Publication 15 - Introductory Material
Proposed change to FUTA tax deposit rules. As this publication was being prepared for print, the Treasury Department proposed new rules that would provide an additional
exception to the
Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) tax deposit requirements for employers. When the rules become final, they will be published
in the Internal
Revenue Bulletin and will be available on the IRS website at www.irs.gov.
Social security and Medicare tax for 2004. The social security wage base for 2004 is $87,900. There is no wage base limit for Medicare tax. The tax rate remains 6.2%
for social security and
1.45% for Medicare tax.
Web-based application for an EIN.
You may now apply for an employer identification number (EIN) online by visiting the IRS website at
www.irs.gov/smallbiz.
Zero Wage return.
Beginning in April 2004, all U.S.-based (domestic) taxpayers may file their “
Zero Wage” Forms 941 by telephone using the 941TeleFile system.
(
Note: If you received
Publication 3950, 941TeleFile, as an insert in your 2003 fourth quarter Form 941 Package, you may file
your 2003 fourth quarter “
Zero Wage” Form 941 in January 2004 using 941TeleFile.) Eligible filers must have had
(a) no withholding,
(b) no Federal tax deposits, and
(c) no taxes to report for the quarter. Dial 1-800-583-5345 (toll free) to use 941TeleFile.
