The IRS provides resources for tax-exempt organizations that compensate workers. Voluntary Settlement Classification Program Employers who reclassify workers as employees may qualify for partial employment tax relief under this voluntary compliance program. What are employment taxes? If a tax-exempt organization (EO) has employees, the EO is responsible for Federal Income Tax Withholding and Social Security and Medicare taxes. In addition, some EOs are responsible for Federal Unemployment Tax. Independent contractors vs. employees Are the workers for a tax-exempt organization independent contractors or employees? Before the EO can know how to treat payments it makes for services, the EO must first know the business relationship that exists between the organization and the person performing the services. Electronic filing and payment options for employment tax returns Electronic filing and payment options are available to exempt organizations for the employment tax and information returns required if they pay workers. Federal tax deposits An EO generally must deposit employment taxes and certain excise taxes before it files its return. Employment tax requirements The basic requirements for tax and wage reporting compliance, including determining if an EIN is necessary, calculating withholding, making deposits, and keeping tax and reporting records. Employment Taxes and the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty (TFRP) The Trust Fund Recovery Penalty (TFRP) may be assessed against any person, including an officer, director, employee or a member of a board of trustees of a tax-exempt organization, who is responsible for collecting or paying withheld income and employment taxes, or for paying collected excise taxes, and willfully fails to collect or pay them. Employment tax forms A listing of the common employment tax forms that a tax-exempt organization would need. Employment tax publications Two key publications on employment tax issues are Publication 15, (Circular E), Employer's Tax Guide, and Publication 15-A, Employer's Supplemental Tax Guide. This section provides a listing of, and links to, these and other common employment tax publications that a tax-exempt organization would need. Employment tax notices A listing of IRS notices on employment tax issues that may be of interest to tax-exempt organizations. Employment tax resources for exempt organizations Additional resources on employment tax issues for tax-exempt organizations. Interactive training Learn more about the benefits, limitations and expectations of tax-exempt organizations by attending 10 courses at the online Small to Mid-Size Tax Exempt Organization Workshop. Return to Life Cycle of a Public Charity Return to Life Cycle of a Private Foundation Return to Life Cycle of a Social Welfare Organization Return to Life Cycle of a Labor Organization Return to Life Cycle of an Agricultural or Horticultural Organization Return to Life Cycle of a Business League (Trade Association)
