Form 843
Form 843 is a multifunctional IRS form that can be used by both individuals and authorized representatives. This article covers the purpose of IRS Form 843 and its filing instructions.
Form 843, Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement, is an IRS document used to request an abatement of interest or penalties and a refund of certain assessed taxes. It can be used to request an abatement for income, estate, gift, and employment tax penalties. Taxpayers can file this form by themselves, but it can also be filed by an authorized representative. The authorized representative is typically a tax professional who fills out and submits the form on behalf of the taxpayer.
Form 843 is used to ask the government for administrative relief from certain penalties under the first-time penalty abatement policy. This provision has been in place since 2001, and it allows you to request a waiver of a failure to file, pay, or make a tax deposit penalty.
When to file Form 843?
Generally, the IRS requires you to file Form 843 within two years of when you paid your tax liability or three years from the date you filed your tax return, whichever is later. However, if you have a valid reason for filing late, you can wait until the IRS has completed its audit process before you file. The IRS has a detailed list of the taxes and fees that apply to Form 843 on its website, so it is important to check this before you file. For example, you cannot use this form to request a refund for gift tax overpayment, estate tax overpayment, the Additional Medicare Tax, or excise taxes that result from nontaxable fuels.
If you request a penalty abatement, the Internal Revenue Code section that applies to that penalty should be written on line 4 of the form. You should also write your address on line 2. A qualified tax professional can help you determine which types of taxes and fees qualify for abatement and will be able to fill out the forms on your behalf. They can also provide you with strategies and help to resolve any issues that may arise during the abatement process.
How to fill out Form 843?
If filing jointly, taxpayers must first input the following:
- Their personal information on this form, including their name, Social Security number, address, and spouse’s SSN or ITIN.
- They must indicate which tax period they want to apply for the abatement and explain the circumstances and problems supporting their request.
- You can attach extra pages to this form if you need more room to explain your reasons for requesting a refund or abatement.
- You must also include a copy of any supporting documentation.
Another reason why a taxpayer may use this form is to request an abatement of excess Social Security or Medicare taxes withheld from a paycheck. This can happen when a worker overpays their Social Security or Medicare tax because their employer refuses to adjust the amount collected. If you want to claim an abatement of an excess FICA or Railroad Retirement Tax Act (RRTA) tax, talk with a tax professional before submitting this form. If you have a history of filing on time and making payments, the government will most likely be willing to reduce or waive this penalty for you. You can file Form 843 online by going to the IRS website. You can also submit it by letter or phone if you prefer. Once you have the form completed, submit it to the IRS as soon as possible.