How to File Payroll Taxes Late

File Form 941 with the IRS for late payroll taxes.

Payroll taxes must be paid by making a monthly 941 tax deposit, along with a 941 tax deposit coupon to your bank or by mailing a check along with your quarterly 941 tax return to the Internal Revenue Service. Every employer that pays wages to employees during the year is required to file a payroll tax return. Filing payroll taxes late results in penalties and interest from the Internal Revenue Service. Filing payroll taxes late is no different than filing on time, with the exception of receiving a tax bill with late fees.

Instructions

1. Fill out and send your payroll tax form 941 to the Internal Revenue Service, even if it is late. The Internal Revenue Service will add interest and penalties to late returns, but you are required to file them.

2. Mail your return to the IRS just as you would if the return was not late. The mailing address for Form 941 is listed on the instructions, as taxpayers in each state must mail their returns to different addresses.

3. Attach a letter of explanation to your payroll taxes. The IRS will determine, based on the information in your letter and how late the return was filed, whether or not the cause for late filing is reasonable. If the IRS determines your late filing is reasonable, you will not receive a bill in the mail with late fees and penalties. If the IRS does not approve your reasons for filing late, promptly pay the tax bill that is mailed to you.

References

• Payroll-taxes.com: Payroll Taxes
• IRS.gov: Filing Late and/or Paying Late