Payroll Funds – FICA Taxes

Payroll Funds – Do NOT Touch

IRS3There is zero wiggle room when it comes to handling the federal income taxes and FICA taxes withheld from employees’ paychecks. The taxes are government property, which employers hold “in trust” and then remit to the IRS on a set schedule. Employers are not permitted to use this “trust fund” money for other purposes.

Serious Penalty

The penalty for breaking the rules is harsh. Any person involved in collecting, accounting for, or paying the trust fund taxes — a “responsible person” — who willfully fails to do so may be liable for a penalty equal to 100% of the unpaid taxes. The penalty is aggressively enforced.

Responsible Persons

Generally, a responsible person is anyone with the power to see that the taxes are paid. This might include a corporation’s officers, directors, and shareholders; employees; and the partners in a partnership. Under certain circumstances, even family members and professional advisors may be subject to the penalty.

It’s not uncommon for there to be more than one responsible person. When that’s the case, each responsible person could be found liable for the full penalty.

A Word About Willful

Failure to pay trust fund taxes can be willful without being an intentional attempt to evade paying the taxes. Temporarily “borrowing” from the trust fund to meet bona fide business expenses in a pinch can qualify as being willful.

If you would like to avoid getting into hot water with the IRS, then call Kimmey & Associates and ask for Michael Kimmey.

Oak Brook office – 630-581-7007

Orland Park office – 708-687-2917

Kimmey & Associates is a Chicago tax and accounting firm that has operated for over 35 years.  We have two convenient offices, Oak Brook and Orland Park to better service clients throughout Cook, DuPage and Will County.