reading time: 9 minute(s)

As April 30 draws near, it’s time for employers to file their quarterly Form 941. While most businesses are familiar with filing the form, some still wonder when they should file Form 941 rather than  Form 944. Understanding the difference between these two forms is key to avoiding filing errors and IRS notices.

Form 941 

Form 941, also referred to as the Employer’s Quarterly Tax Return, is a form used to report employment taxes to the IRS. This form reports taxes that employers withhold from their employees. These include income taxes, social security taxes, and Medicare taxes.  

Who Needs to File Form 941?

Employers are required to file Form 941 each quarter of the year. However, certain exceptions apply. Seasonal businesses that do not pay wages in a given quarter are not required to file for that period. Employers of household employees, farm workers, or those with minimal tax liability may also be exempt from filing the form.

941 Filing Deadlines

Businesses are required to file Form 941 every quarter, with the due dates generally scheduled as follows:

• January 31
• April 30
• July 31
• October 31

*If one of these dates falls on a national holiday or weekend, you will file on the next business day.

Schedule B (Form 941)

Schedule B is an attached form filed with Form 941. Businesses that follow a semiweekly deposit schedule and report more than $50,000 in employment taxes must submit this form with their Form 941.

What is Form 944?

Form 944, also known as the Employer’s Annual Federal Tax Return, is used to report payroll taxes, much like Form 941. However, unlike Form 941, which is filed quarterly, Form 944 is filed annually. The deadline to file Form 944 is January 31.

Who Needs To File Form 944?

This form is for small businesses with a tax liability of $1,000 or less. If your business has a tax liability of $1,000 or more, you are required to file Form 941 instead.

Employers can request to file Forms 941, 941-PR, or 941-SS instead of the Form 944. To do so employers must contact the IRS and request to file quarterly Forms 941, 941-SS, or 941-PR and opt out of filing Form 944. 

While employers are generally required to file Form 944, certain employers are ineligible to file this form, including:

• Employers of household employees
• Employers of agricultural workers
• Employers who received confirmation from the IRS to use file Form 944

For more detailed information about Form 941 vs 944, click here.

Take Advantage of Both Forms with TaxBandits

Whether you’re a small or large employer, TaxBandits provides tailored solutions to meet all your needs. Our intuitive platform is designed to make tax filing as seamless as possible, offering features such as bulk uploading for multiple returns at once, the ability to easily copy prior returns for faster submissions, and multi-e-sign functionality that allows you to get all necessary signatures in one streamlined process. With TaxBandits, filing becomes smoother and more convenient, offering a quick and easy.

Now that you know the difference, get started filing your 941 forms today!

Significant updates and changes have recently been made to Form 941. To stay informed about the latest filing requirements, join our live webinar on April 16, 2025, at 2 P.M. EST. Sign up now to learn about the key changes you need to know.