It’s nearing tax time and the accounting department is buzzing. This is where your consistent record keeping really pays off. You will be busy handing out tax forms to employees and independent contractors. You will also file a tax return in which you’ll report the business earnings and pay taxes on the profits. A larger business will probably file a tax return that stands on its own. However, if the company is smaller, it may be filed as a part of the owner’s tax return. Regardless, there is lots of work to be done!
Tax Forms
Employees: Make sure each employee receives a W-2 form. For independent contractors, use Form 1099. File these either in paper form or electronically. It’s recommended if you have more than 250 forms to file, do so electronically.
Proprietorship & Single Member LLC Tax Return: For federal, state and local tax returns, report the profits on Schedule C and the net profit/loss amount on Schedule C on Form 1040. It’s important to note the amount included for income tax reporting is the calculated profit of the business, not the amount the owner withdrew.
Partnership Tax Return: Use Form 1065. Each partner receives Schedule K-1, which reports his/her share of the profits. Each partner reports the net profits reported on Schedule K-1 on his/her personal tax return, using Schedule E.
LLP or Multimember LLC Tax Return: The business files Form 1065. If the business opts to be treated as a corporation, including an S corporation, then it must file Form 8832.
S Corporation Tax Return: File Form 1120S. Include Schedule K-1 with the return to report the profit for each stockholder and a summary of any other transactions specific to that stockholder. The S Corporation also files state income tax returns for every state in which it conducts business.
C Corporation Tax Return: File federal Form 1120 and applicable state corporate tax returns. Make sure stockholders receive the appropriate tax forms. W-2 for wages, 1099-MISC for directors’ fees, 1099-INT for interest, and 1099-DIV for dividends.
