Userid: CPM Schema: Leadpct: 100% Pt. size: 9.5 Draft Ok to Print instrx AH XSL/XML Fileid: … ns/I8973/201705/A/XML/Cycle06/source (Init. & Date) _______ Page 1 of 4 14:37 - 16-May-2017 The type and rule above prints on all proofs including departmental reproduction proofs. MUST be removed before printing. Department of the Treasury Instructions for Form 8973 Internal Revenue Service (May 2017) Certified Professional Employer Organization/Customer Reporting Agreement Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless own Form 8973 to notify the IRS that its service contract with otherwise noted. the CPEO has ended. Future Developments When To File For the latest information about developments related to Generally, a CPEO must file Form 8973 within 30 days of Form 8973 and its instructions, such as legislation enacted starting or ending a service contract with a customer. after they were published, go to IRS.gov/Form8973. However, a newly certified CPEO has 6 months from the date of its notice of certification to submit Forms 8973 with respect to the commencement of any service contracts with existing General Instructions customers (see section 2.06(1) of Rev. Proc. 2017-14, 2017-3 I.R.B. 426, available at IRS.gov/irb/2017-03_IRB/ Purpose of Form 8973 ar14.html). Certified Professional Employer Organizations (CPEOs) use Form 8973 to notify the IRS that a service contract between a In addition, before the end of the last year or period listed CPEO and a customer has started or ended. If Form 8973 is on the most recent prior CPEO Consent to Disclosure of Tax being used to notify the IRS that a service contract has Information, the CPEO must renew the consent if it is still started, CPEOs also use Form 8973 to identify the forms that under a service contract with the customer named on the the CPEO will file reporting wages or compensation paid to consent. For more information on renewing the consent, see employees performing services for the customer and to allow Renewing the CPEO Consent to Disclosure of Tax the CPEO to consent to the disclosure of tax information to Information, later. the customer. Where To File For purposes of this form, a service contract is either a Mail to the following address: CPEO contract described under section 7705(e)(2) or a service agreement described under Regulations section Department of the Treasury 31.3504-2(b)(2) and a customer is any person who has Internal Revenue Service entered into such a service contract with the CPEO. For more Ogden, UT 84201-0089 information on CPEO contracts and service agreements, see the line 10 instructions. Specific Instructions For more information about the CPEO program, including frequently asked questions, visit the IRS website at IRS.gov/ Part 1: Why Are You Filing This Form? CPEO. Check a box to tell the IRS if you’re filing Form 8973 because If the customer filed Form 2678, Employer/Payer a service contract started between the customer reported in TIP Appointment of Agent, appointing the CPEO as an Part 2 and the CPEO reported in Part 3, a service contract authorized agent of the customer under Regulations ended between the customer reported in Part 2 and the section 31.3504-1, then the relationship between the CPEO CPEO reported in Part 3, or you're correcting a previously and the customer isn’t subject to a CPEO contract or a filed Form 8973. You must enter the date (formatted as service agreement under Regulations section 31.3504-2(b) MM/DD/YYYY) that the service contract started or ended. (2). In this case, the CPEO shouldn’t file Form 8973 for the Service contract started. Either the customer or the CPEO customer. can complete Parts 1 and 2. The CPEO must complete Parts 3 and 4 and provide the customer a copy of these Substitute Forms instructions before the customer signs Part 5. The CPEO The IRS accepts quality substitute tax forms that are must also complete Part 6 and the CPEO Consent to consistent with the official forms and have no adverse impact Disclosure of Tax information before sending Form 8973 to on our processing. The official Form 8973 is the standard for the IRS. The CPEO must provide the customer with a copy of substitute forms. Because a substitute form is a variation the fully completed and signed Form 8973. from the official form, you should know the requirements of Service contract ended. The CPEO is required to file Form the official form for the year of use before you create a 8973 to notify the IRS that a service contract has ended. Only substitute version. For details on the requirements for the CPEO’s signature is required to notify the IRS that a substitute forms, see Pub. 1167. service contract has ended. In addition, though not required, the customer may also separately file its own Form 8973 to Who Must File notify the IRS that its service contract with the CPEO has The CPEO must file Form 8973 to notify the IRS that a ended. If a customer separately files its own Form 8973 to service contract started between a customer reported in Part notify the IRS that its service contract with the CPEO has 2 and a CPEO reported in Part 3 or to correct a previously ended, only the customer’s signature is required on that filed Form 8973. The CPEO is required to file Form 8973 to Form 8973. In both cases, Parts 1, 2, and 3 must be notify the IRS that a service contract has ended. In addition, completed (although Part 2, line 5, should be blank). It isn’t though not required, the customer may also separately file its May 16, 2017 Cat. No. 68908X |
Page 2 of 4 Fileid: … ns/I8973/201705/A/XML/Cycle06/source 14:37 - 16-May-2017 The type and rule above prints on all proofs including departmental reproduction proofs. MUST be removed before printing. necessary in either case to complete Part 4 or the CPEO Line 5. Identify Forms That the CPEO Will File Consent to Disclosure of Tax Information. Reporting Wages or Compensation Paid to Correcting a previously filed Form 8973. Submit Form Employees Performing Services for the 8973 with the correct information in accordance with these Customer instructions. Check the boxes for all forms that the CPEO will file reporting Before the end of the last year or period listed on the wages or compensation paid to employees performing TIP most recent prior CPEO Consent to Disclosure of services for the customer. If the CPEO is reporting only some Tax Information, the CPEO must renew the consent if of the wages or compensation paid to employees performing it is still under a service contract with the customer named on services for the customer, check the boxes under CPEO the consent. See Renewing the CPEO Consent to Disclosure reports some wages/compensation paid to employees. of Tax Information, later. For example, if the CPEO reports wages or compensation Transfer or assignment of a service contract. If a CPEO paid by the CPEO to employees performing services for the (the transferor) transfers or assigns a service contract that customer pursuant to a service contract and the customer was previously reported as “started” on Form 8973 to a separately reports wages or compensation (including, for subsidiary or affiliate (the transferee), the transferor must file example, bonuses, stock options, and taxable fringe a Form 8973 to tell the IRS that the service contract has benefits) paid by the customer to the same employees, the ended between the customer reported in Part 2 and the CPEO is reporting some, but not all, of the wages or CPEO reported in Part 3. Then, if the transferee is a CPEO, compensation paid to employees performing services for the within 30 days of the transfer, the transferee must file Form customer and should check the boxes under CPEO reports 8973 to tell the IRS that a service contract has started some wages/compensation paid to employees. between the customer reported in Part 2 and the CPEO Similarly, if a CPEO and a customer enter into a service (transferee) reported in Part 3. contract that covers some, but not all, of the employees performing services for the customer, so that the customer Part 2: Customer Information reports wages or compensation paid to the employees not covered by the service contract, the CPEO is reporting some, Line 1. Customer’s Employer Identification but not all, of the wages or compensation paid to employees Number (EIN) performing services for the customer and should check the Enter the customer’s EIN. The EIN that you enter on line 1 boxes under CPEO reports some wages/compensation paid must match the EIN that the IRS assigned to the customer. If to employees. the customer previously filed employment tax returns (for example, Form 941, Employer’s QUARTERLY Federal Tax For details on wages and compensation, see Pub. 15-A, Return), the EIN on line 1 also must match the EIN that the Employer’s Supplemental Tax Guide, and the General customer used on its employment tax returns. The Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3. customer’s business should have only one EIN. If the Part 3: CPEO Information customer has more than one EIN and isn’t sure which one to use, the customer can write to the IRS office where it files its Line 6. CPEO’s EIN employment tax returns (use the Without a payment address in the instructions for the employment tax returns) or call the Enter the CPEO’s EIN. The EIN that you enter on line 6 must IRS at 800-829-4933. If the customer doesn’t have an EIN, it be the same as the EIN that you’ll use when you file may apply for one online by visiting the IRS website at employment tax returns (for example, Form 941 and its IRS.gov/EIN. The customer may also apply for an EIN by related Schedule R (Form 941), Allocation Schedule for faxing or mailing Form SS-4 to the IRS. Customers outside of Aggregate Form 941 Filers). the United States may also apply for an EIN by calling 267-941-1099 (toll call). Line 7. CPEO’s Name Enter the CPEO’s name (not the trade name). The name that Don’t use a social security number (SSN) in place of you enter on line 7 must be the same as the name that you’ll ! an EIN. use when you file employment tax returns (for example, Form CAUTION 941 and its related Schedule R (Form 941)). Line 2. Customer’s Name Line 8. CPEO’s Trade Name Enter the customer’s name (not the trade name). The name Enter the CPEO’s trade name (if any). The name that you on line 2 should be the same as the legal name the customer enter on line 8 must be the same as the trade name that used when it applied for its EIN, unless the customer notified you’ll use when you file employment tax returns (for example, the IRS of a name change. Form 941). Line 3. Customer’s Trade Name Line 9. Address Enter the customer’s trade name (if any). The trade name on Enter the physical address that the CPEO provided on its line 3 should be the same as the trade name the customer application for certification as a CPEO (if this address has used when it applied for its EIN. changed and the CPEO has provided an updated address to the IRS, enter the updated address). The address must be Line 4. Address an address in the United States. Enter the customer’s address. -2- Instructions for Form 8973 (5-2017) |
Page 3 of 4 Fileid: … ns/I8973/201705/A/XML/Cycle06/source 14:37 - 16-May-2017 The type and rule above prints on all proofs including departmental reproduction proofs. MUST be removed before printing. employment taxes for wages or compensation paid to Part 4: Customer Relationship individuals performing services for the clients. Information Answer “Yes” or “No” to the questions on lines 10–13. Line 12. Is the Customer Reported in Part 2 a However, if you answer “No” to question 10, you may skip Related Party of the CPEO? lines 11–13. A CPEO won’t be treated as the employer of an individual performing services for the customer for purposes of federal Line 10. Is the CPEO’s Relationship With the employment taxes if the customer is a related party, even if Customer Reported in Part 2 Subject to a the CPEO’s relationship with the customer is subject to a Contract Described Under Section 7705(e)(2)? CPEO contract. The customer is a related party if it has a relationship with the CPEO as described in section 267(b) or The CPEO’s relationship with the customer is subject to a section 707(b), but substituting “10 percent” for any reference contract described under section 7705(e)(2) (also called a to “50 percent.” CPEO contract) if the contract is in writing and, with respect to an individual providing services for the customer pursuant Line 13. Does the CPEO Apply the Exemptions, to the contract, provides that the CPEO will assume responsibility for: Exclusions, Definitions, and Other Rules Which Payment of wages or Railroad Retirement Tax Act (RRTA) Are Based On Type of Employer Under Sections compensation to the individual(s) performing services for the 3511(a)(2) and 3511(c)(2) to the Customer customer, without regard to the receipt or adequacy of Reported in Part 2? payment from the customer; For purposes of federal employment taxes, the exemptions, Reporting, withholding, and paying any applicable federal exclusions, definitions, and other rules that are based on type employment taxes on the wages or RRTA compensation of employer under sections 3511(a)(2) and 3511(c)(2) are paid to the individual(s) performing services for the customer, presumed to be based on the customer, and in most cases without regard to the receipt or adequacy of payment from “Yes” will be checked for this line. However, check the “No” the customer; box in the rare case that another entity is the common law Providing employee benefits that the contract may require employer of individuals performing services for the customer, the CPEO to provide, without regard to the receipt or and the exemptions, exclusions, definitions, and other rules adequacy of payment from the customer; and that are based on type of employer will be based on that Recruiting, hiring, and firing individuals performing entity. services for the customer (in addition to the customer’s responsibility for recruiting, hiring, and firing). Part 5: Customer Signature Additionally, the CPEO must agree in the contract to Part 5 must be signed by a person who has the authority to maintain employee records for the individual(s) performing execute Form 8973 for the customer listed in Part 2. By services for the customer and to be treated as a CPEO for signing Part 5, you acknowledge that Form 8973, Parts 1, 2, federal employment tax purposes in relation to the and 4 are, to the best of your knowledge and belief, true, individual(s) performing services for the customer. correct, and complete. If the CPEO’s relationship with the customer isn’t subject Customers can visit IRS.gov/CPEO for more to a CPEO contract (“No” is checked on line 10), Form 8973 TIP information about the CPEO program and to access must still be filed if the CPEO’s relationship with the customer the list of organizations (updated quarterly) that are reported in Part 2 is subject to a service agreement certified by the IRS as CPEOs. described under Regulations section 31.3504-2(b)(2). A service agreement under Regulations section 31.3504-2(b) Part 6: CPEO Signature (2) means an agreement that provides that the CPEO: Part 6 must be signed by a person who has the authority to Asserts it is the employer (or “co-employer”) for the execute Form 8973 for the CPEO listed in Part 3. By signing individual(s) performing services for the customer pursuant to Part 6, you acknowledge, under penalties of perjury, that the agreement; Form 8973, Parts 1–4 are, to the best of your knowledge and Pays wages or RRTA compensation to the individual(s) belief, true, correct, and complete. performing services for the customer pursuant to the agreement; and Only the CPEO’s signature is required if you're telling Assumes responsibility to collect, report, and pay, or TIP the IRS that a service contract has ended. assumes liability for, employment taxes on the wages or RRTA compensation paid by the CPEO to the individual(s) performing services for the customer pursuant to the CPEO Consent to Disclosure of Tax agreement. Information Line 11. Is the Customer Reported in Part 2 a When filing Form 8973 to report the start of a service contract, the CPEO must complete the CPEO Consent to Provider of Employment-Related Services? Disclosure of Tax Information. The customer is a provider of employment-related services if it provides: By signing, dating, and entering the CPEO’s EIN at the Employment tax administration, bottom of the consent, you allow the IRS, to the extent Payroll services, or necessary to carry out the purposes of the CPEO program, to Other employment-related compliance services to clients. disclose information to the customer named on the consent from the CPEO’s employment tax returns (for example, Other employment-related compliance services may Forms 940 and 941) as it relates to the customer named on include, but aren’t limited to, collecting, reporting, and paying Instructions for Form 8973 (5-2017) -3- |
Page 4 of 4 Fileid: … ns/I8973/201705/A/XML/Cycle06/source 14:37 - 16-May-2017 The type and rule above prints on all proofs including departmental reproduction proofs. MUST be removed before printing. the consent. This consent also covers the disclosure of any information regarding the CPEO’s obligations to report, Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice. We deposit, and pay federal employment taxes for the customer ask for the information on Form 8973 to carry out the Internal named on the consent. You also consent to the disclosure of Revenue laws of the United States. Our authority to request information regarding the CPEO’s certification, regardless of the information is Internal Revenue Code sections 3511 and year. You must enter the following information on the 7705 and the regulations thereunder. We use this information consent. to record the start or end of a service contract between a CPEO and the customer. A customer isn’t required to enter Customer’s Name. Enter the customer’s name as shown in into a service agreement with a CPEO. However, if a Part 2. customer chooses to enter into a service contract with a Customer’s EIN. Enter the customer’s EIN as shown in Part CPEO, both the customer and the CPEO are required to 2. provide the information requested. Section 6109 requires the customer and the CPEO to provide their identification Tax form number. Enter the tax form the CPEO files that numbers. If the customer or CPEO fail to provide the will include information related to the customer named on the information in a timely manner, or provide false or fraudulent consent. Enter only one tax form on each line. information, the customer and the CPEO may be subject to Don’t use a general reference such as “All tax forms” penalties. Additionally, if the CPEO fails to provide this information in a timely manner, or provides false or fraudulent ! in place of the actual tax form number. information, the IRS may revoke or suspend its certification. CAUTION Year(s) or period(s). Enter the year(s) or period(s) for Neither the CPEO nor the customer is required to provide which you consent to the disclosure of tax information. You the information requested on a form that is subject to the may not list more than 3 years or 12 quarters. However, we Paperwork Reduction Act unless the form displays a valid recommend that you list exactly 3 years or 12 quarters OMB control number. Books or records relating to a form or because you must renew the consent, if you’re still under a its instructions must be retained as long as their contents service contract with the customer named on the consent, may become material in the administration of any Internal when the last year or period listed on the consent ends. Revenue law. Example. You may list “2017–2019” or “2017, 2018, Generally, tax returns and return information are 2019” for returns filed annually. For returns filed quarterly, confidential, as required by section 6103. However, section you may list “2nd Qtr. 2017–1st Qtr. 2020” or you can list the 6103 allows or requires us to disclose this information to years (as shown earlier) if those years include all four others as described in the Code. We may disclose your tax quarters. information to the Department of Justice for civil and criminal litigation, and to cities, states, the District of Columbia, and Don’t use a general reference such as “All years” or U.S. commonwealths and possessions to administer their tax ! “All periods” in place of the actual year(s) or laws. We may also disclose this information to other CAUTION period(s). countries under a tax treaty, to federal and state agencies to Signature. Sign and date the bottom of the consent. You enforce federal nontax criminal laws, or to federal law also must enter the CPEO’s EIN and name, and print your enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism. name and title. The time needed to complete and file Form 8973 will vary depending on individual circumstances. The estimated Renewing the CPEO Consent to Disclosure of average time is: Tax Information If you’re still under a service contract with the customer Recordkeeping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 min. named on the consent before the end of the last year or Learning about the law or the form . . . . . . . . . . . 1 hr. period listed on the most recent prior consent, you must Preparing and sending the form to the IRS . . . . . . 15 min. renew the consent by sending a new consent to the IRS. The renewed consent can cover an additional 3 years or 12 quarters. For details, see Year(s) or period(s) above. You If you have comments concerning the accuracy of these only need to send the renewed consent (page 3 of Form time estimates or suggestions for making Form 8973 simpler, 8973). Don’t send a completed Form 8973. Mail the renewed we would be happy to hear from you. You can send us consent to the address provided under Where To File, comments from IRS.gov/FormComments. Or you can write to earlier. the Internal Revenue Service, Tax Forms and Publications You must enter the customer’s name and customer’s Division, 1111 Constitution Ave. NW, IR-6526, Washington, DC 20224. Don't send Form 8973 to this address. Instead, CAUTION corrected Form 8973 that was filed to report the start ! EIN that were included in Part 2 of the original or see Where To File, earlier. of the service contract. -4- Instructions for Form 8973 (5-2017) |