Instructions For Form 944-X: (Rev. February 2023)
Instructions For Form 944-X: (Rev. February 2023)
Instructions For Form 944-X: (Rev. February 2023)
! underreported amounts of Additional Medicare can’t use the adjustment process. If you’re also correcting
CAUTION Tax unless the amounts were withheld from underreported tax amounts, you must file another Form
employee wages. 944-X to correct the underreported tax amounts using the
adjustment process and pay any tax due.
To correct a previously filed Form 944, use Form 944-X to Correcting an employment tax credit or social securi-
file either an adjusted employment tax return or a claim for ty tax deferral. For lines 1 and 2, if you underreported an
refund or abatement. The adjustment process and the employment tax credit or the amount of social security tax
claim process are outlined below. deferred, treat it like you overreported a tax amount. If you
overreported an employment tax credit or the amount of
If you underreported the tax. If you underreported
social security tax deferred, treat it like you underreported
the tax on a previously filed Form 944, check the box on
a tax amount. If you're filing Form 944-X to adjust only an
line 1 and pay any additional amount you owe by the
employment tax credit and/or the amount of social
time you file Form 944-X. For details on how to make a
security tax deferred and you're not correcting any
payment, see the instructions for line 27, later.
overreported taxes on Form 944-X, lines 6–13, skip lines 4
Example—You underreported employment taxes. and 5.
On June 21, 2023, you discovered an error that results in
additional tax on your 2022 Form 944. File Form 944-X by 1. Adjusted Employment Tax Return
January 31, 2024, and pay the amount you owe by the Check the box on line 1 if you’re correcting underreported
time you file. See When Should You File Form 944-X, tax amounts or overreported tax amounts and you would
earlier. Don’t attach Form 944-X to your 2023 Form 944. like to use the adjustment process to correct the errors.
If you overreported the tax. If you overreported the
tax on a previously filed Form 944, choose one of the If you’re correcting both underreported tax amounts
following options. and overreported tax amounts on this form, you must
• Use the adjustment process. Check the box on line 1 to check this box. If you check this box, any negative amount
apply any credit (negative amount) from line 27 to Form shown on line 27 will be applied as a credit (tax deposit) to
944 for the year during which you file Form 944-X. your Form 944 or Form 941 for the period in which you’re
• Use the claim process. Check the box on line 2 to file a filing this form. See Example—You want your
claim on Form 944-X requesting a refund or abatement of overreported tax applied as a credit on Form 944, earlier.
the amount shown on line 27. Form 944-X can’t be used to correct overreported
To ensure the IRS has enough time to process a ! amounts of Additional Medicare Tax unless the
TIP credit for an overreporting tax adjustment in CAUTION amounts were not withheld from employee wages.
the year in which you file Form 944-X, you’re
encouraged to file Form 944-X correcting the If you owe tax. Pay the amount shown on line 27 by the
overreported tax amount in the first 11 months of a year. time you file Form 944-X. Generally, you won’t be
For example, if you discover an overreported tax amount charged interest if you file on time, pay on time, enter the
in December, you may want to file Form 944-X during the date you discovered the error, and explain the correction
first 11 months of the next year. However, there must be on line 43.
90 days remaining on the period of limitations when you If you have a credit. You overreported employment
file Form 944-X. See the Caution under Is There a taxes (you have a negative amount on line 27) and want
Deadline for Filing Form 944-X, earlier. This should the IRS to apply the credit on Form 944 (or Form 941) for
ensure the IRS will have enough time to process the Form the period during which you filed Form 944-X. The IRS will
944-X so the credit will be posted before you file Form apply your credit on the first day of the Form 944 year (or
944, thus avoiding an erroneous balance due notice from Form 941 quarter) during which you filed Form 944-X.
the IRS. See the example below. However, the credit you show on Form 944-X, line 27,
Unless the IRS corrects Form 944-X during processing You may not use Form 944-X to correct
or you owe other taxes, penalties, or interest, the IRS will ! overreported amounts of Additional Medicare Tax
CAUTION unless the amounts weren’t withheld from
refund the amount shown on line 27, plus any interest that
applies. employee wages.
You may not file a refund claim to correct federal 4a. Check the box on line 4a if your overreported amount
! income tax or Additional Medicare Tax actually includes each affected employee share of overcollected
CAUTION withheld from employees. taxes. You’re certifying that you repaid or reimbursed the
employee share of prior year taxes and you received
Part 2: Complete the Certifications written statements from the employees stating that they
didn’t and won’t receive a refund or credit for the prior
You must complete all certifications that apply by year taxes. Don’t send these statements to the IRS. Keep
checking the appropriate boxes. If all of your corrections them for your records. Generally, all employment tax
relate to underreported tax amounts, complete line 3 only; records must be kept for at least 4 years. Records related
skip lines 4 and 5 and go to Part 3. If your corrections to qualified sick leave wages and qualified family leave
relate to overreported tax amounts, other than corrections wages for leave taken after March 31, 2021, and before
related to underreported employment tax credits and October 1, 2021, and records related to qualified wages
social security tax deferrals, you have a duty to ensure for the employee retention credit paid after June 30, 2021,
that your employees' rights to recover overpaid employee should be kept for at least 6 years. Copies must be
social security and Medicare taxes that you withheld are submitted to the IRS if requested.
protected. The certifications on lines 4 and 5 address the
requirement to: 4b. Check the box on line 4b to certify that your
overreported amount is only for the employer share of
• Repay or reimburse your employees for the taxes on those employees who you were unable to find or
overcollection of employee social security and Medicare
those who didn’t give you a statement described on
taxes, or
line 4a.
• Obtain consents from your employees to file a claim on
their behalf. See Rev. Proc. 2017-28 for guidance on the 4c. Check the box on line 4c to certify that your
requirements for both a request for employee consent and overreported amount is only for federal income tax, social
for the employee consent. security tax, Medicare tax, or Additional Medicare Tax that
you didn’t withhold from your employees.
3. Filing Forms W-2 or Forms W-2c
Check the box on line 3 to certify that you filed or will file 5. Certifying Claims
Forms W-2 or Forms W-2c, with the Social Security If you’re filing a claim for refund or abatement of
Administration (SSA), as required, showing your overreported federal income tax, social security tax,
in tips for one of your part-time employees. To correct the line 2, isn't the amount you actually withheld from an
error, figure the difference on Form 944-X as shown. employee's wages) and errors for which section 3509
rates apply. Only transposition or math errors involving the
Column 1 (corrected amount) 1,000.00 inaccurate reporting of the amount withheld are
Column 2 (Form 944, line 1) - 900.00 "administrative errors." The administrative error
Column 3 (difference) 100.00 adjustment corrects the amount reported on Form 944 to
agree with the amount actually withheld from employees.
See section 2 of Pub. 15 for more information about
Example—Wages, tips, and other compensation section 3509. If section 3509 rates apply, see the
decreased. You reported $900 as wages, tips, and other instructions for lines 18–21, later.
compensation on line 1 of your 2022 Form 944. In
December of 2023, you discover that you included $200 in You can't file a Form 944-X to correct federal income
wages for one of your employees twice. To correct the tax withholding for prior years for nonadministrative errors.
error, figure the difference on Form 944-X as shown. In other words, you can't correct federal income tax
actually withheld from an employee in a prior year if you
discover that you didn't withhold the right amount. For
Column 1 (corrected amount) 700.00
example, you can't correct federal income tax withheld in
Column 2 (Form 944, line 1) - 900.00
a prior year because you used the wrong income tax
Column 3 (difference) -200.00 withholding table or you didn't treat a payment correctly as
taxable or nontaxable. Similarly, if you paid federal
income tax in a prior year on behalf of your employee
Example—Auto allowance; wages, tips, and other rather than deducting it from the employee's pay (which
compensation increased. You paid one of your resulted in additional wages subject to tax), and in a
employees a $50 monthly auto allowance from October– subsequent year you determine that you incorrectly
December 2022 and didn’t treat the payments as taxable calculated the amount of tax, you can't correct the federal
wages. In February 2023, you realized that the payments income tax withholding.
were wages because they weren't reimbursements of
Example—Prior year nonadministrative error
deductible business expenses that were substantiated
(failure to withhold federal income tax when
and paid under an accountable plan. You correct the error
required). You were required to withhold $400 of federal
by treating the auto allowance as wages subject to
income tax from an employee's bonus that was paid in
income, social security, and Medicare taxes. Report the
December of 2022 but you withheld nothing. You
additional $150 of wages on Form 944-X, lines 6, 8, 12,
discovered the error on March 17, 2023. You can’t file
and, if applicable, line 13.
Form 944-X to correct federal income tax withheld
Be sure to explain the reasons for the corrections on reported on your 2022 Form 944 because the error
line 43. involves a previous year and the amount previously
The amount on line 6, column 1, should be used reported for the employee represents the actual amount
TIP on your Forms W-2 or Forms W-2c. This amount withheld from the employee during 2022.
should also generally be used for any business Example—Prior year administrative error
expense deduction on your income tax return (or (incorrectly reported amount of federal income tax
amended return) for wages paid. actually withheld). You had three employees. In 2022,
you withheld $100 of federal income tax from Nathan
7. Federal Income Tax Withheld From Wages, Black, $200 from Leah Green, and $600 from Becky Lee.
Tips, and Other Compensation The total amount of federal income tax you withheld was
$900. You mistakenly reported $600 on line 2 of your
If you’re correcting the federal income tax withheld from
2022 Form 944. You discovered the error on March 17,
wages, tips, and other compensation you reported on
2023. This is an example of an administrative error that
Form 944, line 2, enter the total corrected amount in
may be corrected in a later calendar year because the
column 1. In column 2, enter the amount you originally
amount actually withheld from employees' wages isn’t the
10. Qualified Family Leave Wages (For Leave Be sure to explain the reasons for this correction on
line 43.
Taken After March 31, 2020, and Before April 1,
2021) 11. Taxable Social Security Tips
Qualified family leave wages paid with respect to leave If you’re correcting the taxable social security tips you
taken after March 31, 2020, and before April 1, 2021, reported on Form 944, line 4b, column 1, enter the total
aren't subject to the employer share of social security tax; corrected amount in column 1. In column 2, enter the
therefore, the tax rate on these wages is 6.2% (0.062). For amount you originally reported or as previously corrected.
line 13 (column 1)
- line 13 (column 2) Don’t multiply the amount in column 3 by 0.009 (0.9%
line 13 (column 3) If the amount in column 2 is larger than the
tax rate). Leave column 4 blank and explain the reasons
amount in column 1, use a minus sign in for this correction on line 43.
column 3. Example—Prior year nonadministrative error
(failure to withhold Additional Medicare Tax when
required). Leah Green's wages exceeded the $200,000
withholding threshold for Additional Medicare Tax in
Multiply the amount in column 3 by 0.009 (0.9% tax December 2022. The total wages paid to Leah for 2022
rate) and enter that result in column 4. were $220,000. You were required to withhold $180
($20,000 x 0.009) but you withheld nothing and didn’t
line 13 (column 3) report an amount on line 4d of your 2022 Form 944. You
x 0.009 discover the error on March 15, 2023. File Form 944-X to
line 13 (column 4) If the amount in column 3 used a minus sign, correct wages and tips subject to Additional Medicare Tax
also use a minus sign in column 4. withholding for your 2022 Form 944, but you may not
correct the Additional Medicare Tax withheld (column 4)
because the error involves a previous year and the
amount previously reported for the employee represents
Example—Prior year administrative error
the actual amount withheld from the employee during
(incorrectly reported amount of Additional Medicare
2022.
Tax actually withheld). Nathan Black’s wages
exceeded the $200,000 withholding threshold for Combination of prior year administrative and nonad-
Additional Medicare Tax in November 2022. The total ministrative errors. If you’re reporting both
wages paid to Nathan for 2022 were $230,000. You administrative errors and nonadministrative errors for the
withheld $270 ($30,000 x 0.009) from Nathan’s wages. same prior year, enter the total corrected amount in
However, on your 2022 Form 944 you mistakenly reported column 1. In column 2, enter the amount you originally
$3,000 on line 4d, column 1, and Additional Medicare Tax reported or as previously corrected. In column 3, enter the
withheld of $27 on line 4d, column 2. You discover the difference between columns 1 and 2. However, multiply
error on March 15, 2023. This is an example of an only the amount of wages and tips reported in column 3
administrative error that may be corrected in a later that are related to administrative errors by 0.009 (0.9% tax
calendar year because the amount actually withheld isn’t rate). Don’t multiply any wages and tips reported in
the amount reported on your 2022 Form 944. Use Form column 3 that are related to nonadministrative errors by
944-X, line 13, to correct the error as shown below. 0.009 (0.9% tax rate). Use line 43 to explain in detail your
corrections. The explanation must include the reasons for
Column 1 (corrected amount) 30,000.00 the corrections and a breakdown of the amount reported
Column 2 (Form 944, line 4d, column 1) - 3,000.00 in column 3 into the amounts related to administrative
Column 3 (difference) 27,000.00
errors and nonadministrative errors.
Example—Combination of prior year administrative
and nonadministrative errors. Nathan Black’s wages
Use the difference in column 3 to determine your tax exceeded the $200,000 withholding threshold for
correction. Additional Medicare Tax in November 2022. The total
wages paid to Nathan for 2022 were $230,000. You
withheld $270 ($30,000 x 0.009) from Nathan's wages.
Column 3 (difference) 27,000.00
However, on your 2022 Form 944 you mistakenly reported
Tax rate (0.9%) x 0.009
$3,000 on line 4d, column 1, and Additional Medicare Tax
Column 4 (tax correction) 243.00 withheld of $27 on line 4d, column 2. The difference in
wages subject to Additional Medicare Tax related to this
administrative error is $27,000 ($30,000 - $3,000).
Be sure to explain the reasons for this correction on
line 43.
Instructions for Qualified Wages Paid After March Instructions for Qualified Wages Paid After June
12, 2020, and Before July 1, 2021 30, 2021, and Before January 1, 2022
If you’re correcting the nonrefundable portion of the The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
employee retention credit for qualified wages paid after ! amends section 3134 of the Internal Revenue
CAUTION Code, as enacted under the ARP, to limit the
March 12, 2020, and before July 1, 2021, that you
reported on Form 944, line 8c, enter the total corrected availability of the employee retention credit in the fourth
amount from Worksheet 2, Step 2, line 2h, in column 1. In quarter of 2021 to employers that are recovery startup
column 2, enter the amount you originally reported or as businesses, as defined in section 3134(c)(5). Thus, for
previously corrected. In column 3, enter the difference wages paid after September 30, 2021, and before
between columns 1 and 2. January 1, 2022, only the wages paid by recovery startup
businesses can be qualified wages. See the 2021 revision
Copy the amount in column 3 to column 4. However, to of the Instructions for Form 944 for more information about
properly show the amount as a credit or balance due item, a recovery startup business.
enter a positive number in column 3 as a negative number
in column 4 or a negative number in column 3 as a If you're correcting the nonrefundable portion of the
positive number in column 4. For an example of how to employee retention credit for qualified wages paid after
report amounts in columns 1–4 for an employment tax June 30, 2021, and before January 1, 2022, that you
credit, see the instructions for line 16, earlier. reported on Form 944, line 8c, enter the total corrected
amount from Worksheet 4, Step 2, line 2h, in column 1. In
For more information about the employee retention column 2, enter the amount you originally reported or as
credit for qualified wages paid after March 12, 2020, and previously corrected. In column 3, enter the difference
before January 1, 2021, see Notice 2021-20. See Notice between columns 1 and 2.
2021-23, 2021-16 I.R.B. 1113, available at IRS.gov/irb/
2021-16_IRB#NOT-2021-23, for more information about Copy the amount in column 3 to column 4. However, to
the employee retention credit for qualified wages paid properly show the amount as a credit or balance due item,
after December 31, 2020, and before July 1, 2021. Also enter a positive number in column 3 as a negative number
see section IV of Notice 2021-49, 2021-34 I.R.B. 316, in column 4 or a negative number in column 3 as a
available at IRS.gov/irb/2021-34_IRB#NOT-2021-49; and positive number in column 4. For an example of how to
Rev. Proc. 2021-33. report amounts in columns 1–4 for an employment tax
credit, see the instructions for line 16, earlier.
Be sure to explain the reasons for this correction on
line 43. For more information about the employee retention
For corrections to a 2020 Form 944, the employee credit for qualified wages paid after June 30, 2021, and
TIP retention credit is only available for qualified before January 1, 2022, see Notice 2021-49 and Rev.
wages paid after March 12, 2020, and before Proc. 2021-33. See Notice 2021-65, 2021-51 I.R.B. 880,
January 1, 2021. For corrections to a 2021 Form 944, the available at IRS.gov/irb/2021-51_IRB#NOT-2021-65, for
employee retention credit is only available for qualified modifications to Notice 2021-49.
wages paid after December 31, 2020, and before October
1, 2021, unless the employer was a recovery startup Be sure to explain the reasons for this correction on
business. An employer that was a recovery startup line 43.
business could also claim the employee retention credit For corrections to a 2021 Form 944, the employee
for wages paid after September 30, 2021, and before TIP retention credit is only available for qualified
January 1, 2022. Adjustments to the nonrefundable wages paid after December 31, 2020, and before
portion of the employee retention credit for qualified October 1, 2021, unless the employer was a recovery
wages paid after March 12, 2020, and before July 1, startup business. An employer that was a recovery startup
2021, are reported on Form 944-X, line 17a, and business could also claim the employee retention credit
adjustments to the refundable portion of the credit are for wages paid after September 30, 2021, and before
reported on Form 944-X, line 26a. Adjustments to January 1, 2022. Adjustments to the nonrefundable
qualified wages for the employee retention credit are portion of the employee retention credit for qualified
reported on Form 944-X, line 30. Adjustments to qualified wages paid after June 30, 2021, and before January 1,
health plan expenses allocable to the employee retention 2022, are reported on Form 944-X, line 17a, and
credit are reported on Form 944-X, line 31. If you claimed adjustments to the refundable portion of the credit are
the employee retention credit on your original 2020 Form reported on Form 944-X, line 26a. Adjustments to
33. Qualified Sick Leave Wages for Leave Taken 37. Qualified Health Plan Expenses Allocable to
After March 31, 2021, and Before October 1, Qualified Family Leave Wages for Leave Taken
2021 After March 31, 2021, and Before October 1,
If you’re correcting the qualified sick leave wages for leave 2021
taken after March 31, 2021, and before October 1, 2021, If you’re correcting the qualified health plan expenses
that you reported on Form 944, line 19, enter the total allocable to qualified family leave wages for leave taken
corrected amount in column 1. In column 2, enter the after March 31, 2021, and before October 1, 2021, that
amount you originally reported or as previously corrected. you reported on Form 944, line 23, enter the total
In column 3, enter the difference between columns 1 and corrected amount for all employees in column 1. In
2. Enter the corrected amount from column 1 on column 2, enter the amount you originally reported or as
Worksheet 3, Step 2, line 2a. previously corrected. In column 3, enter the difference
between columns 1 and 2. Enter the corrected amount
Be sure to explain the reasons for this correction on
from column 1 on Worksheet 3, Step 2, line 2h.
line 43.
Be sure to explain the reasons for this correction on
34. Qualified Health Plan Expenses Allocable to line 43.
Qualified Sick Leave Wages for Leave Taken
After March 31, 2021, and Before October 1, 38. Amounts Under Certain Collectively
2021 Bargained Agreements Allocable to Qualified
If you’re correcting the qualified health plan expenses Family Leave Wages for Leave Taken After
allocable to qualified sick leave wages for leave taken March 31, 2021, and Before October 1, 2021
after March 31, 2021, and before October 1, 2021, that If you’re correcting the amounts under certain collectively
you reported on Form 944, line 20, enter the total bargained agreements allocable to qualified family leave
corrected amount for all employees in column 1. In wages for leave taken after March 31, 2021, and before
column 2, enter the amount you originally reported or as October 1, 2021, that you reported on Form 944, line 24,
previously corrected. In column 3, enter the difference enter the total corrected amount for all employees in
Provide the following information in your explanation of If you’re a paid preparer, enter your Preparer Tax
each correction. Identification Number (PTIN) in the space provided.
• Form 944-X line number(s) affected. Include your complete address. If you work for a firm,
• Date you discovered the error. enter the firm's name and the EIN of the firm. You can
• Amount of the error. apply for a PTIN online or by filing Form W-12. For more
• Cause of the error. information about applying for a PTIN online, go to
IRS.gov/PTIN. You can’t use your PTIN in place of the EIN
You may report the information in paragraph form. The of the tax preparation firm.
following paragraph is an example.
Generally, you’re not required to complete this section
“The $100 difference shown in column 3 of lines 6, 8, if you’re filing the return as a reporting agent and have a
and 12 was discovered on May 15, 2023, during an valid Form 8655 on file with the IRS. However, a reporting
internal payroll audit. We discovered that we included agent must complete this section if the reporting agent
$100 of wages for one of our employees twice. This offered legal advice, for example, advising the client on
correction removes the reported wages that were never determining whether its workers are employees or
paid.” independent contractors for federal tax purposes.
Step 1. Determine the corrected employer share of social security tax after it is reduced by any credit claimed on Form
8974 and any credit to be claimed on Form 5884-C and/or Form 5884-D
1a Enter the amount of social security wages from Form 944, Part 1, line 4a, column
1, or, if corrected, the amount from Form 944-X, line 8, column 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1a
1b Enter the amount of social security tips from Form 944, Part 1, line 4b, column 1,
or, if corrected, the amount from Form 944-X, line 11, column 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1b
1c Add lines 1a and 1b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1c
1d Multiply line 1c by 6.2% (0.062) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1d
1e If you're a third-party payer of sick pay that isn't an agent and you're claiming
credits for amounts paid to your employees, enter the employer share of social
security tax included on Form 944, Part 1, line 6, or, if corrected, the amount of the
employer share of social security tax on sick pay that you included on Form 944-X,
line 14, column 1 (enter as a negative number) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1e
1f Employer share of social security tax included on Form 944-X, line 19,
column 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1f
1g Employer share of social security tax. Combine lines 1d, 1e, and 1f . . . . . . . . . 1g
1h Enter the amount from Form 944, Part 1, line 8a, or, if corrected, the amount from
Form 944-X, line 15, column 1 (credit from Form 8974) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1h
1i Enter the amount from Form 5884-C, line 11, for this year (for 2020, this amount
was also included on Form 944, Part 3, line 19, or, if corrected, the amount from
Form 944-X, line 32, column 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1i
1j Enter the amount from Form 5884-D, line 12, for the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1j
1k Total nonrefundable credits already used against the employer share of
social security tax. Add lines 1h, 1i, and 1j . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1k
1l Employer share of social security tax remaining. Subtract line 1k
from line 1g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1l
Step 1. Determine the corrected employer share of social security tax after it is reduced by any credit claimed on Form
8974 and any credit to be claimed on Form 5884-C and/or Form 5884-D
1a If you completed Worksheet 1 to claim a credit for qualified sick and family leave
wages for leave taken after March 31, 2020, and before April 1, 2021, enter the
amount from Worksheet 1, Step 1, line 1l, and go to Step 2. If you're not claiming a
credit for qualified sick and family leave wages for leave taken after March 31, 2020,
and before April 1, 2021, continue by completing lines 1b–1m below and then go to
Step 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1a
1b Enter the amount of social security wages from Form 944, Part 1, line 4a, column 1,
or, if corrected, the amount from Form 944-X, line 8, column 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1b
1c Enter the amount of social security tips from Form 944, Part 1, line 4b, column 1, or,
if corrected, the amount from Form 944-X, line 11, column 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1c
1d Add lines 1b and 1c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1d
1e Multiply line 1d by 6.2% (0.062) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1e
1f If you're a third-party payer of sick pay that isn't an agent and you're claiming credits
for amounts paid to your employees, enter the employer share of social security tax
included on Form 944, Part 1, line 6, or, if corrected, the amount of the employer
social security tax on sick pay that you included on Form 944-X, line 14, column 1
(enter as a negative number) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1f
1g Employer share of social security tax included on Form 944-X, line 19,
column 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1g
1h Employer share of social security tax. Combine lines 1e, 1f, and 1g . . . . . . . . . . 1h
1i Enter the amount from Form 944, Part 1, line 8a, or, if corrected, the amount from
Form 944-X, line 15, column 1 (credit from Form 8974) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1i
1j Enter the amount from Form 5884-C, line 11, for this year (for 2020, this amount was
also included on Form 944, Part 3, line 19, or, if corrected, the amount from Form
944-X, line 32, column 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1j
1k Enter the amount from Form 5884-D, line 12, for this year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1k
1l Total nonrefundable credits already used against the employer share of
social security tax. Add lines 1i, 1j, and 1k . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1l
1m Employer share of social security tax remaining. Subtract line 1l
from line 1h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1m
Step 2. Figure the employee retention credit for qualified wages paid after March 12, 2020, and before July 1, 2021
Caution: For qualified wages paid before January 1, 2021, the cumulative total for
2020 that can be claimed on lines 2a and 2b can't exceed $10,000 per employee.
For qualified wages paid after December 31, 2020, and before July 1, 2021, the total
amount included on lines 2a and 2b is limited to a maximum of $10,000 per
employee in each of the first quarter and the second quarter of 2021 ($20,000 in
total for purposes of this worksheet).
2a Qualified wages (excluding qualified health plan expenses) for the employee
retention credit for qualified wages paid after March 12, 2020, and before January 1,
2021, for a 2020 Form 944, or qualified wages paid after December 31, 2020, and
before July 1, 2021, for a 2021 Form 944 (these qualified wages are included in the
total reported on Form 944, Part 3, line 17, or, if corrected, Form 944-X, line 30,
column 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2a
2b Qualified health plan expenses allocable to qualified wages for the employee
retention credit for qualified wages paid after March 12, 2020, and before January 1,
2021, for a 2020 Form 944, or qualified wages paid after December 31, 2020, and
before July 1, 2021, for a 2021 Form 944 (these qualified health plan expenses are
included in the total reported on Form 944, Part 3, line 18, or, if corrected, Form
944-X, line 31, column 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2b
2c Add lines 2a and 2b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2c
2d Retention credit. If you're correcting your 2020 Form 944, multiply line 2c by 50%
(0.50). If you're correcting your 2021 Form 944, multiply line 2c by 70%
(0.70) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2d
2e Enter the amount of the employer share of social security tax from Step 1, line 1a,
or, if applicable, Step 1, line 1m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2e
2f Enter the amount of the nonrefundable portion of the credit for qualified sick and
family leave wages for leave taken after March 31, 2020, and before April 1, 2021
(this amount may come from Worksheet 1, Step 2, line 2j, in these instructions if
you're correcting that credit for the year or you may need to enter the credit claimed
on your original Form 944) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2f
2g Subtract line 2f from line 2e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2g
2h Nonrefundable portion of employee retention credit. Enter the smaller of
line 2d or line 2g. Enter this amount on Form 944-X, line 17a, column 1 . . . . . . . . . . 2h
2i Refundable portion of employee retention credit. Subtract line 2h from line 2d
and enter this amount on Form 944-X, line 26a, column 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2i
Step 2. Figure the employee retention credit for qualified wages paid after June 30, 2021, and before January 1, 2022
Caution: You must be a recovery startup business to claim the employee retention
credit for qualified wages paid after September 30, 2021, and before January 1,
2022 (fourth quarter 2021). The total amount included on lines 2a and 2b is limited
to a maximum of $10,000 per employee in each of the third quarter and the fourth
quarter of 2021 ($20,000 in total for purposes of this worksheet).
2a Qualified wages (excluding qualified health plan expenses) for the employee
retention credit for qualified wages paid after June 30, 2021, and before January 1,
2022 (these qualified wages are included in the total reported on Form 944, Part 3,
line 17, or, if corrected, Form 944-X, line 30, column 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2a
2b Qualified health plan expenses allocable to qualified wages for the employee
retention credit for qualified wages paid after June 30, 2021, and before January 1,
2022 (these qualified health plan expenses are included in the total reported on
Form 944, Part 3, line 18, or, if corrected, Form 944-X, line 31, column 1) . . . . . . . 2b
2c Add lines 2a and 2b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2c
2d Retention credit. Multiply line 2c by 70% (0.70). If you qualify for the employee
retention credit solely because your business is a recovery startup business, don't
enter more than $50,000 for each of the third quarter and the fourth quarter of 2021
($100,000 in total for the year) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2d
2e Enter the amount of the employer share of Medicare tax from Step 1, line 1a, or, if
applicable, Step 1, line 1f . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2e
2f Enter the amount of the nonrefundable portion of the credit for qualified sick and
family leave wages for leave taken after March 31, 2021, and before October 1,
2021 (this amount may come from Worksheet 3, Step 2, line 2r, in these instructions
if you're correcting that credit or you may need to enter the credit claimed on your
original Form 944) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2f
2g Subtract line 2f from line 2e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2g
2h Nonrefundable portion of employee retention credit. Enter the smaller of
line 2d or line 2g. Enter this amount on Form 944-X, line 17a, column 1 . . . . . . . . . 2h
2i Refundable portion of employee retention credit. Subtract line 2h from line 2d
and enter this amount on Form 944-X, line 26a, column 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2i
Paperwork Reduction Act Notice. We ask for the If you have comments concerning the accuracy of
information on Form 944-X to carry out the Internal these time estimates or suggestions for making Form
Revenue laws of the United States. We need it to figure 944-X simpler, we would be happy to hear from you. You
and collect the right amount of tax. Subtitle C, can send us comments from IRS.gov/FormComments. Or
Employment Taxes, of the Internal Revenue Code you can send your comments to: Internal Revenue
imposes employment taxes, including federal income tax Service, Tax Forms and Publications Division, 1111
withholding, on wages. This form is used to determine the Constitution Ave. NW, IR-6526, Washington, DC 20224.
amount of taxes you owe. Section 6011 requires you to Don’t send Form 944-X to this address. Instead, see
provide the requested information if the tax applies to you. Where Should You File Form 944-X, earlier.
You’re not required to provide the information
requested on a form that is subject to the Paperwork