Independent form guide. BrieflyGo is not affiliated with or endorsed by IRS, USCIS, SSA, DOL, or any U.S. government agency. Official forms are sourced from public government websites.
Official form guide
Form 8842: Election To Use Different Annualization Periods for Corporate Estimated Tax
IRS Form 8842 is Election To Use Different Annualization Periods for Corporate Estimated Tax, used by corporations and certain partnerships to elect specific annualization options under section 6655(e)(2)(C). The election must be filed by the 15th day of the 4th month.
Need help with Form 8842?
Open it in the AI Editor for field guidance, checks, and PDF export.
Need help? AI Editor guides you through every field of Form 8842.
Start filling →Form Overview
IRS Form 8842 - Election To Use Different Annualization Periods for Corporate Estimated Tax
IRS Form 8842 is Election To Use Different Annualization Periods for Corporate Estimated Tax, used by corporations and certain partnerships to elect specific annualization options under section 6655(e)(2)(C). The election must be filed by the 15th day of the 4th month.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Do not file Form 8842 with the organization’s income tax return; it must be filed separately.
- 2Filing Form 8842 with the organization’s income tax return instead of separately.
- 3Not filing IRS Form 8842 annually, even if the same option is elected each year.
- 4Selecting an annualization period that does not match the chosen Option (1 or 2).
- 5Failing to sign and date the form under penalties of perjury by an authorized officer.
Plain English
This form allows a corporation or partnership to choose how its income is spread out (annualized) when calculating estimated tax payments. By filing Form 8842, the entity elects one of two specific options regarding these payment periods. This election determines which monthly window the organization uses for its tax calculations.
Submission Date
- Filing date: 2021-11-02 22:13:36
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
AI co-pilot
Fill it faster. Catch mistakes before you file.
What this form is for
- Use this form when a corporation or certain partnership needs to elect one of two annualization options under section 6655(e)(2)(C) for estimated tax payments.
- Do not use this form when you are a tax-exempt organization subject to the unrelated business income tax and private foundation, as these entities should not file Form 8842.
- Check Form 1120 or related forms (like Form 1120-S) instead when filing an annual return that requires this election.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Tax-exempt organization subject to UBTI
Use Form 990-W for information regarding applicable annualization periods.
✓ Check the instructions for Form 8842.
Partnership electing option
Partnerships should review the instructions for Form 8804, Annual Return for Partnership Withholding Tax (Section 1446).
✓ Confirm Option 1 or 2 selection on this form.
Standard Option chosen
Corporations can use the Standard Option without filing Form 8842; refer to Form 1120-W for details.
✓ Ensure you are not electing Option 1 or 2 if using the Standard Option.
Deadline or filing window
The election for IRS Form 8842 applies only to the specific tax year it is made for. The deadline to submit this form is the 15th day of the 4th month of that tax year. The source states the election cannot be revoked once it has been made for a given tax year.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Filer Category
Corporation or certain partnership · Form 8842
Filing Deadline
By the 15th day of the 4th month of the tax year for which the election is to apply · Instructions p.1 / When To File
Filing Location
Department of the Treasury, IRS Center, Kansas City, MO 64999 · Where To File (p.1)
Election Options Available
Option 1 or Option 2 · Form 8842 checkboxes (p.1)
Required Signer (Corp.)
President, VP, Treasurer, Asst. Treasurer, Chief Accounting Officer; or any other authorized officer · Form 8842 (p.2)
Required Signer (Partnership)
A partner or an LLC member · Form 8842 (p.2)
Before you submit
- 1Confirm that the organization's Employer identification number is correctly entered.
- 2Verify that the tax year end date (month and year) is accurate on Form 8842.
- 3Select the correct Type of return to be filed (e.g., Form 1120, Form 1120-S).
- 4Check either Option 1 or Option 2, and select the corresponding installment period.
- 5Ensure the required signature is present from an authorized officer, partner, or LLC member.
- 6Confirm that the date of signing matches the current filing date.
- 7Verify that the form is being filed separately from the organization’s income tax return.
How to file this form
- 1Complete all required fields on Form 8842, including EIN, address details, and selecting the appropriate Type of return to be filed.
- 2Check either Option 1 or Option 2 boxes, specifying which installment period applies to the election.
- 3Sign and date the form using the signature of an authorized officer, partner, or LLC member (or fiduciary if applicable).
- 4Mail Form 8842 to the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center, Kansas City, MO 64999. Proof: Completed and signed Form 8842.
Known limitations
- 1Tax-exempt organizations and private foundations should not file Form 8842.
- 2If an organization wants to use the annualized income installment method but does not elect Option 1 or 2, it can use the Standard Option without filing Form 8842.
- 3The election made on Form 8842 applies only to the specific tax year for which it is filed and cannot be revoked for that tax year.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Entity Info
1 items
Name and taxpayer ID of the entity claiming the credit.
Credit Info
1 items
Type of credit or incentive being claimed.
Calculation
2 items
The base amount used to calculate the credit.
Calculated credit amount after applying formulas and limitations.
Certification
1 items
Detailed breakdown supporting the credit calculation.
Signatures
1 items
Sign and date the form.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The current edition is Revision October 2021 (Rev. 10-2021). The source does not point to a specific 'latest information' page, but the revision date indicates this is the most recent version provided.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the revision date reads October 2021 (Rev. 10-2021).
- Fee — Not stated in the official source.
- Mailing address — confirm mailing to IRS Center, Kansas City, MO 64999 (or via mail/e-file).
- Signature — ensure it is signed and dated by an authorized officer or partner/LLC member.
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Keep a copy of Form 8842 after filing.
- 2Retain books or records relating to Form 8842 as long as the contents may become material in the administration of any Internal Revenue law.
- 3If filed by a receiver, trustee, or assignee on behalf of an entity, the fiduciary must sign the election instead of the corporate officer or LLC member.
- 4When filing for a corporation or partnership, do not file Form 8842 with the organization’s income tax return; file it separately.
Sources
- SRCForm 8842 is used under section 6655(e)(2)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- SRCThe election must be filed separately from the organization’s income tax return (Form p.1).
- SRCThe filing deadline for Form 8842 is the 15th day of the 4th month of the tax year for which the election applies (Form p.1).
- SRCCorporations and certain partnerships use Form 8842 to elect Option 1 or Option 2 under the annualized income installment method (Instructions p.1).
- SRCThe form must be filed with the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center in Kansas City, MO 64999 (Form p.1).
- SRCIf an election is signed by a receiver or trustee in bankruptcy on behalf of a corporation or partnership, it must be accompanied by court authorization (Form p.2).
Common confusion points
Should I file Form 8842 even if I elect the same option every year?
The instructions state to file Form 8842 annually, even if the election remains the same each year.
Where exactly do I send Form 8842?
File it with the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center in Kansas City, MO 64999. Do not send it to the address listed on page 2.
What if my organization is a tax-exempt entity or private foundation?
These entities should generally not file Form 8842; check the instructions for specific annualization periods applicable to them.
Who signs Form 8842 if it's filed by someone other than an officer/member?
A receiver, trustee, or assignee must sign the election instead of the corporate officer or LLC member.
What happens if I file this form late?
The deadline is the 15th day of the 4th month of the tax year for which the election applies. Not stated in the official source — verify on the agency site
Is there a different way to use the annualized income installment method without filing Form 8842?
Yes, an organization can annualize income using the Standard Option, which does not require filing Form 8842.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Partnerships should see instructions for Form 8804, Annual Return for Partnership Withholding Tax (Section 1446).
Questions about IRS Form 8842
What is IRS Form 8842 used for?
This form allows a corporation or partnership to choose how its income is spread out (annualized) when calculating estimated tax payments. By filing Form 8842, the entity elects one of two specific options regarding these payment periods. This election determines which monthly window the organization uses for its tax calculations.
Who must file IRS Form 8842?
Corporations and certain partnerships required to pay the withholding tax under section 1446 must file IRS Form 8842. Fiduciaries, such as receivers, trustees, or assignees, sign the election when filing on behalf of a corporation or partnership.
What information does IRS Form 8842 require?
The form collects identifying information like the Employer identification number and Tax year ends (month and year). The filer must also specify the Type of return to be filed (e.g., Form 1120-S) and check the specific annualization option chosen (Option 1 or Option 2).
When is IRS Form 8842 due?
The election applies only to the tax year for which it is made, and once elected, it cannot be revoked for that tax year. The form must be filed annually by the 15th day of the 4th month of the tax year for which the election is to apply.
Where do I file IRS Form 8842?
File IRS Form 8842 with the Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center in Kansas City, MO 64999. The form must not be sent with the organization’s income tax return.
How do I complete IRS Form 8842?
First, complete the identifying details like the Employer identification number and check the Type of return being filed. Next, select either Option 1 or Option 2 by checking the appropriate boxes (e.g., First 7 months). Finally, an authorized officer signs and dates the form under penalties of perjury.
What happens if IRS Form 8842 is filed incorrectly?
Failing to file Form 8842 annually means the entity may default to using the Standard Option for annualizing income. If filed incorrectly, the election is tied only to the specific tax year it was made for.
Should I file Form 8842 even if I elect the same option every year?
The instructions state to file Form 8842 annually, even if the election remains the same each year.
Source transparency
Copyright & Licensing - US Government Forms
BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.
Understand the agreement before you sign it.
Review risky clauses in plain English, fix the document, and keep it moving toward signature.