How To Report Erc On Tax Return 1120s While receiving the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) may seem like a welcome cash flow boost, understanding its implications for your taxes can be complex. Although the ERC itself is not classified as taxable income, it can influence your payroll deductions, subsequently affecting your taxable profits. To unravel this, let’s explore how the ERC impacts your tax return and where to report it on relevant forms like 1120-S and 1065.
How Does the Employee Retention Credit Affect Tax Returns?
The extent to which the Employee Retention Credit affects your tax returns depends on three key factors:
- The amount you claim through the credit.
- The payroll expense deductions you take during the year.
- The type of business entity you operate.
To comprehend these factors, let’s first examine the relationship between the ERC and “taxable income.”
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So, Is the Employee Retention Credit Taxable Income?
Technically, the ERC itself is not taxable income. However, claiming the ERC does impact your payroll deductions. As an employer or business that receives the ERC, you must reduce your payroll expense deduction by the amount of ERC claimed.
To better understand this, we must first delve into the law regarding employment credits in general. Under IRC Section 280C, taxpayers are required to reduce their deductible expenses by the amount of the Research and Development (R&D) credit for the tax years when the credit is claimed. R&D tax credits and ERC tax credits fall into separate categories, and the IRS has explicitly stated that credits claimed under the ERC cannot be claimed under R&D, and vice versa, to prevent double-dipping.
To optimize cash flow, businesses should take specific steps when claiming federal tax credits. Applying expenses that don’t qualify as research expenses toward the ERC credit can mitigate the negative impact on the R&D tax credit. This approach maximizes the benefits of both credits.
Payroll deductions are the wages withheld from your total taxable earnings for tax and benefits purposes. Therefore, claiming the ERC effectively increases your taxable income, subsequently raising your overall tax liability.
How to Report ERC on a Tax Return
Reporting the Employee Retention Credit on your tax return depends on the type of business entity you operate, such as an S-corporation, partnership, cooperative, estate, or trust.
For S-corporations (Form 1120-S): If you are an S-corporation shareholder, you will need to complete Form 1120-S. On this form, you’ll use line 13g to report income, gains, losses, deductions, and credits that factor into your business’s income tax liability.
For partnerships (Form 1065): If you are a partner in a partnership, you will need to complete Form 1065. Additionally, you’ll need to fill out an accompanying Schedule K-1, which varies based on your business type.
For various entities (Form 5884-A): Partnerships, S-corporations, cooperatives, estates, and trusts that claim the Employee Retention Credit must file Form 5884-A.
How to Report ERC on Tax Return 1120-S:
Reporting the Employee Retention Credit on Form 1120-S is straightforward but crucial to ensure accurate completion. Here’s how to do it:
- Form 1120-S: This form is an income tax return filed by S-corporations. It reports all gains, losses, credits, deductions, and other aspects of the corporation’s tax liability. S-corporations pass corporate income, losses, deductions, and credits to shareholders for federal tax purposes, avoiding double taxation.
- Line 13g: Under the “Other Credits” category on Form 1120-S, you’ll find Line 13g. This is where you report the Employee Retention Credit. Ensure that you accurately record the ERC amount and subtract it from your payroll expense deduction.
How to Report ERC on Tax Return 1065:
Form 1065, known as the Schedule K-1 form for business partnerships, is used to report income, gains, credits, and more for the partnership. Here’s how to report the ERC on Form 1065:
- Form 1065 Preliminary Instructions: Partners must include their share of profits, losses, deductions, and credits on the Schedule K-1. They are responsible for applying all necessary limitations to ensure accurate reporting. Be aware of any recent updates to the form, such as those related to tax credits.
- Box 15 (Credits): On Form 1065, navigate to “Box 15 – Credits.” Here, you’ll report credits related to passive activity or those specified on the form.
- Enter Employee Retention Credit: Report the Employee Retention Credit accurately in this section. Subtract the ERC amount from your payroll expense deduction.
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Final Thoughts
As a fully refundable tax credit, the ERC doesn’t require repayment; it’s in excess of payroll taxes for the credit period (2020-2021). However, precise recording and calculation of the payroll expense deduction are crucial to ensure accuracy. Each business entity type has its own form, so proper record-keeping and compliance are essential. If you need assistance with your ERC-related matters, consult a professional to navigate this complex terrain effectively.
