Everything You Should Know about IRS Form 8809
Managing all the taxes, withholdings, and paperwork for your employees can be a hassle, especially if you’re a new or very small business. However, there is one quick solution that can help make the whole process a bit easier: Gaining a basic understanding of the forms that are relevant to you and your business. One form […]
Managing all the taxes, withholdings, and paperwork for your employees can be a hassle, especially if you’re a new or very small business. However, there is one quick solution that can help make the whole process a bit easier: Gaining a basic understanding of the forms that are relevant to you and your business. One form that many small business owners don’t know about, and therefore can’t take advantage of, is IRS Form 8809.
IRS Form 8809 can be extremely helpful for time-crunched small businesses. This form is essentially an application for an extension to the deadline for filing information returns. As the IRS notes, the most common information forms that businesses file are W2’s and 1099’s, the IRS Form 8809 can allow for the extension of any of the following forms:
- W-2G
- 1042-S
- 1094-C
- 1095
- 1097
- 1098
- 3921
- 3922
- 5498
- 8027
Perhaps the most important thing to know about the IRS Form 8809 is that it can grant an extension on filing the informational forms, it does not, in any way, extend the amount of time you have to pay any of the taxes you owe. Also, the 8099 is not the form you want to file if you’re looking to extend the time that you have to deliver forms, like the 1099, to recipients. That’s an entirely different process that the IRS has explained in depth through their Publication 1220. You can read 2018’s version of Publication 1220 here.
How can IRS Form 8809 help me with the 1099?
Especially if your business uses freelancers or other independent contractors (many of whom work through 1099s) in lieu of formal employees, the IRS Form 8809 is your friend because it gives you more time to put all of that paperwork together and get it to the IRS. This is especially great for businesses who have busy seasons close to tax season that can put filing informational forms on the back burner.
When do I have to file the IRS Form 8809?
For the IRS Form 8809, there isn’t one set deadline. Instead, the deadline differs based on which specific form or forms you want an extension for. In general, it’s best to submit the forms as soon as you can after the new year begins, but form-specific deadlines for filing IRS Form 8809 for both paper and electronic filing are as follows:
- Form W-2: January 31, both forms of filing
- Form W-2G: February 28 on paper, March 31 electronically
- Form 1042-S: March 15, both forms of filing
- Form 1094-C: February 28 on paper, March 31 electronically
- Form 1095: February 28 on paper, March 31 electronically
- Form 1097: February 28 on paper, March 31 electronically
- Form 1098: February 28 on paper, March 31 electronically
- Form 1099: February 28 on paper, March 31 electronically
- 1099-MISC: January 31, both forms of filing
- Form 3921: February 28 on paper, March 31 electronically
- Form 3922: February 28 on paper, March 31 electronically
- Form 5498: May 31, both forms of filing
- Form 8027: Last day of February on paper, March 31 electronically
