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Quarterly Small Business Payroll Tax Credit for Increasing Research Activities

Rev. December 2023

Form 8974 is a tax form for Employers to determine and report Qualified Small Business Payroll Tax Credit for Increasing Research Activities. The form includes instructions for filling out Part 1, which requires providing details about the income tax return including EIN, ending date of income tax period, and amount of credit from previous periods. Part 2 involves determining the credit that can be used this period by entering amounts from Form 941, 943 or 944. The form calculates the credit against the employer share of social security tax and Medicare tax, with the smaller value being entered. The total credit is obtained by adding lines 12 and 16 and reported on Form 941, 943 or 944.

Instructions

  • Form 8974 Instructions - Instructions for Form 8974, Qualified Small Business Payroll Tax Credit for Increasing Research Activities
FAQ
  • Where should I file Form 8974?

    Instructions for filing location vary depending on whether you're filing quarterly (Form 941) or annually (Forms 943 and 944). Check the Instructions for those forms to determine where to file Form 8974.

  • What is the deadline to file Form 8974?

    Filing deadlines for Form 8974 depend on whether you're filing quarterly (Form 941) or annually (Forms 943 and 944). Check the Instructions for those forms to determine the deadline to file Form 8974.

  • What information is needed to complete Form 8974?

    Form 8974 requires information from Forms W-2, 940, 941, 943, and 944. Employers will also need to know their research tax credit percentage and total wages paid for services.

  • Who can file Form 8974?

    Employers who paid wages for services in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. possession, and who had research activities during the tax year are eligible to file Form 8974.

  • What is Form 8974 used for?

    Form 8974, Credit for Small Businesses for Increasing Research Activities, is used to claim a tax credit for increasing research activities. Employers who report their payroll taxes quarterly (Form 941) or annually (Forms 943 and 944) can use this form to figure and report the qualified small business payroll tax credit.

  • What is the estimated time to complete and file Form 8974?

    The estimated average time to complete and file Form 8974 is approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes. This includes time for recordkeeping, learning about the law or form, and preparing and sending the form to the IRS.

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ABOUT

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Forms

Form 8974 is one of the official tax forms used in the United States to report income, claim deductions and credits, calculate tax liability, and fulfill other tax-related obligations. The IRS is the federal agency responsible for administering and enforcing the internal revenue laws in the United States.

Here are some examples of Internal Revenue Service forms:

Form 1040: This is the primary individual income tax return form used by most taxpayers. It is used to report various types of income, claim deductions and credits, calculate tax liability, and determine whether a taxpayer owes additional tax or is entitled to a refund.

Form 1099: There are different variations of Form 1099, such as 1099-MISC, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, etc. These forms are used to report income received by individuals or businesses from various sources other than employment, such as self-employment income, interest income, dividend income, and rental income.

Form W-2: This form is used by employers to report wages paid to employees and the taxes withheld from their pay. Employees use the information on Form W-2 to complete their individual tax returns.

Form 941: Employers use this form to report employment taxes, including federal income tax withheld, Social Security tax, and Medicare tax, for their employees.

Form 1065: This form is used by partnerships to report their income, deductions, and tax liability. Partnerships themselves do not pay income tax; instead, the partners report their share of partnership income on their individual tax returns.

Form 1120: This is the corporate income tax return form used by C corporations to report their income, deductions, and tax liability.

Form 990: This form is used by tax-exempt organizations, such as nonprofits and charities, to report their financial information, activities, and compliance with tax laws.

Form 8862: This form is used by taxpayers who previously claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) but had it disallowed, and now want to claim it again.

These are just a few examples of the numerous IRS forms that exist to fulfill various tax-related obligations. The specific forms required for an individual or business depend on their unique circumstances, income sources, and deductions. It's advisable to consult the official website of the Internal Revenue Service (www.irs.gov) or seek professional tax advice to obtain accurate and up-to-date information regarding the specific IRS forms relevant to your tax situation.

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