apply at the
corporate level.
Net operating losses.
A loss or deduction that is disallowed for the tax year of the debt cancellation because it exceeds the shareholders'
basis in the corporation's stock and debt is treated as an NOL for that tax year in making the required reduction of tax attributes
for the amount of the canceled debt.
Tax Attribute Reduction Example
The sample filled-in Form 982 shown on the next page is based on the following situation.
Tom Smith is in financial difficulty, but he has been able to avoid declaring bankruptcy. In 2011, he reached an agreement
with his creditors whereby they agreed to forgive $10,000 of the total that he owed them in return for his setting up a schedule
for repayment of the rest of his debts.
Immediately before the debt cancellation, Tom's liabilities totaled $120,000 and the FMV of his assets was $100,000 (his total
basis in all these assets was $90,000). At the time of the debt cancellation, he was considered insolvent by $20,000. He can
exclude from income the entire $10,000 debt cancellation because it was not more than the amount by which he was insolvent.
Among Tom's assets, the only depreciable asset is a rental condominium with an adjusted basis of $50,000. Of this, $10,000
is allocable to the land, leaving a depreciable basis of $40,000. He has a long-term capital loss carryover to 2011 of $5,000.
He also has an NOL of $2,000 and a $3,000 NOL carryover from 2008. He has no other tax attributes arising from the current
tax year or carried to this year.
Ordinarily, in applying the $10,000 debt cancellation amount to reduce tax attributes, Tom would first reduce his $2,000 NOL,
next, his $3,000 NOL carryover from 2008, and then his $5,000 net capital loss carryover. However, he figures that it is better
for him to preserve his loss carryovers for the next tax year.
Tom elects to reduce basis first. He can reduce the depreciable basis of his rental condominium (his only depreciable asset)
by $10,000. The tax effect of doing this will be to reduce his depreciation deductions for years following the year of the
debt cancellation. However, if he later sells the condominium at a gain, the part of the gain from the basis reduction will
be taxable as ordinary income.
Tom must file Form 982, as shown here, with his individual return (Form 1040) for the tax year of the debt discharge. In addition,
he must attach a statement describing the debt cancellation transaction and identifying the property to which the basis reduction
applies. This statement is not illustrated.
You can get help with unresolved tax issues, order free publications and forms, ask tax questions, and get information from
the IRS in several ways. By selecting the method that is best for you, you will have quick and easy access to tax help.
Taxpayer Advocate Service.
The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is your voice at the IRS. Our job is to ensure that every taxpayer is treated
fairly, and that you know and understand your rights. We offer free help to guide you through the often-confusing process
of resolving tax problems that you haven’t been able to solve on your own. Remember, the worst thing you can do is nothing
at all.
TAS can help if you can’t resolve your problem with the IRS and:
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Your problem is causing financial difficulties for you, your family, or your business.
-
You face (or your business is facing) an immediate threat of adverse action.
-
You have tried repeatedly to contact the IRS but no one has responded, or the IRS has not responded to you by the date promised.
If you qualify for our help, we’ll do everything we can to get your problem resolved. You will be assigned to one
advocate who will be with you at every turn. We have offices in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Although
TAS is independent within the IRS, our advocates know how to work with the IRS to get your problems resolved. And our services
are always free.
As a taxpayer, you have rights that the IRS must abide by in its dealings with you. Our tax toolkit at
www.TaxpayerAdvocate.irs.gov can help you understand these rights.
If you think TAS might be able to help you, call your local advocate, whose number is in your phone book and on our
website at
www.irs.gov/advocate. You can also call our toll-free number at 1-877-777-4778 or TTY/TDD 1-800-829-4059.
TAS also handles large-scale or systemic problems that affect many taxpayers. If you know of one of these broad issues,
please report it to us through our Systemic Advocacy Management System at
www.irs.gov/advocate.
Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP).
The TAP listens to taxpayers, identifies taxpayer issues, and makes suggestions for improving IRS services and customer
satisfaction. If you have suggestions for improvements, contact the TAP toll-free at 1-888-912-1227 or go to
www.improveirs.org.
Comments and suggestions.
We welcome your comments about this publication and your suggestions for future editions.
You can write to us at the following address:
Internal Revenue Service
Individual Forms and Publications Branch
SE:W:CAR:MP:T:I
1111 Constitution Ave. NW, IR-6526
Washington, DC 20224
We respond to many letters by telephone. Therefore, it would be helpful if you would include your daytime phone number,
including the area code, in your correspondence.
You can email us at
taxforms@irs.gov. Please put “
Publications Comment” on the subject line. You can also send us comments from
www.irs.gov/formspubs/, select “
Comment on Tax Forms and Publications” under “
Information about.”
Although we cannot respond individually to each comment received, we do appreciate your feedback and will consider
your comments as we revise our tax products.
Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs).
Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) are independent from the IRS. Some clinics serve individuals whose income is
below a certain level and who need to resolve a tax problem. These clinics provide professional representation before the
IRS or in court on audits, appeals, tax collection disputes, and other issues for free or for a small fee. Some clinics can
provide information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities in many different languages for individuals who speak English
as a second language. For more information and to find a clinic near you, see the LITC page on
www.irs.gov/advocate or IRS Publication 4134,
Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List. This publication is also available by calling 1-800-829-3676 or at your local IRS office.
Free help with your return.
Free help in preparing your return is available nationwide from IRS-certified volunteers. The Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance (VITA) program is designed to help low-moderate income taxpayers and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program
is designed to assist taxpayers age 60 and older with their tax returns. Most VITA and TCE sites offer free electronic filing
and all volunteers will let you know about credits and deductions you may be entitled to claim. To find the nearest VITA or
TCE site, visit IRS.gov or call 1-800-906-9887 or 1-800-829-1040.
As part of the TCE program, AARP offers the Tax-Aide counseling program. To find the nearest AARP Tax-Aide site, call
1-888-227-7669 or visit AARP's website at
www.aarp.org/money/taxaide.
For more information on these programs, go to IRS.gov and enter keyword “
VITA” in the upper right-hand corner.
Free tax services.
Publication 910, IRS Guide to Free Tax Services, is your guide to IRS services and resources. Learn about free tax
information from the IRS, including publications, services, and education and assistance programs. The publication also has
an index of over 100 TeleTax topics (recorded tax information) you can listen to on the telephone. The majority of the information
and services listed in this publication are available to you free of charge. If there is a fee associated with a resource
or service, it is listed in the publication.
Accessible versions of IRS published products are available on request in a variety of alternative formats for people
with disabilities.
Internet. You can access the IRS website at IRS.gov 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to:
-
E-file your return. Find out about commercial tax preparation and e-file services available free to eligible taxpayers.
-
Check the status of your 2011 refund. Go to IRS.gov and click on Where's My Refund. Wait at least 72 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of your e-filed return, or 3 to 4 weeks after mailing a paper
return. If you filed Form 8379 with your return, wait 14 weeks (11 weeks if you filed electronically). Have your 2011 tax
return available so you can provide your social security number, your filing status, and the exact whole dollar amount of
your refund.
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Download forms, including talking tax forms, instructions, and publications.
-
Order IRS products online.
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Research your tax questions online.
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Search publications online by topic or keyword.
-
Use the online Internal Revenue Code, regulations, or other official guidance.
-
View Internal Revenue Bulletins (IRBs) published in the last few years.
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Figure your withholding allowances using the withholding calculator online at www.irs.gov/individuals.
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Determine if Form 6251 must be filed by using our Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Assistant available online at www.irs.gov/individuals.
-
Sign up to receive local and national tax news by email.
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Get information on starting and operating a small business.
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Order a return or transcript by clicking on “Order a Return or Account Transcript” at IRS.gov.
Phone. Many services are available by phone.
-
Centralized Insolvency Operations Unit (CIO). The toll free number 1-800-973-0424 is available only for debtors, attorneys, and trustees in an open bankruptcy case and only for open Chapter 7 (no asset) cases and Chapter 13 cases. For questions regarding other open bankruptcies, please contact
the local field insolvency office. Questions you have prior to submission of a petition to the bankruptcy court should be
directed to an attorney or financial advisor. If you are inquiring as to the status of a refund, please use the refund hotline
at 1-800-829-1954.
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Ordering forms, instructions, and publications. Call 1-800-TAX -FORM (1-800-829-3676) to order current-year forms, instructions, and publications, and prior-year forms and
instructions. You should receive your order within 10 days.
-
Asking tax questions. Call the IRS with your tax questions at 1-800-829-1040.
-
Solving problems. You can get face-to-face help solving tax problems every business day in IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers. An employee can
explain IRS letters, request adjustments to your account, or help you set up a payment plan. Call your local Taxpayer Assistance
Center for an appointment. To find the number, go to www.irs.gov/localcontacts or look in the phone book under United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.
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TTY/TDD equipment. If you have access to TTY/TDD equipment, call 1-800-829-4059 to ask tax questions or to order forms and publications.
-
TeleTax topics. Call 1-800-829-4477 to listen to pre-recorded messages covering various tax topics.
-
Refund information. To check the status of your 2011 refund, call 1-800-829-1954 or 1-800-829-4477 (automated refund information 24 hours a day,
7 days a week). Wait at least 72 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of your e-filed return, or 3 to 4 weeks after mailing
a paper return. If you filed Form 8379 with your return, wait 14 weeks (11 weeks if you filed electronically). Have your 2011
tax return available so you can provide your social security number, your filing status, and the exact whole dollar amount
of your refund. If you check the status of your refund and are not given the date it will be issued, please wait until the
next week before checking back.
-
Other refund information. To check the status of a prior-year refund or amended return refund, call 1-800-829-1040.
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Transcripts. To order a transcript of your tax return call 1-800-908-9946.
Evaluating the quality of our telephone services. To ensure IRS representatives give accurate, courteous, and professional answers, we use several methods to evaluate the quality
of our telephone services. One method is for a second IRS representative to listen in on or record random telephone calls.
Another is to ask some callers to complete a short survey at the end of the call.
Walk-in. Many products and services are available on a walk-in basis.
-
Products. You can walk in to many post offices, libraries, and IRS offices to pick up certain forms, instructions, and publications.
Some IRS offices, libraries, grocery stores, copy centers, city and county government offices, credit unions, and office supply
stores have a collection of products available to print from a CD or photocopy from reproducible proofs. Also, some IRS offices
and libraries have the Internal Revenue Code, regulations, Internal Revenue Bulletins, and Cumulative Bulletins available
for research purposes.
-
Services. You can walk in to your local Taxpayer Assistance Center every business day for personal, face-to-face tax help. An employee
can explain IRS letters, request adjustments to your tax account, or help you set up a payment plan. If you need to resolve
a tax problem, have questions about how the tax law applies to your individual tax return, or you are more comfortable talking
with someone in person, visit your local Taxpayer Assistance Center where you can spread out your records and talk with an
IRS representative face-to-face. No appointment is necessary—just walk in. If you prefer, you can call your local Center and
leave a message requesting an appointment to resolve a tax account issue. A representative will call you back within 2 business
days to schedule an in-person appointment at your convenience. If you have an ongoing, complex tax account problem or a special
need, such as a disability, an appointment can be requested. All other issues will be handled without an appointment. To find
the number of your local office, go to
www.irs.gov/localcontacts or look in the phone book under United States Government, Internal Revenue Service.
Mail. You can send your order for forms, instructions, and publications to the address below. You should receive a response within
10 days after your request is received.
Internal Revenue Service
1201 N. Mitsubishi Motorway
Bloomington, IL 61705-6613
DVD for tax products. You can order Publication 1796, IRS Tax Products DVD, and obtain:
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Current-year forms, instructions, and publications.
-
Prior-year forms, instructions, and publications.
-
Tax Map: an electronic research tool and finding aid.
-
Tax law frequently asked questions.
-
Tax Topics from the IRS telephone response system.
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Internal Revenue Code—Title 26 of the U.S. Code.
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Links to other Internet based Tax Research Materials.
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Fill-in, print, and save features for most tax forms.
-
Internal Revenue Bulletins.
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Toll-free and email technical support.
-
Two releases during the year.
– The first release will ship the beginning of January 2012.
– The final release will ship the beginning of March 2012.
Purchase the DVD from National Technical Information Service (NTIS) at www.irs.gov/cdorders for $30 (no handling fee) or call 1-877-233-6767 toll free to buy the DVD for $30 (plus a $6 handling fee).
