The filing requirements for business owners depend upon the type of business (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, S Corporation). Also, if you have employees, you are required to file employment tax related returns. Listed below are common forms and due dates businesses are subject to:
| Business/Tax type | THEN use | Filing due date |
|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietorship | Form 1040 PDF and Schedule C PDF | April 15 |
| Partnership | April 15; for fiscal year partnerships the return is due on the 15th day of the fourth month after close of the tax year | |
| Corporations |
Form 1120 PDF (corporation) Form 1120-S PDF (S corporation) |
March 15; for fiscal year corporations the return is due on the 15th day of the third month after close of tax year |
| Self-employment tax | Schedule SE PDF | April 15, filed with 1040 and Schedule C or C-EZ |
| Estimated tax (sole proprietor business) | Form 1040-ES PDF | Quarterly — April 15, June 15, September 15, January 15 |
| Social Security and Medicare taxes and income tax withholding on employee's wages | Form 941 — quarterly, deposits due dependent upon tax liability, refer to Publication 15, Employer's Tax Guide PDF, for detailed information | |
| Providing information on social security and Medicare taxes and income tax withholding |
Form W-2 PDF (to employee) Form W-2 PDF and Form W-3 PDF (to the Social Security Administration) |
Provide to employee by January 31 Provide to Social Security Administration by February 28 (March 31 if filed electronically) |
| Federal unemployment Tax (FUTA) | January 31 | |
| Filing information returns for payments to nonemployees and transactions with other persons | Form 1099-MISC PDF |
Provide to recipient by January 31 All 1099-MISC forms with payments in box 7 (non-employee compensation) are due to the IRS by January 31. File other paper Forms 1099-MISC with the IRS by February 28 (March 31 if filed electronically). |