- 3.24.154 Unemployment Tax Returns
- 3.24.154.1 Program Scope and Objectives
- 3.24.154.1.1 Background
- 3.24.154.1.2 Authority
- 3.24.154.1.3 Roles and Responsibilities
- 3.24.154.1.4 Program Management and Review
- 3.24.154.1.5 Program Controls
- 3.24.154.1.6 Terms and Acronyms
- 3.24.154.1.7 Related Resources
- 3.24.154.2 Local Desk Procedures Guidelines
- 3.24.154.3 Introduction
- 3.24.154.3.1 Control Documents
- 3.24.154.3.2 Source Documents
- 3.24.154.3.3 Form/Program Number/Tax Class and Document Code
- 3.24.154.4 Specific Instructions for Entry of Data
- 3.24.154.4.1 Required Sections
- 3.24.154.4.2 MUST ENTER Fields
- 3.24.154.5 ISRP Transcription Operation Sheets
- Exhibit 3.24.154-1 Block Header Data Entry-Form 813 or Form 1332 for Original Input Documents and Form 3893 for Re-Entry Document Control
- Exhibit 3.24.154-2 Section 01 Form 940, Form 940 (PR) and Form 940 (sp) (Program 11100) (All Revisions)
- Exhibit 3.24.154-3 Section 02 Form 940, Form 940 (PR) and Form 940 (sp) (Program 11100) (All Revisions)
- Exhibit 3.24.154-4 Section 03 Form 940, Form 940 (PR) and Form 940 (sp) (Program 11100) (All Revisions)
- Exhibit 3.24.154-5 Section 05 through Section 07 Form 940, Form 940 (PR) and Form 940 (sp) (Schedule A (Anexo A) (Program 11100) (All Revisions)
- 3.24.154.1 Program Scope and Objectives
Part 3. Submission Processing
Chapter 24. ISRP System
Section 154. Unemployment Tax Returns
3.24.154 Unemployment Tax Returns
Manual Transmittal
December 03, 2024
Purpose
(1) This transmits revised IRM 3.24.154, ISRP System, Unemployment Tax Returns.
Material Changes
(1) IRM 3.24.154.1, Line (4), Updated Wage and Investment to Taxpayer Services.
(2) IRM 3.24.154.1, Line (5), Updated Paper Processing Branch to Return Processing Branch.
(3) Editorial corrections and consistency changes made throughout including spelling, grammar, punctuation and formatting, removing italics, updating titles, correcting IRM links, Plain Language updates to improve readability, etc.
Effect on Other Documents
IRM 3.24.154, ISRP System, Unemployment Tax Returns, dated November 14, 2023 (effective date January 01, 2024), is superseded.Audience
Taxpayer Services, Submission Processing Sites, Data Conversion Operation EmployeesEffective Date
(01-01-2025)James L. Fish
Director, Submission Processing
Customer Account Services
Taxpayer Services
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This IRM provides instructions for entering and verifying data from unemployment forms, schedules and block control forms using the Integrated Submission and Remittance Processing System (ISRP).
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This chapter also provides information for Quality Review in performing the review of information transcribed on ISRP.
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Use IRM 1.11.10, Internal Management Documents System, Interim Guidance Process, and elevate through the proper channels for operational situations, temporary procedures, pilot programs, or a change to current procedures.
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Purpose: The instructions in this IRM apply to the processing of paper filed Form 940, Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax Return, Form 940 (PR), Planilla Para La Declaracion Federal Anual Del Patrono De La Contribucion Federal Para El Desempieo (FUTA) (Puerto Rico - Spanish version) and Form 940 (sp) , Declaracion del Impuesto Federal Anual del Empleador del Impuesto Federal para el Desempleo (FUTA) through ISRP.
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Audience: Submission Processing Data Conversion Operation personnel including general clerks, leads and supervisors. These instructions apply to all campuses.
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Policy Owner: The Director, Submission Processing, Taxpayer Services.
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Program Owner: Mail Management Data Conversion Section, Return Processing Branch (an Organization within Submission Processing).
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Primary Stakeholders: Those affected by these procedures or have input to the procedures including a change in workflow, additional duties, change in established time frames, and similar issues include:
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Accounts Management (AM)
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Chief Counsel
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Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
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Compliance Strategy and Policy
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Information Technology (IT) Programmers
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Operations Business Support
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Office of Servicewide Penalties
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Small Business/Self Employed (SB/SE)
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Submission Processing (SP)
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Tax Exempt/Government Entities (TEGE)
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Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS)
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Program Goals: Capture unemployment data through data transcription of information via the ISRP system and output records downstream through Generalized Mainline Framework (GMF) and other related systems. ISRP is an application designed to capture, format, and forward information related to tax submissions and remittances in electronically readable formats to downstream IRS systems. Forward any remittances received with a tax document to the Remittance Processing function for processing and deposit.
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Filers send paper unemployment forms to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to fulfill their requirement to file an annual unemployment tax return and provide their taxpayer identification number (TIN). The IRS must convert the information present on the paper filings to an electronic data record. Employees input and validate the data present and the IRS systems for these records during conversion to electronic data records.
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Authority for these procedures is in Title 26 of the United States Code (USC) or more commonly known as the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). The IRC is amended by acts, public laws, treasury determinations, rules, and regulations such as the following:
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American Taxpayer Relief Act (ATRA)
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Consolidated Appropriations Act (Extenders)
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Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act
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Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act
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The Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA)
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The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act
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IRM 1.2.1.4, Servicewide Policies and Authorities, Policy Statements for Submission Processing Activities contains all policy statements for Submission Processing:
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Code sections that provide the IRS with the authority to issue levies.
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Congressional Acts that outline additional authorities and responsibilities like the Travel and Transportation Reform Act of 1998 or the Tax Act of 1986.
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Policy Statements that provide authority for the work done.
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The Director, Submission Processing approves and authorizes issuance of this IRM.
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The Planning and Analysis Staff provides feedback and supports local management to monitor and achieve scheduled goals.
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The Operation Manager secures, assigns and provides training for the staff needed to perform the duties presented in this IRM.
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The Team Manager assigns, monitors, and controls the workflow to complete the work timely.
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The Employee applies the instruction for the duties presented in this IRM on the ISRP system to accurately convert paper data to an electronic data record for proper posting for use by the IRS.
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Program Reports: The reports listed below show work schedules, receipts, production and inventory for conversion of paper returns to electronic data. Management uses these reports to monitor the daily and weekly status of the program through completion.
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PCC 2240, Daily Production Report - Program Sequence
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PCC 6040, SC WP&C Performance and Cost Report
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PCC 6240, SC WP&C Program Analysis Report
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PCB 0440, Daily Workload and Staff hours Schedule
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PCB 0540, Weekly Workload and Staffing Schedule
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Program Effectiveness: Management measures weekly goals using the above reports for each function compared to the established completion schedule. Each function must complete the inventory on or before the program completion date, and to retain or exceed schedule prior to the program completion date stated in IRM 3.30.123, Work Planning and Control Processing Timeliness: Cycles, Criteria, and Critical Dates. Local Management conducts and monitors quality reviews and takes corrective action to ensure quality products. Managerial and product reviews supplement the quality review process.
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Annual Review: Management reviews the processes in this manual annually to ensure accuracy and promote consistent tax administration.
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Management can use local reports to establish additional information for maintaining daily program control. Local reports never replace the established official reports.
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The following is a list of the acronyms used in this IRM section, this IRM uses prompts for data entry defined in the charts.
Acronyms Definition ABC Alphanumeric Block Control BMF Business Master File CCC Computer Condition Code DLN Document Locator Number EIN Employer Identification Number EOP Entry Operator FUTA Federal Unemployment Tax Act GMF Generalized Mainline Framework IRM Internal Revenue Manual ISRP Integrated Submission and Remittance Processing System KV Key Verification MCC Major City Code OE Original Entry PCD Program Completion Date PTIN Preparer Taxpayer Identification Numbers SOP Supervisory Operator SSN Social Security Number TIN Taxpayer Identification Number
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The following table lists the IRM primary sources of guidance on the processing of paper filed Unemployment forms and schedules.
IRM Title Guidance on IRM 3.10.5 Campus Mail and Work Control - Batch/Block Tracking System (BBTS) utilizing BBTS to drop unit production cards for daily incoming receipts and production IRM 3.10.72 Campus Mail and Work Control - Receiving, Extracting, and Sorting receiving, extracting, sorting, and routing mail within the Submission Processing campuses IRM 3.10.73 Campus Mail and Work Control - Batching and Numbering batching and numbering with a document locator number (DLN) of documents IRM 3.11.154 Returns and Documents Analysis - Unemployment Tax Returns document perfection to code and edit (perfect) returns and other documents for input to the Master File (MF) through the Integrated Submission and Remittance Processing System (ISRP) or the Service Center Recognition/Image Processing System (SCRIPS) IRM 3.24.38 BMF General Instructions workstation functions, workstation keyboard, windows environment and general instruction for entering data for tax returns and related data through ISRP -
Document 7071-A, Name Control Job Aid - For Use Outside of the Entity Area.
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You can find IRM’s on Servicewide Electronic Research Program (SERP) at the following site: SERP. Specific instructional links available on the BMF Data Conversion Research Portal at: BMF Data Conversion Research Portal.
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IRM 3.13.62, Campus Document Services, Media Transport and Control, or IRM 10.5.1, Privacy and Information Protection - Privacy Policy, provides information on shipping Personally Identifiable Information (PII). This document is located at: http://publish.no.irs.gov/mailtran/pii.html, titled Postal and Transport Policy. Prepare Form 3210, Document Transmittal, and include with ship documents.
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Some Submission Processing Campuses have developed local use Desk Procedures. These procedures must only supplement existing Headquarters’ procedures or convey local routing procedures.
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All existing local procedures require review by the Operation Manager or designated employee upon receipt of Information Alerts, Questions and Answers (SERP Feedback) or a new IRM revision to ensure conformance with Headquarters Procedures.
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Unit managers must have a signed approval, on file, from the responsible Operation Manager for all Submission Processing Local Desk Procedures.
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This IRM section describes certain tasks necessary in the processing of Form 940, Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax Return, Form 940 (PR), Planilla Para La Declaracion Federal Anual Del Patrono De La Contribucion Federal Para El Desempieo (FUTA) (Puerto Rico - Spanish version) and Form 940 (sp), Declaracion del Impuesto Federal Anual del Empleador del Impuesto Federal para el Desempleo (FUTA) filed on paper with the Integrated Submission and Remittance Processing System (ISRP).
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Submit IRM deviations in writing following instructions from IRM 1.11.2.2, Internal Management Documents System - Internal Revenue Manual (IRM) Process Standards and elevate through proper channels for executive approval. No deviations.
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The IRS adopted the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TBOR) lists rights that already existed in the tax code, putting them in simple language and grouping them into 10 fundamental rights. It is the employees responsibility to become familiar with and to act in accord with taxpayer rights. See IRC 7803(a)(3), Execution of Duties in Accord with Taxpayer Rights, and additional information on the Taxpayer Bill of Rights site at the following location: https://www.irs.gov/taxpayer-bill-of-rights.
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The following is a list of control documents associated with the transcription of data:
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Form 813, Document Register
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Form 1332, Block and Selection Record
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Form 3893, Re-entry Document Control Slip
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The instructions in this section apply only to the form types listed below:
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Form 940, Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax Return
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Form 940 Schedule A, Multi-State Employer and Credit Reduction Information
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Form 940 Schedule R, Allocation Schedule for Aggregate Form 940 Filers
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Form 940 (PR), Planilla Para La Declaracion Federal Anual Del Patrono De La Contribucion Federal Para El Desempieo (FUTA) (Puerto Rico - Spanish version)
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Form 940 Schedule A (PR), Información para Empleadores o Patronos de Múltiples Estados y sobre Reducciones en el Crédito (Puerto Rico - Spanish version)
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Form 940 (sp), Declaracion del Impuesto Federal Anual del Empleador del Impuesto Federal para el Desempleo (FUTA) (Spanish Version)
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Form 940 Schedule A (sp), Información para Empleadore de Múltiples Estados y sobre Reducciones en el Crédito (Spanish Version)
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Form 940(cg), Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment Tax Return-Computer Generated
Note:
This return reports the same Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax as Form 940. The return is computer generated rather than hand-written or typed and is filed by Examination or Collection personnel based on secured taxpayer information (i.e., as a Secured return) rather than mailed by the taxpayer. Also, in Compliance, some revenue officers use Form 940(cg) returns under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) 6020(b) and indicate IRC 6020(b) on the return. Submission Processing Clerks should process Form 940(cg) returns using the same applicable procedures for Form 940, Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax Return series.
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The following table illustrates the forms, program numbers, tax class and document codes:
FORM YEAR PROGRAM NUMBER TAX CLASS and
DOCUMENT CODEForm 940 All Revisions 11100 840 Form 940 (sp) 2023 and Later Revisions 11100 840 Form 940 (PR) 2022 and Prior Revisions 11100 839
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IRM 3.24.38, ISRP System - BMF General Instructions, should be used when specific instruction is not given.
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The instructions in this chapter provide for the Original Entry (OE) termination of a record with Section 01.
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Section 01 requires 100% Key Verification (KV).
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Section 03 requires verification if the "zero balance" routine fails.
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All money fields must be entered in dollars and cents.
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Some fields require entry of data. These fields are referred to as MUST ENTER fields. They are indicated in the transcription operation sheets by the presence of stars (★★★★★★). See IRM 3.24.38, ISRP System - BMF General Instructions, for procedures related to MUST ENTER fields.
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The following exhibits represent specific data entry procedures.
Elem. No. | Data Element Name | Prompt | Fld. Term. | Instructions |
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(1) | Service Center (SC) Block Control | ABC | The screen displays the Alphanumeric Block Control (ABC) entered in the Entry Operator (EOP) Dialog Window. It cannot be changed. | |
(2) | Block Document Locator Number (DLN) | DLN | (auto) | Enter the first 11 digits from:
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(3) | Batch Number | BATCH | <Enter> | Enter the batch number from:
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(4) | Document Count | COUNT | <Enter> | Enter the document count from:
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(5) | Pre-journalized Credit Amount | CR | <Enter> | Enter the amount in dollars and cents from:
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(6) | Filling | <Enter> | Press <Enter> five times. | |
(7) | Source Code | SOURCE | <Enter> | If the control document is a Form 3893, enter from box 11 as follows:
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(8) | Year Digit | YEAR | <Enter> | If the control document is Form 3893, enter the digit from the box 12. If any other control document, press <Enter>. This is a MUST ENTER field if the Source Code is "R" , "N" , or "4" . |
(9) | Filling | <Enter> | Press <Enter> Only. | |
(10) | Remittance Processing System (RPS) Indicator | RPS | <Enter> | Enter a "2" if:
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Elem. No. | Data Element Name | Prompt | Fld. Term. | Instructions |
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(1) | Section Number | SECT: | Section "01" always generates. No entry is needed. | |
(2) | DLN Serial Number | SER# | <Enter> |
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(3) | Check Digit | CD | <Enter> | Press <Enter>. |
(4) | Name Control | NC | Enter the Name Control. Refer to IRM 3.24.38.3.4.14.3, Determining the Name Control, for complete instructions. |
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(5) | Employer Identification Number | EIN | Enter the EIN from the "Employer Identification Number (EIN)" boxes. | |
(6) | Address Check | ADDRESS CHECK? | <Enter> | Enter "Y" or "N" as appropriate. Refer to IRM 3.24.38.3.4.5.1, Enhanced-Entity Index File (E-EIF) Check, for complete instructions. |
(7) | Street Key | STREET KEY | <Enter> | Enter the Street Key. Refer to IRM 3.24.38.3.4.5.1, Enhanced-Entity Index File (E-EIF) Check, for complete instructions. |
(8) | ZIP Key | ZIP KEY | <Enter> | Enter the ZIP Key. Refer to IRM 3.24.38.3.4.5.1, Enhanced-Entity Index File (E-EIF) Check, for complete instructions. |
(9) | Tax Year | YR | <Enter> | Enter the Tax Year in YY format as:
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(10) | In-Care-of Name Line | C/O NAME | <Enter> | Enter the In-Care-of Name immediately following the % or C/O indicator on the document if present. Refer to IRM 3.24.38.3.4.14.7, In Care of Name, for complete instructions. |
(11) | Foreign Address | FGN ADD | <Enter> | Enter the Foreign Address information as shown or edited from the entity area. Refer to IRM 3.24.38.3.4.14.9, Foreign Address. |
(12) | Street Address | ADD | <Enter> | Enter the Street Address information as shown or edited from the Address box in the entity area. Refer to IRM 3.24.38.3.4.14.8, Street Address, for complete instructions. |
(13) | City | CITY | <Enter> | Enter the City from the City box in the entity area or the Major City Code (MCC) as appropriate. Refer to IRM 3.24.38.3.4.14.10, City, for complete instructions. |
(14) | State | ST | <Enter> | Enter the standard State abbreviation from the State box in the entity area. If a Major City Code is entered, this field is bypassed. Refer to IRM 3.24.38.3.4.14.11, State, for complete instructions. |
(15) | ZIP Code | ZIP | <Enter> | Enter the ZIP Code from the ZIP Code box in the entity area. Refer to IRM 3.24.38.3.4.14.12, ZIP Code, for complete instructions. |
Elem. No. | Data Element Name | Prompt | Fld. Term. | Instructions |
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(1) | Section Number | SECT: | <Enter> | Press <Enter> if already present on the screen; otherwise, enter "02" . |
(2) | Computer Condition Code | CCC | <Enter> | Enter the edited, stamped or underlined code(s) from the space to the right of the phrase "You MUST complete both pages of this form and SIGN IT" / "TIENE que completar ambas páginas del Formulario 940-PR y luego FIRMARLO" . |
(3) | Schedule Indicator Code | SIC | <Enter> | Enter the edited digit from the right margin beside the black title bar for Part 1. |
(4) | Received Date | RDT | <Enter> | Enter the date as stamped or edited on the face of the return.
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(5) | ERS (Error Resolution System) Action Code | ERS | <Enter> | Enter the edited digits from the bottom left corner of Page 1. |
Elem. No. | Data Element Name | Prompt | Fld. Term. | Instructions |
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(1) | Section Number | SECT: | <Enter> | Press <Enter> if already present on the screen; otherwise, enter "03" . |
(2) | Remittance Amount | RMT | <Enter> | This is a MUST ENTER field if a Pre-journalized Credit Amount (prompt "CR" ) was entered in the Block Header.
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(3) | State Code | STCD | <Enter> | Enter the state code from box 1a. |
(4) | Multi-State Indicator | MCKBX | <Enter> | Enter "1" if box 1b is checked. |
(5) | Credit Reduction Check Box | CRBX | <Enter> | Enter "1" if box 2 is checked. |
(6) | Schedule R Indicator | 6RTMAR | <Enter> | Enter the "R" if edited in the right margin of Line 6. |
(7) | Total Taxable Wages | LN7 | <Enter> | Enter the amount from Line 7. |
(8) | FUTA Tax Before Adjustments | LN8 | <Enter> | Enter the amount from Line 8. |
(9) | Adjustments | LN9 | <Enter> | Enter the amount from Line 9. |
(10) | Excluded Wages/ Late Payments | L10 | <Enter> | Enter the amount from Line 10. |
(11) | Credit Reduction Amount | L11 | <Enter> | Enter the amount from Part I, Line 11. |
(12) | Adjusted Total Taxes | L12 | <Enter> ★★★★★★ |
Enter the amount from Line 12. |
(13) | Total Deposits | L13 | <Enter> | Enter the amount from Line 13. |
(14) | Balance Due / Overpayment | 14/15 | <Enter> Minus <-> ★★★★★★ |
Enter the amount from Line 14 or Line 15 as follows:
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(15) | Refund Indicator | RI | <Enter> | Enter a "2" if ONLY the "Send a refund" / "Envíe un reembolso" box is checked; otherwise, press <Enter>. |
(16) | 1st Quarter Liability | 1ST | <Enter> | Enter the amount from Line 16a. |
(17) | 2nd Quarter Liability | 2ND | <Enter> | Enter the amount from Line 16b. |
(18) | 3rd Quarter Liability | 3RD | <Enter> | Enter the amount from Line 16c. |
(19) | 4th Quarter Liability | 4TH | <Enter> | Enter the amount from Line 16d. |
(20) | Third-Party Designee Check Box | CKBX | <Enter> | Enter a "1" if only the "Yes / Sí" box in Part 6 is checked; otherwise, press <Enter>. |
(21) | Third-Party Designee's ID Number | ID# | <Enter> | Enter the Third-Party Designee's PIN number. Refer to IRM 3.24.38.3.4.14.19, Third Party Designee ID Number, for complete instructions. |
(22) | Preparer's PTIN | PTIN | <Enter> | Enter the Preparer's PTIN. Refer to IRM 3.24.38.3.4.14.20, Preparer's SSN, Firm's EIN and Preparer's TIN, for complete instructions. |
(23) | Preparer's EIN | PEIN | <Enter> | Enter the Preparer's EIN Refer to IRM 3.24.38.3.4.14.20, Preparer's SSN, Firm's EIN and Preparer's TIN, for complete instructions. |
(24) | Preparer's Telephone Number | TEL# | <Enter> | Enter the Preparer's telephone number.
Refer to IRM 3.24.38.3.4.14.22, Telephone Numbers, for complete instructions. |
Schedule A (Section 05, 06, 07) is for use by Multi-State Employers as well as FUTA Wages subject to Credit Reduction.
Enter wage amounts when the State Code check box is checked, when money amounts are present (including zero $0.00) or enter the State Code if a money amount is present and the State Code check box is not checked.
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Section 05 should be used for the first 22 State Codes/Wages.
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Section 06 should be used for the next 23 to 44 State Codes/Wages.
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Section 07 should be used for the next 45 to 53 State Codes/Wages.
Elem. No. | Data Element Name | Prompt | Fld. Term. | Instructions |
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(1) | Section Number | SECT: | <Enter> | Press <Enter> if already present on the screen; otherwise, enter "05" , "06" , "07" . |
(2) | FUTA State Code Line 1 | ST1 | <Enter> | Enter the state abbreviation shown to the immediate right of the first box marked. |
(3) | FUTA Wages Amount 1 | AMT1 | <Enter> | Enter the amount, if present, from the right of the State Code 1. |
(4) | FUTA State Code 2 | ST2 | <Enter> | Enter the second state abbreviation shown to the immediate right of the second box marked. |
(5) | FUTA Wages Amount 2 | AMT2 | <Enter> | Enter the amount, if present, from the right of the State Code 2. |
(6) | FUTA State Code 3 | ST3 | <Enter> | Enter the third state abbreviation shown to the immediate right of the third box marked. |
(7) | FUTA Wages Amount 3 | AMT3 | <Enter> | Enter the amount, if present, from the right of the State Code 3. |
(8) through (44) | FUTA State Code 4 through 22, etc. | ST4 | <Enter> | Enter the next state abbreviation shown to the immediate right of the next box marked. |
(9) through (45) | FUTA Wages Amount 4 through 22, etc. | AMT4 | <Enter> | Enter the amount, if present, from the right of the next State Code. |