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New Member
posted Jun 4, 2019 1:32:43 PM

Does a sole proprietor of an S-corp create a k-1 & 1099 or W2?

I paid myself by writing checks from my S-Corp to my self throughout the year but didn't W2 or 1099 myself... I was told it would be considered a draw and already included in the information I inputted. But I was also told to buy the turbotax software and it isn't too late to create a Schedule K-1 and W-2 for 2015 before I file? or a 1099 instead of a W2? Help! Im filing my S-Corp and personal taxes but haven't filled out a schedule K-1 or W2 (or 1099?).Confused on what I need or still can fill out to show that I personally paid myself by writing checks.

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1 Best answer
Expert Alumni
Jun 4, 2019 1:32:45 PM

As the sole owner of a Sub-S corporation, any compensation that the corporation pays you (you have to think of the corporation as a separate entity) is to be reported as wages, on a W-2. 

You're supposed to withhold income taxes, and employment taxes (Social Security and Medicare and FUTA) on your wages, and the corporation pays the employer's part of those payroll taxes, and the corporation files quarterly tax returns during the year to report the payroll taxes and withholding and makes payments, usually monthly, with the IRS.

You are late in doing this, although there is still time to file a W-2 with Social Security (2/29 for paper file, 3/31 for efiling).

You are definitely late because you haven't been withholding and reporting properly all year. You can file these forms (941s /940) late with the IRS, but you will be subject to penalties.

I urge you to consider finding a tax professional to help you get back on the right track with the IRS as soon as possible, at least to get you started in the right direction.

Please see these links for more information: https://www.socialsecurity.gov/employer/filingDeadlines.htm

https://www.irs.gov/uac/Wage-Compensation-for-S-Corporation-Officers

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p15.pdf

24 Replies
Expert Alumni
Jun 4, 2019 1:32:45 PM

As the sole owner of a Sub-S corporation, any compensation that the corporation pays you (you have to think of the corporation as a separate entity) is to be reported as wages, on a W-2. 

You're supposed to withhold income taxes, and employment taxes (Social Security and Medicare and FUTA) on your wages, and the corporation pays the employer's part of those payroll taxes, and the corporation files quarterly tax returns during the year to report the payroll taxes and withholding and makes payments, usually monthly, with the IRS.

You are late in doing this, although there is still time to file a W-2 with Social Security (2/29 for paper file, 3/31 for efiling).

You are definitely late because you haven't been withholding and reporting properly all year. You can file these forms (941s /940) late with the IRS, but you will be subject to penalties.

I urge you to consider finding a tax professional to help you get back on the right track with the IRS as soon as possible, at least to get you started in the right direction.

Please see these links for more information: https://www.socialsecurity.gov/employer/filingDeadlines.htm

https://www.irs.gov/uac/Wage-Compensation-for-S-Corporation-Officers

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p15.pdf

New Member
Jun 4, 2019 1:32:46 PM

second link not working properly

New Member
Jun 4, 2019 1:32:48 PM

This is not entirely accurate.  Not all amounts paid to the shareholder need to be classified as wages.  While a reasonable wage should be paid, non-wage distributions from a profitable corporation should also be expected.

Level 3
Sep 13, 2019 10:26:48 AM

What would be considered a reasonable wage for a s-corp in only it's second year of operation, the first year being a short period and a loss(2017)? 10-15% of income?

Alumni
Sep 13, 2019 11:06:19 AM

If you had been hired to do that job, what would be a reasonable salary to expect to be paid?

Level 15
Sep 13, 2019 4:23:34 PM

OK ... first if the S-corp is not on extension (due 9/16) then the corp return is very late and the penalties/interest is piling up.  And if this is your first time filing an 1120-S then local professional help is highly recommended to get educated on what is expected and required. 

 

Next ... if you will attempt this yourself you need 2 tax programs ... one for the corp and one for the personal return .... and the corp return MUST be completed FIRST. 

 

To prepare a corporate, trust or partnership return you would need Turbotax Business.  This is a separate program from Turbotax Home and Business.  TT Business is a program only available for desktop windows use (there is no on-line or Mac version.) 

http://turbotax.intuit.com/small-business-taxes/

https://turbotax.intuit.com/small-business-taxes/forms-business.jsp

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1917225-is-turbotax-business-right-for-me

 

To prepare a personal return, depending on the complexity, you will need a version that prepares Forms 1040 such as Deluxe, Premier, Home and Business, etc.   If you have a Schedule K-1 from either a Form 1120-S, Form 1065 or Form 1041 you will need either the Premier version or (if you also have an unincorporated business) the Self Employed version when using the online program.  

All the 2018 downloaded programs will handle the personal return.

View this product guide chart to see which product is best for you:
https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/cd-download/

Returning Member
Jan 29, 2021 10:42:24 PM

Hello,

 

I appreciate your discussion here. I am a little confused, because I am the only officer/individual for an LLC taxed as an S corp. The LLC earned X dollars last year, and transferred Y to my personal account. On my 1120S, I put Y for Compensation of officers. I'm the only officer.

 

This then generates a K-1, not a W-2.

 

I then took the K-1 and entered it on my 1040. I notice on statement A, referring to box 17, it has
W-2 Wages: Y(the amount I transferred to myself).

 

So I entered that in the correct place on my box 17.

 

The problem is, no matter what amount I put there, it doesn't seem to change my tax refund. This is concerning to me, because even if I double it, it still doesn't change my tax refund.  

 

I am reading that this is because it does not reflect my income, but the total paid.

 

So how do I make sure it's reflected as income?  

 

The 1120S does not produce a W-2, and I am reading I wouldn't get a W-2 anyway as an officer.

 

Can you tell me why it wouldn't affect my refund?

Level 15
Jan 30, 2021 12:56:30 AM

other than an S-Corp whose only activity is passive. the officer(s) are supposed to take reasonable compensation for the services they perform.  that has to be reported on a w-2. payroll tax returns have to be filed and payroll taxes that are withheld need to be paid in on a timely basis.  failure can result in substantial penalties.   

 

line 17 is an info only box for QBI purposes that goes nowhere.  as a matter of fact what's on line 17 should really be on line 16D.  can't say if reporting wages on line 17 will result in an audit when your s-corp did not file w-2's.  what you took out of the corporation is not wages but distributions of the profits which does not affect your 1040.  what it does is reduce your basis in the entity.  

 

you need to see a tax pro to get educated on tax and other things an S-Corp has to do before the IRS pays you a call. 

   

Returning Member
Jan 30, 2021 2:51:57 AM

Thanks for your response.   When I talked to a CPA last year, he said just put it as compensation of officers.  I did so, and that's what I was planning to do this year.  In doing so, I don't see how a w2 is generated?  

 

Am I supposed to be paying something throughout the year, outside of the tax software?  This is what is confusing to me.  

Expert Alumni
Jan 31, 2021 9:59:50 AM

You should be paying yourself reasonable compensation throughout the year and reporting the income on a W-2.

 

You would be remitting state and federal withholding taxes and filing Federal 941, 940, state equivalents and, possibly, state unemployment taxes.

 

Your state and local governments may have specific requirements that can vary quite a bit from state to state.

 

See this IRS publication.

Level 3
Jan 31, 2021 12:01:28 PM

The line 21 net income or loss flows to personal return, last year would have been schedule 1, line 5 which is carried forward to line 7a of your 1040 and you pay tax on the distribution there. Then if the income is QBI you can deduct 20% of it on the 8995. 

 

The IRS looks that your report at least some of this net income as wages, thus the need for a W-2. Even though you are paying yourself, you still need to file federal 941's for Social Security and Medicare at 15.3%. Most people make estimated payments for federal, and possibly state, as required. Then you don't have to "withhold" federal or state tax for the W-2, that is simplest. But issuing a W-2 means you then need to file a W-3 along with a copy of the W-2 you prepare for yourself. Pain in the @ss but a evil necessity as a sub-s corp. The IRS doesn't look kindly upon just paying tax on the distribution. They want their 941 money. But the wages and payroll taxes you incur serve to reduce the net income/distribution of the s corp. Unfortunately for this year the W-3 and W-2 copy are due by tomorrow February 1st, 2021.

 

Good luck and sorry for the late response. 

 

 

 

 

New Member
Jan 31, 2021 7:31:34 PM

Hello,

 

Well, I'm in need of some education as it pertains to my S-Corp. I too am the sole officer/owner and set it up myself to help reduce my tax liability. Frankly, I don't know what the "He" double hockey sticks I'm doing. That being said, I made less than 80% of what I estimated, and paid 3/4 of the estimated taxes to both the Franchise Tax Board and Feds. I am in the same boat with needing to submit W2 by tomorrow, and never withheld Social Security and Medicare. Am I understanding correctly, since I paid estimated federal and state taxes, am I alright with not deducting for SS & Medicare? 

 

I hope I'm being clear.

 

Thank you,

Level 15
Feb 1, 2021 12:07:48 AM

you shouldn't file a w-2/w-3 since you haven't filed payroll tax returns (form 941 and 940 + any state payroll tax returns that might have been required) to report wages paid and the FICA, Medicare, and Unemployment Taxes you should have paid. the penalties for failure to file and pay can be severe.  see a pro to get educated because you need more help than can be provided in this forum.  

Level 3
Feb 1, 2021 6:26:45 AM

I agree ...don’t file the 941/w-3 but let’s not get our panties in a wad here. No need to run out and hire outside help unless you want to. If this is your first year filing for this S-Corp and your revenue is way low I would just be proactive going forward this year. File 941 quarterlies even if it just a small amount. Any remittance is better than none. Then reconcile at year end. Most small businesses don’t know their income/loss until year end and there fore file their largest 942 payment on January 15th. That’s advice I got from another CPA( yes I am one too) back when I started my s Corp in 2016. Just make sure you file the informational 1120s and k-1 by March 15th because those penalties are ridiculous....but can be abated if it’s your first offense. And that’s a fact from personal experience. 

Returning Member
Mar 9, 2021 5:01:11 PM

Hello,

 

For 2020, I did a 1099-NEC for myself as a single member LLC.  Another CPA told me to start doing W-2s for myself, treating myself as an employee.

 

I now intend to do that, and I understand I need to report/pay quarterly for withholding.

 

My question is, how is this done?  

 

I have an account here:

https://www.ssa.gov/bso/ for SSA, but I think that's just to generate a W-2 at the end of the year?

 

And now I have created an account here: https://www.eftps.gov/eftps/  

 

I have to wait till my pin arrives in the mail.

 

But how do I actually make the quarterly payments for withholding?  Thank you,

Level 1
Mar 9, 2021 5:14:29 PM

Yes, you will need to treat yourself as an employee of your corporation and pay quarterly payroll taxes by filing Form 941 and annual Form 940 with the IRS.

 

You can find how to do that here:

 

E-File Employment Tax Forms

 

You also can find lots of useful information here:

 

How to Pay Employer Federal Taxes

Returning Member
Mar 9, 2021 5:30:05 PM

Thank you.

 

So on that page, it says you can pay through IRS approved software, which you'd have to buy.

 

But then at the bottom, it shows 

 Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)

 

So can I use EFTPS for this?

 

Also, if I have more than one LLC as SCorp, do I need a new EFTPS account for each one, or can you have a single account with multiple EINs?

Expert Alumni
Mar 9, 2021 5:44:07 PM

You can use the EFTPS website to pay in your payroll taxes. You need to set up a separate account for each business under each federal ID number.

Returning Member
Mar 9, 2021 6:27:51 PM

Thank you, but when I set up the account, there was afterward an option for "add additional taxpayer account" or something?  I just didn't know if I could add all the EINs to a single account.

 

Also, so you use this site for quarterly payments, but do you use BSO on SSA for the actual w-2 at the end of the year?

Expert Alumni
Mar 9, 2021 6:46:12 PM

Yes, you can use BSO to report wages to the Social Security Administration.

 

The service offers fast, free, and secure online W-2 filing options to CPAs, accountants, enrolled agents, and individuals who process W-2s (the Wage and Tax Statement) and W-2Cs (Statement of Corrected Income and Tax Amounts).

 

@Deeter

Returning Member
Mar 9, 2021 8:18:14 PM

So this is what I'm trying to understand.

 

I have a single member LLC, which is taxed as an S-corp.

 

 

Am I correct that I use BSO once a year to create a W-2, and EFTPS quarterly to pay taxes/deal with withholding, or do I have that wrong?

Expert Alumni
Mar 10, 2021 9:54:51 AM

A single member LLC taxed as an S corporation would pay you as an employee on a W-2.

 

Social Security Business Service Online can report your W-2 income.

 

EFTPS can report your Federal withholding taxes.

 

You will likely have a state department of revenue to report state withholding taxes.

 

 

 

 

Returning Member
Mar 10, 2021 10:06:06 AM

Thank you.  This is what I'm a bit confused about.

 

I have a BSO account, registered the EIN, but where in BSO do I report W-2 income, and is that done quarterly or yearly?

 

Just signed up for EFTPS account.  I'm guessing that is quarterly.

 

I'm familiar with state method.

 

Thanks!

Expert Alumni
Mar 10, 2021 5:16:09 PM

You use the BSO to prepare the W-2 form at the end of the year only. 

 

You use the EFTPS to deposit your payroll taxes weekly, monthly or quarterly, depending on how much tax you have to pay. As a rule, if you owe less than $2,500 in taxes at the end of a quarter, you can pay them in when you file your form 941 each quarter. Otherwise, you need to make a deposit on a weekly or monthly basis.