Department of the Treasury

Internal Revenue Service

Publication 908

(December 2024)

Cat. No. 15309S

Bankruptcy Tax Guide

New for 2024

Mar 7, 2025

Future Developments

For the latest information about developments related to Pub. 908, such as legislation enacted after it was published, go to IRS.gov/Pub908.

What’s New

Bankruptcy estate filing threshold. For tax year 2024, the requirement to file a return for a bankruptcy estate applies only if gross income is at least $14,600. This amount is equal to the standard deduction for married individuals filing a separate return and is generally adjusted annually. See the Instructions for Form 1041 for updates to the filing threshold amount for future years.

Reminders

Bankruptcy administrative expenses. Bankruptcy administrative expenses are reported on Schedule 1 (Form 1040) as allowable in arriving at adjusted gross income. These expenses were previously reported on Schedule﻿ ﻿A (Form 1040) as miscellaneous itemized deductions. See Internal Revenue Code section 67(e) and Final Regulations - TD9918. For specific reporting instructions, see Administrative expenses, later.

Automatic 6-month extension of time to file a bankruptcy estate return. An automatic 6-month extension of time to file a bankruptcy estate income tax return is available for individuals in chapter﻿ ﻿7 or chapter﻿ ﻿11 bankruptcy proceedings upon filing a required application.

Bankruptcy Code tax filing requirements. Debtors filing under chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code must file all applicable federal, state, and local tax returns that become due after a case commences. Failure to file tax returns timely or obtain an extension can cause a bankruptcy case to be converted to another chapter or dismissed.

In chapter﻿ ﻿13 cases, the debtor must file all required tax returns for tax periods ending within 4 years of the filing of the bankruptcy petition.

Photographs of missing children. The Internal Revenue Service is a proud partner with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC). Photographs of missing children selected by the Center may appear in this publication on pages that would otherwise be blank. You can help bring these children home by looking at the photographs and calling 1﻿-﻿800-THE-LOST (1﻿-﻿800﻿-﻿843﻿-﻿5678) if you recognize a child.

Introduction

This publication isn't intended to cover bankruptcy law in general, or to provide detailed discussions of the tax rules for the more complex corporate bankruptcy reorganizations or other highly technical transactions. Additionally, this publication isn't updated on an annual basis and may not reflect recent developments in bankruptcy or tax law. If you need more guidance on the bankruptcy or tax laws applicable to your case, you should seek professional advice.

This publication explains the basic federal income tax aspects of bankruptcy.

A fundamental goal of the bankruptcy laws enacted by Congress is to give an honest debtor a financial “fresh start.” This is accomplished through the bankruptcy discharge, which is a permanent injunction (court-ordered prohibition) against the collection of certain debts as a personal liability of the debtor.

Bankruptcy proceedings begin with the filing of either a voluntary petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court or, in certain cases, an involuntary petition filed by creditors. This filing creates the bankruptcy estate.

The bankruptcy estate generally consists of all of the assets the individual or entity owns on the date the bankruptcy petition was filed.

The bankruptcy estate is treated as a separate taxable entity for individuals filing bankruptcy petitions under chapter﻿ ﻿7 or 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, discussed later.

The tax obligations of taxable bankruptcy estates are discussed later under Individuals in Chapter 7 or 11.

Generally, when a debt owed to another person or entity is canceled, the amount canceled or forgiven is considered income that is taxed to the person owing the debt. If a debt is canceled under a bankruptcy proceeding, the amount canceled isn't income. However, the canceled debt reduces other tax benefits to which the debtor would otherwise be entitled. See Debt Cancellation, later.

Useful Items

You may want to see:

Publication

﻿ ﻿225﻿ ﻿Farmer's Tax Guide

﻿ ﻿525﻿ ﻿Taxable and Nontaxable Income

﻿ ﻿536﻿ ﻿Net Operating Losses (NOLs) for Individuals, Estates, and Trusts

﻿ ﻿538﻿ ﻿Accounting Periods and Methods

﻿ ﻿544﻿ ﻿Sales and Other Dispositions of Assets

﻿ ﻿551﻿ ﻿Basis of Assets

﻿ ﻿4681﻿ ﻿Canceled Debts, Foreclosures, Repossessions, and Abandonments

Form (and Instructions)

﻿ ﻿SS-4﻿ ﻿Application for Employer Identification Number

﻿ ﻿982﻿ ﻿Reduction of Tax Attributes Due to Discharge of Indebtedness (and Section 1082 Basis Adjustment)

﻿ ﻿1040﻿ ﻿U.S. Individual Income Tax Return

﻿ ﻿Schedule SE (Form 1040)﻿ ﻿Self-Employment Tax

﻿ ﻿1040-SR﻿ ﻿U.S. Income Tax Return for Seniors

﻿ ﻿1040-X﻿ ﻿Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return

﻿ ﻿1041﻿ ﻿U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts

﻿ ﻿1041-ES﻿ ﻿Estimated Income Tax for Estates and Trusts

﻿ ﻿1041-V﻿ ﻿Payment Voucher for Estates and Trusts

﻿ ﻿4506﻿ ﻿Request for Copy of Tax Return

﻿ ﻿4506-T﻿ ﻿Request for Transcript of Tax Return

﻿ ﻿4852﻿ ﻿Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, or Form 1099-R, Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc.

﻿ ﻿4868﻿ ﻿Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return

﻿ ﻿7004﻿ ﻿Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File Certain Business Income Tax, Information, and Other Returns

See How To Get Tax Help, later, for information about getting these publications and forms.

Bankruptcy Code Tax Compliance Requirements

Tax Returns Due for Periods Ending Before the Bankruptcy Filing in Chapter 13 Cases

The Bankruptcy Code requires chapter﻿ ﻿13 debtors to file all required tax returns for tax periods ending during the 4-year period ending on the date of the filing of the debtor's bankruptcy filing. All such federal tax returns must be filed with the IRS before the date first set for the first meeting of creditors. The debtor may request the trustee to hold the meeting open for an additional 120 days to enable the debtor to file the returns (or until the day the returns are due under an automatic IRS extension, if later). After notice and hearing, the bankruptcy court may extend the period for another 30 days.

Failure to timely file the returns can prevent confirmation of a chapter﻿ ﻿13 plan and result in either dismissal of the chapter﻿ ﻿13 case or conversion to a chapter﻿ ﻿7 case.

Note. An individual debtor should use their home address when filing Form 1040 or 1040-SR with the IRS. Returns should not be filed “in care of” the trustee's address.

Ordering tax transcripts and copies of returns.

Trustees may require the debtor to submit copies or transcripts of the debtor's returns as proof of filing. The debtor can request free transcripts of the debtor's income tax returns by filing Form 4506-T with the IRS or by going to IRS.gov/Transcripts. Click on either “Get Transcript Online” or “Get Transcript by Mail” to order a free copy of the transcript. If preferred, the transcript can be ordered by calling 800﻿-﻿908﻿-﻿9946. If requested through the phone system, the transcript will be mailed to the debtor's most current address according to the IRS's records. Transcripts requested using Form 4506-T may be mailed to any address, including to the attention of the trustee in the debtor's bankruptcy case. Transcripts are normally mailed within 10 business days of receipt of the request by the IRS. A transcript contains most of the information on the debtor's filed return, but it isn't a copy of the return. To request a copy of the debtor's filed return, file Form 4506 with a $30 fee for each copy of each return requested. It may take up to 75 calendar days for the IRS to provide the copies after receipt of the debtor's request.

Tax Returns Due After the Bankruptcy Filing

For debtors filing bankruptcy under all chapters (chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13), the Bankruptcy Code provides that if the debtor does not file a tax return that becomes due after the commencement of the bankruptcy case, or obtain an extension for filing the return before the due date, the taxing authority may request that the bankruptcy court either dismiss the case or convert the case to a case under another chapter of the Bankruptcy Code. If the debtor does not file the required return or obtain an extension within 90 days after the request is made, the bankruptcy court must dismiss or convert the case.

Tax returns and payment of taxes in chapter﻿ ﻿11 cases.

The Bankruptcy Code provides that a chapter﻿ ﻿11 debtor's failure to timely file tax returns and pay taxes owed after the date of the “order for relief” (the bankruptcy petition date in voluntary cases) is cause for dismissal of the chapter﻿ ﻿11 case, conversion to a chapter﻿ ﻿7 case, or appointment of a chapter﻿ ﻿11 trustee.

Disclosure of debtor's return information to trustee.

In bankruptcy cases filed under chapter﻿ ﻿7 or 11 by individuals, the debtor's income tax returns for the year the bankruptcy case begins and for earlier years are, upon written request, open to inspection by or disclosure to the trustee. If the bankruptcy case was not voluntary, disclosure cannot be made before the bankruptcy court has entered an order for relief, unless the court rules that the disclosure is needed for determining whether relief should be ordered.

 In bankruptcy cases other than those of individuals filing under chapter﻿ ﻿7 or 11, the debtor's income tax returns for the current and prior years are, upon written request, open to inspection by or disclosure to the trustee, but only if the IRS finds that the trustee has a material interest that will be affected by information on the return. Material interest is generally defined as a financial or monetary interest. Material interest isn't limited to the trustee's responsibility to file a return on behalf of the bankruptcy estate.

However, the U.S. Trustee (an officer of the Department of Justice responsible for maintaining and supervising a panel of private trustees for chapter﻿ ﻿7 bankruptcy cases) and the standing chapter﻿ ﻿13 trustee (the administrator of chapter﻿ ﻿13 cases in a specific geographic region) generally don't have a material interest in the debtor’s return or return information.

Disclosure of bankruptcy estate's return information to debtor.

The bankruptcy estate's tax return(s) is open, upon written request, to inspection by or disclosure to the individual debtor in a chapter﻿ ﻿7 or 11 bankruptcy. Disclosure of the estate's return to the debtor may be necessary to enable the debtor to determine the amount and nature of the tax attributes, if any, that the debtor assumes when the bankruptcy estate terminates.

Individuals in Chapter 12 or 13

Only individuals may file a chapter﻿ ﻿13 bankruptcy. Chapter 13 relief isn't available to corporations or partnerships. The bankruptcy estate is not treated as a separate entity for tax purposes when an individual files a petition under chapter﻿ ﻿12 (Adjustment of Debts of a Family Farmer or Fisherman with Regular Annual Income) or 13 (Adjustment of Debts of an Individual with Regular Income) of the Bankruptcy Code. In these cases, the individual continues to file the same federal income tax returns that were filed prior to the bankruptcy petition, Form 1040 or 1040-SR.

On the debtor's individual tax return, Form 1040 or 1040-SR, report all income received during the entire year and deduct all allowable expenses. Don't include in income the amount from any debt canceled due to the debtor's bankruptcy. To the extent the debtor has any basis in property, any losses, or any credits that were previously reduced as a result of canceled debt, these reductions must be included on the debtor's return. See Debt Cancellation, later.

Interest on trust accounts in chapter﻿ ﻿13 cases.

In chapter﻿ ﻿13 proceedings, do not include interest earned on amounts held by the trustee in trust accounts as income on the debtor's return. This interest isn't available to either the debtor or creditors; it is available only to the trustee for use by the U.S. Trustee system. The interest is also not taxable to the trustee as income.

Individuals in Chapter 7 or 11

When an individual debtor files for bankruptcy under chapter﻿ ﻿7 or 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, the bankruptcy estate is treated as a new taxable entity, separate from the individual taxpayer.

The bankruptcy estate in a chapter﻿ ﻿7 case is represented by a trustee. The trustee is appointed to administer the estate and liquidate any nonexempt assets. In chapter﻿ ﻿11 cases, the debtor often remains in control of the assets as a “debtor-in-possession” and acts as the bankruptcy trustee. However, the bankruptcy court, for cause, may appoint a trustee if such appointment is in the best interests of the creditors and the estate.

During the chapter﻿ ﻿7 or 11 bankruptcy, the debtor continues to file an individual tax return on Form 1040 or 1040-SR. The bankruptcy trustee files a Form 1041 for the bankruptcy estate. However, when a debtor in a chapter﻿ ﻿11 bankruptcy case remains a debtor-in-possession, the debtor must file both a Form 1040 or 1040-SR individual return and a Form 1041 estate return for the bankruptcy estate (if return filing requirements are met).

Although spouses may file a joint bankruptcy petition for their jointly administered bankruptcy estates, the estates are treated as two separate entities for tax purposes. Two separate bankruptcy estate income tax returns must be filed (if each spouse separately meets the filing requirements).

For information about determining the tax due and paying tax for a chapter﻿ ﻿7 or 11 bankruptcy estate, see Bankruptcy Estate Tax Return Filing Requirements and Payment of Tax Due, later.

Debtor's Election To End Tax Year—Form 1040 or 1040-SR

Short tax years.

An individual debtor in a chapter﻿ ﻿7 or 11 case may elect to close the debtor's tax year for the year in which the bankruptcy petition is filed, as of the day before the date on which the bankruptcy case commences. If the debtor makes this election, the debtor's tax year is divided into 2 short tax years of less than 12 months each. The first tax year ends on the day before the commencement date and the second tax year begins on the commencement date.

If the election is made, the debtor's federal income tax liability for the first short tax year becomes an allowable claim against the bankruptcy estate arising before the bankruptcy filing. Also, the tax liability for the first short tax year isn't subject to discharge under the Bankruptcy Code.

 If the debtor does not make an election to end the tax year, the commencement of the bankruptcy case does not affect the debtor's tax year. Also, no part of the debtor's income tax liability for the year in which the bankruptcy case commences can be collected from the bankruptcy estate.

Note. The debtor cannot make a short tax year election if no assets, other than exempt property, are in the bankruptcy estate.

Making the Election—Filing Requirements

First short tax year.

The debtor can elect to end the debtor's tax year by filing a return on Form 1040 or 1040-SR for the first short tax year. The return must be filed on or before the 15th day of the 4th full month after the end of that 1st tax year.

Second short tax year.

If the debtor elects to end the tax year on the day before filing the bankruptcy case, the debtor must file the return for the first short tax year in the manner discussed above.

If the debtor makes this election, the debtor must also file a separate Form 1040 or 1040-SR for the second short tax year by the regular due date. To avoid delays in processing the return, write “Second Short Year Return After Section 1398 Election” at the top of the return.

Example. Kori Doe, an individual calendar year taxpayer, filed a bankruptcy petition under chapter﻿ ﻿7 or 11 on May 8. If Kori elected to close the tax year at the commencement of Kori’s case, the first short tax year runs from January 1 through May 7. The second short tax year runs from May 8 through December 31. To have a timely filed election for the first short tax year, Kori must file Form 1040 or 1040-SR (or an extension of time to file) for the period January 1 through May 7 by September 15.

To avoid delays in processing the return, write “Section 1398 Election” at the top of the return. The debtor may also make the election by attaching a statement to Form 4868. The statement must state that the debtor elects under Internal Revenue Code section 1398(d)(2) to close the debtor's tax year on the day before filing the bankruptcy case. The debtor must file Form 4868 by the due date of the return for the first short tax year. The debtor's spouse may also elect to close their individual tax year; see Election by debtor's spouse next.

Election by debtor's spouse.

If the debtor is married, the debtor's spouse may join in the election to end the tax year. If the debtor and spouse make a joint election, the debtor must file a joint return for the first short tax year. The debtor must make the election by the due date for filing the return for the first short tax year. Once the election is made, it cannot be revoked for the first short tax year. However, the election does not prevent the debtor and the spouse from filing separate returns for the second short tax year.

Later bankruptcy of spouse.

If the debtor's spouse files for bankruptcy later in the same year, that spouse may also choose to end their own tax year, regardless of whether that spouse joined in the election to end the debtor's tax year.

As each spouse has a separate bankruptcy, one or both of them may have 3 short tax years in the same calendar year. If the debtor's spouse joined the debtor's election or if the debtor had not made the election to end the tax year, the debtor can join in the spouse's election. However, if the debtor made an election and the spouse did not join that election, the debtor cannot then join the spouse's later election. The debtor and the spouse are precluded from this election because they have different tax years. This results because the debtor does not have a tax year ending the day before the spouse's filing for bankruptcy, and the debtor cannot file a joint return for a year ending on the day before the spouse's filing of bankruptcy.

Example 1. Chris and Jesse Harris are calendar-year taxpayers. Chris’s voluntary chapter﻿ ﻿7 bankruptcy case begins on March 4.

If Chris does not make an election, Chris’s tax year does not end on March 3. If Chris makes an election, the first tax year is January 1–March 3, and the second tax year begins on March 4. Jesse could join in Chris’s election as long as they file a joint return for the tax year January 1–March 3. They must make the election by July 15, the due date for filing the joint return.

Example 2. Ash and Kyle Barnes are calendar-year taxpayers. Ash’s voluntary chapter﻿ ﻿7 bankruptcy case begins on May 6, and Kyle’s bankruptcy case begins on November 1 of the same year.

Kyle could elect to end the tax year on October 31. If Ash did not elect to end the tax year on May 5, or elected to do so but Kyle had not joined in that election, Kyle would have 2 tax years in the same calendar year if Kyle closed the tax year. Kyle’s first tax year is January 1–October 31, and the second year is November 1–December 31.

If Ash did not end the tax year as of May 5, Ash could join in Kyle's election to close the tax year on October 31, but only if they file a joint return for the tax year January 1–October 31.

If Ash elected to end the tax year on May 5, but Kyle did not join in Ash’s election, Ash cannot join in Kyle's election to end the tax year on October 31. Ash and Kyle cannot file a joint return for that short tax year because their tax years preceding October 31 were not the same.

Example 3. Reg and Lee Thomas are calendar-year taxpayers. Lee’s voluntary chapter﻿ ﻿7 bankruptcy case began on April 10, and Reg’s voluntary chapter﻿ ﻿7 bankruptcy case began on October 3 of the same year. Lee elected to close the tax year on April 9 and Reg joins in Lee’s election.

Under these facts, Reg would have 3 tax years for the same calendar year if Reg makes the election relating to Reg’s own bankruptcy case. The first tax year would be January 1–April 9; the second, April 10–October 2; and the third, October 3–December 31.

Lee may join in Reg’s election if they file a joint return for the second short tax year (April 10–October 2). If Lee does join in, Lee would have the same 3 short tax years as Reg. Also, if Lee joins in Reg’s election, they may file a joint return for the third tax year (October 3–December 31), but they aren't required to do so.

Annualizing taxable income.

If the debtor elects to close the tax year, the debtor must annualize taxable income for each short tax year in the same manner a change in annual accounting period is calculated. See Short Tax Year in Pub. 538 for information on how to annualize the debtor's income and to figure the tax for the short tax year.

Dismissal of bankruptcy case.

If the bankruptcy court later dismisses an individual chapter﻿ ﻿7 or 11 case, the bankruptcy estate is no longer treated as a separate taxable entity. It is as if no bankruptcy estate was created for tax purposes. In this situation, the debtor must file amended tax returns on Form 1040-X to replace all full- or short-year individual returns (Form 1040 or 1040-SR) and bankruptcy estate returns (Form 1041) filed as a result of the bankruptcy case. Income, deductions, and credits previously reported by the bankruptcy estate must be reported on the debtor's amended returns. Attach a statement to the amended returns explaining why the debtor is filing an amended return.

Taxes and the Bankruptcy Estate

Property of the bankruptcy estate.

At the commencement of a bankruptcy case, a bankruptcy estate is created. Bankruptcy law determines which of the debtor's assets become part of a bankruptcy estate. This estate generally includes all of the debtor's legal and equitable interests in property as of the commencement date. However, there are exceptions and certain property is exempted or excluded from the bankruptcy estate.

Note. Exempt property and abandoned property are initially part of the bankruptcy estate, but are subsequently removed from the estate. Excluded property is never included in the estate.

Transfer of assets between debtor and bankruptcy estate.

The transfer (other than by sale or exchange) of an asset from the debtor to the bankruptcy estate isn't treated as a disposition for income tax purposes. The transfer does not result in gain or loss, acceleration of income or deductions, or recapture of deductions or credits. For example, the transfer of an installment obligation to the estate would not accelerate gain under the rules for reporting installment sales. The estate assumes the same basis, holding period, and character of the transferred assets. Also, the estate generally accounts for the transferred assets in the same manner as the debtor.

When the bankruptcy estate is terminated or dissolved, any resulting transfer (other than by sale or exchange) of the estate's assets back to the debtor is also not treated as a disposition for tax purposes. The transfer does not result in gain or loss, acceleration of income or deductions, or recapture of deductions or credits to the estate.

Abandoned property.

The abandonment of property by the estate to the debtor is a nontaxable disposition of property. If the debtor received abandoned property from the bankruptcy estate, the debtor assumes the same basis in the property that the bankruptcy estate had.

Separate taxable entity.

When an individual files a bankruptcy petition under chapter﻿ ﻿7 or 11, the bankruptcy estate is treated as a separate taxable entity from the debtor. The court appointed trustee or the debtor-in-possession is responsible for preparing and filing all of the bankruptcy estate's tax returns, including its income tax return, on Form 1041, and paying its taxes. The debtor remains responsible for filing their own returns on Form 1040 or 1040-SR and paying taxes on income that does not belong to the estate.

Employer identification number (EIN).

The trustee or debtor-in-possession must obtain an EIN for a bankruptcy estate. The trustee or debtor-in-possession uses this EIN on all tax returns filed for the bankruptcy estate with the IRS, including estimated tax returns. See Employer identification number (EIN) under Bankruptcy Estate Tax Return Filing Requirements and Payment of Tax Due, later.

Caution-SSN/EINThe social security number (SSN) of the individual debtor cannot be used as the EIN for the bankruptcy estate.

Income, deductions, and credits—Form 1040 or 1040-SR.

In an individual chapter﻿ ﻿7 or 11 bankruptcy case, don't include the income, deductions, and credits that belong to the bankruptcy estate on the debtor's individual income tax return (Form 1040 or 1040-SR). Also, don't include as income on the debtor's return the amount of any debt canceled by reason of the bankruptcy discharge. The bankruptcy estate must reduce certain losses, credits, and the basis in property (to the extent of these items) by the amount of canceled debt. See Debt Cancellation, later.

Note. The debtor may not be able to claim certain deductions available to the bankruptcy estate, such as administrative expenses. Additionally, the bankruptcy exclusion cannot be used to exclude income from a canceled debt if the discharge of indebtedness was not within the bankruptcy case, even though the debtor was under the bankruptcy court's protection at the time. However, other exclusions, such as the insolvency exclusion, may apply.

Bankruptcy Estate—Income, Deductions, and Credits

Bankruptcy Estate Income

Income of the estate in individual chapter﻿ ﻿7 cases.

The gross income of the bankruptcy estate includes gross income of the debtor to which the estate is entitled under the Bankruptcy Code. Gross income also includes income generated by the bankruptcy estate from property of the estate after the commencement of the case.

Gross income of the bankruptcy estate does not include amounts received or accrued by the debtor before the commencement of the case. Additionally, in chapter﻿ ﻿7 cases, gross income of the bankruptcy estate does not include any income that the debtor earns after the date of the bankruptcy petition.

Income of the estate in individual chapter﻿ ﻿11 cases.

In chapter﻿ ﻿11 cases, under Internal Revenue Code section 1398(e)(1), gross income of the bankruptcy estate includes income that the debtor earns for services performed after the bankruptcy petition date. Also, earnings from services performed by an individual debtor after the commencement of the chapter﻿ ﻿11 case are property of the bankruptcy estate under section 1115 of the Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. section 1115).

Note. A debtor-in-possession may be compensated by the estate for managing or operating a trade or business that the debtor conducted before the commencement of the bankruptcy case. Such payments should be reported by the debtor as miscellaneous income on their individual income tax return (Form 1040 or 1040-SR).

Amounts paid by the estate to the debtor-in-possession for managing or operating the trade or business may qualify as administrative expenses of the estate. See Administrative expenses, later.

Conversion or dismissal of chapter﻿ ﻿11 cases.

If a chapter﻿ ﻿11 case is converted to a chapter﻿ ﻿13 case, the chapter﻿ ﻿13 estate isn't a separate taxable entity and earnings from post-conversion services and income from property of the estate realized after the conversion to chapter﻿ ﻿13 are taxed to the debtor. If the chapter﻿ ﻿11 case is converted to a chapter﻿ ﻿7 case, 11 U.S.C. section 1115 does not apply after conversion and:

Earnings from post-conversion services will be taxed to the debtor, rather than the estate; and

The property of the chapter﻿ ﻿11 estate will become property of the chapter﻿ ﻿7 estate.

 Any income on this property will be taxed to the estate even if the income is realized after the conversion to chapter﻿ ﻿7. If a chapter﻿ ﻿11 case is dismissed, the debtor is treated as if the bankruptcy case had never been filed and as if no bankruptcy estate had been created.

Bankruptcy Estate Deductions and Credits

A bankruptcy estate deducts expenses incurred in a trade, business, or activity, and uses credits in the same way the debtor would have deducted or credited them had they continued operations.

Note.  Expenses may be disallowed under other provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (such as the disallowance of certain capital expenditures or expenses relating to tax-exempt interest).

Administrative expenses.

Allowable expenses include administrative expenses.

CautionAdministrative expenses can only be deducted by the estate, never by the debtor.

The bankruptcy estate is allowed deductions for bankruptcy administrative expenses and fees, including accounting fees, attorney fees, and court costs. These expenses are deductible on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), as allowable in arriving at adjusted gross income because they would not have been incurred if property had not been held by the bankruptcy estate. See Internal Revenue Code section 67(e) and Final Regulations - TD9918.

Note. Report this amount as a write-in on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), Part II, line﻿ ﻿24z.

Administrative expenses of the bankruptcy estate attributable to conducting a trade or business or for the production of estate rents or royalties are deductible in arriving at adjusted gross income on Form 1040 or 1040-SR, Schedules C, E, and F.

Note. The bankruptcy estate uses Form 1041 as a transmittal for the tax return prepared using Form 1040 or 1040-SR and its schedules. See Transmittal for Form 1040 or 1040-SR under Bankruptcy Estate Tax Return Filing Requirements and Payment of Tax Due, later.

Administrative expense loss (AEL).

If the administrative expenses of the bankruptcy estate are more than its gross income for a tax year, the excess amount is an AEL. An AEL may be carried back 3 years and forward 7 years. The AEL amounts can only be carried to a tax year of the estate and never to a debtor's tax year. An AEL must first be carried back to the earliest year possible. However, net operating loss (NOL) carrybacks (see Carrybacks from the bankruptcy estate, later, regarding farm losses) and carryovers must be applied against income of the estate (and are reduced) before administrative loss carrybacks and carryovers. See Internal Revenue Code section 1398(h)(2)(C).

Attribute carryovers.

The bankruptcy estate may use its tax attributes the same way that the debtor would have used them. These items are determined as of the first day of the debtor's tax year in which the bankruptcy case begins. The bankruptcy estate assumes the following tax attributes from the debtor.

 NOL carryovers.

Carryovers of excess charitable contributions.

Recovery of tax benefit items.

Credit carryovers.

Capital loss carryovers.

Basis, holding period, and character of assets.

Method of accounting.

Passive activity loss and credit carryovers.

Unused at-risk deductions.

Other tax attributes provided in the regulations.

Certain tax attributes of the bankruptcy estate must be reduced by the amount of income that was previously excluded as a result of cancellation of debt during the bankruptcy proceeding. See Debt Cancellation, later.

When the bankruptcy estate is terminated (for example, when the case ends), the debtor assumes any remaining tax attributes previously taken over by the bankruptcy estate. The debtor also generally assumes any of the tax attributes, listed above, that arose during the administration of the bankruptcy estate.

Note. The debtor does not assume the bankruptcy estate's AELs because they cannot be used by an individual taxpayer filing Form 1040 or 1040-SR. See Administrative expense loss, earlier.

Passive and at-risk activities.

For bankruptcy cases beginning after November 8, 1992, passive activity carryover losses and credits and unused at-risk deductions are treated as tax attributes passing from the debtor to the bankruptcy estate, which the estate then passes back to the debtor when the bankruptcy estate terminates. Additionally, transfers to the debtor (other than by sale or exchange) of interests in passive or at-risk activities are treated as nontaxable exchanges. These transfers include the return of exempt property and abandonment of estate property to the debtor.

Carrybacks from the debtor's activities.

The debtor cannot carry back any NOL or credit carryback from a tax year ending after the bankruptcy case has begun to any tax year ending before the case began.

Carrybacks from the bankruptcy estate.

The estate may carry back excess credits, such as the general business credit, to the pre-bankruptcy tax years.

Generally, an NOL arising in a tax year beginning in 2021 or later may not be carried back and instead must be carried forward indefinitely. However, farming losses arising in tax years beginning in 2021 or later may be carried back 2 years and carried forward indefinitely. See Pubs. 536 and 225 for more information.

Tax Reporting—Chapter 11 Cases

Allocation of income and credits on information returns and required statement for returns for individual chapter﻿ ﻿11 cases.

In chapter﻿ ﻿11 cases, when an employer issues a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, reporting all of the debtor's wages, salary, or other compensation for a calendar year, and a portion of the earnings represents post-petition services includible in the estate's gross income, the Form W-2 amounts must be allocated between the estate and the debtor. The debtor-in-possession or trustee must allocate the income amount reported in box 1 and the income tax withheld reported in box 2 between the debtor and the estate. These allocations must reflect that the debtor's gross earnings from post-petition services and gross income from post-petition property are, generally, includible in the estate's gross income and not the debtor's gross income. The debtor and trustee may use a simple percentage method to allocate income and income tax withheld. The same method must be used to allocate the income and the withheld tax.

Example. If 20% of the wages reported on Form W-2 for a calendar year were earned after the commencement of the case and are included in the estate's gross income, 20% of the withheld income tax reported on Form W-2 must also be claimed as a credit on the estate's income tax return. Likewise, 80% of wages must be reported by the debtor and 80% of the income tax withheld must be claimed as a credit on the debtor's income tax return. See Internal Revenue Code section 31(a).

If information returns are issued to the debtor for gross income, gross proceeds, or other reportable payments that should have been reported to the bankruptcy estate, the debtor-in-possession or trustee must allocate the improperly reported income in a reasonable manner between the debtor and the estate. In general, the allocation must ensure that any income and income tax withheld attributable to the post-petition period are reported on the estate's return, and any income and income tax withheld attributable to the pre-petition period are reported on the debtor's return.

IRS Notice 2006﻿-﻿83 requires the debtor to attach a statement to their individual income tax return (Form 1040 or 1040-SR) stating that the return is filed subject to a chapter﻿ ﻿11 bankruptcy case. The statement must also:

Show the allocations of income and income tax withheld;

Describe the method used to allocate income and income tax withheld; and

List the filing date of the bankruptcy case, the bankruptcy court in which the case is pending, the bankruptcy court case number, and the bankruptcy estate's EIN.

Note. The debtor-in-possession or trustee must attach a similar statement to the bankruptcy estate's income tax return (Form 1041).

The model Notice 2006﻿-﻿83 Statement, shown later, may be used by debtors, debtors-in-possession, and trustees to satisfy the reporting requirement.

Self-employment taxes in individual chapter﻿ ﻿11 cases.

Internal Revenue Code section 1401 imposes a tax upon self-employment income, that is, the net earnings from self-employment of an individual. Net earnings from self-employment are equal to the gross income derived by an individual from any trade or business carried on by such individual, less deductions attributable to the business.

Neither section 1115 of the Bankruptcy Code nor Internal Revenue Code section 1398 addresses the application of self-employment tax to the post-petition earnings of the individual debtor. Therefore, if the debtor continues to derive gross income from the performance of services as a self-employed individual after the commencement of the bankruptcy case, the debtor must continue to report the debtor's self-employment income on Schedule﻿ ﻿SE (Form 1040) of the debtor's income tax return. This schedule includes self-employment income earned post-petition and the attributable deductions. The debtor must pay any self-employment tax imposed by Internal Revenue Code section 1401.

Employment taxes and employer's obligation to file Form W-2 in individual chapter﻿ ﻿11 cases.

In chapter﻿ ﻿11 cases, post-petition wages earned by a debtor are generally treated as gross income of the estate. However, section 1115 of the Bankruptcy Code does not affect the determination of what are deemed wages for Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax, Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) tax, or federal income tax withholding purposes. See Notice 2006﻿-﻿83.

The reporting and withholding obligations of a debtor's employer also don't change. An employer should continue to report the wages and tax withholding on a Form W-2 issued under the debtor's name and SSN.

Notice to persons required to file information returns (other than Form W-2) in individual chapter﻿ ﻿11 cases.

Within a reasonable time after the commencement of a chapter﻿ ﻿11 bankruptcy case, the trustee or debtor-in-possession should provide notification of the bankruptcy estate's EIN to all persons (or entities) that are required to file information returns for the bankruptcy estate's gross income, gross proceeds, or other types of reportable payments. See Internal Revenue Code section 6109(a)(2). As these payments are the property of the estate under section 1115 of the Bankruptcy Code, the payors should report the gross income, gross proceeds, or other reportable payments on the appropriate information return using the estate's name and EIN, as required under the Internal Revenue Code and regulations (see Internal Revenue Code sections 6041 through 6049).

The trustee or debtor-in-possession should not, however, provide the EIN to a person (or entity) filing Form W-2 reporting the debtor's wages or other compensation, as section 1115 of the Bankruptcy Code does not affect the determination of what constitutes wages for purposes of federal income tax withholding or FICA. See Notice 2006﻿-﻿83. An employer should continue to report all wage income and tax withholding, both pre-petition and post-petition, on a Form W-2 to the debtor under the debtor's SSN.

The debtor in a chapter﻿ ﻿11 case isn't required to file a new Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate, with an employer solely because the debtor filed a chapter﻿ ﻿11 case and the post-petition wages are includible in the estate's income and not the debtor's income. However, a new Form W-4 may be necessary if the debtor is no longer entitled to claim the same adjustments previously claimed because certain deductions or credits now belong to the estate. See Employment Tax Regulations section 31.3402(f)(2)-1. Additionally, the debtor may wish to file a new Form W-4 to increase the income tax withheld from post-petition wages allocated to the estate to avoid having to make estimated tax payments for the estate. See Internal Revenue Code section 6654(a).

Notice required in converted and dismissed cases.

When a chapter﻿ ﻿11 bankruptcy case is closed, dismissed, or converted to a chapter﻿ ﻿12 or 13 case, the bankruptcy estate ends as a separate taxable entity. The debtor should, within a reasonable time, send notice of such event to the persons (or entities) previously notified of the bankruptcy case. This helps to ensure that gross income, proceeds, and other reportable payments realized after the event are reported to the debtor under the correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) rather than to the estate.

When a chapter﻿ ﻿11 case is converted to a chapter﻿ ﻿7 case, the bankruptcy estate will continue to exist as a separate taxable entity. Gross income (other than post-conversion income from the debtor's services), gross proceeds, or other reportable payments should continue to be reported to the estate if they are property of the chapter﻿ ﻿7 estate. However, income from services performed by the debtor after conversion of the case to chapter﻿ ﻿7 isn't property of the chapter﻿ ﻿7 estate. After the conversion, the debtor should notify payors required to report the debtor's nonemployee compensation that compensation earned after the conversion should be reported using the debtor's name and TIN, not the estate's name and EIN.

Employment taxes.

The trustee or debtor-in-possession must withhold income, social security, and Medicare taxes and file employment tax returns for any wages paid by the trustee or debtor, including wage claims paid as administrative expenses. See Pub. 15, (Circular E), Employer's Tax Guide, for details on employer tax responsibilities.

The trustee also has the duty to prepare and file Forms W-2 for wage claims paid by the trustee, regardless of whether the claims accrued before or during bankruptcy. For a further discussion of employment taxes, see Employment Taxes, later.

Notice 2006﻿-﻿83

Notice 2006﻿-﻿83 Statement

Pending Bankruptcy Case

The taxpayer,                 , filed a bankruptcy petition under chapter﻿ ﻿11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the bankruptcy court for the District of            . The bankruptcy court case number is          . Gross income, and withheld federal income tax, reported on Form W-2, Forms 1099, Schedule﻿ ﻿K-1, and other information returns received under the taxpayer's name and social security number (or other taxpayer identification number) are allocated between the taxpayer's TIN and the bankruptcy estate's EIN as follows, using [describe allocation method]:                             .

Year

Taxpayer

Estate

1.

Form W-2, Payor:                 

$

$

Withheld income tax shown on Form W-2

$

$

2.

Form 1099-INT Payor:              

$

$

Withheld income tax (if any) shown on Form 1099-INT

$

$

3.

Form 1099-DIV Payor:              

$

$

Withheld income tax (if any) shown on Form 1099-DIV

$

$

4.

Form 1099-MISC Payor:             

$

$

Withheld income tax (if any) shown on Form 1099-MISC

$

$

Bankruptcy Estate Tax Return Filing Requirements and Payment of Tax Due

Filing Requirements

Filing threshold.

If the bankruptcy estate has gross income that meets or exceeds the minimum amount required for filing, the trustee or debtor-in-possession must file an income tax return on Form 1041. This amount is equal to the basic standard deduction for a married individual filing separately.

For 2024, the threshold filing amount for a bankruptcy estate is $14,600 (this amount is equal to the $14,600 standard deduction for married individuals filing separately).

This amount is generally adjusted annually. See the Form 1041 instructions at IRS.gov/Form1041 for the current threshold amount for future years.

Accounting period.

A bankruptcy estate may have a fiscal year. However, this period cannot be longer than 12 months.

Change of accounting period.

The bankruptcy estate may change its accounting period (tax year) once without IRS approval. This rule allows the bankruptcy trustee to close the estate's tax year early, before the expected termination of the bankruptcy estate. The trustee can then file a return for the first short tax year to get a quick determination of the estate's tax liability.

Employer identification number (EIN).

The trustee or debtor-in-possession must obtain an EIN for a bankruptcy estate. The trustee or debtor-in-possession uses this EIN on all tax returns filed for the bankruptcy estate with the IRS, including estimated tax returns.

Caution-SSN/EINThe SSN of the individual debtor cannot be used as the EIN for the bankruptcy estate.

Obtain an EIN for a bankruptcy estate by applying in one of the following ways.

Apply for an EIN online at IRS.gov/EIN. The EIN is issued immediately once the application information is validated.

By mailing or faxing Form SS-4.

If the trustee or debtor-in-possession hasn't received the bankruptcy estate's EIN by the time the return is due, write “Applied for” and the date you applied in the space for the EIN. For more details, see Pub. 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records.

Trustees representing 10 or more bankruptcy estates (other than estates that will be filing employment or excise tax returns) may request a series or block of EINs.

Figuring tax due.

The bankruptcy estate figures its taxable income the same way an individual figures taxable income. However, the estate uses the tax rates for a married individual filing separately to calculate the tax on its taxable income. The estate may either itemize deductions or take the basic standard deduction for a married individual filing a separate return. The estate cannot take the higher standard deduction allowed for married persons filing separately who are age 65 or older or blind.

Tax rate schedule.The tax on income for bankruptcy estates is calculated using the tax rate schedule for Married Individuals Filing Separately, not the Estates and Trusts tax rate schedule.

When to file.

Calendar-year bankruptcy estates must file Form 1041 by April 15. Fiscal-year bankruptcy estates must file on or before the 15th day of the 4th month following the close of its tax year. For example, an estate that has a tax year that ends on June 30 must file Form 1041 by October 15 of the tax year. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, file on the next business day.

Note. The bankruptcy estate is allowed an automatic 6-month extension of time to file the bankruptcy estate tax return upon filing the required application, Form 7004.

An estate (other than a bankruptcy estate) and a trust filing Form 1041 are eligible for an automatic 5﻿ ﻿1﻿/﻿2-month extension of time to file, which is due September 30. Bankruptcy estate income tax returns are due October 15 (unless a fiscal year) and are eligible for a 6-month extension. See Form 7004.

Transmittal for Form 1040 or 1040-SR.

Form 1041 is used as a transmittal for Form 1040 or 1040-SR. If a return is required, the trustee or debtor-in-possession must complete the identification area at the top of Form 1041 and indicate the chapter under which the bankruptcy estate filed, either chapter﻿ ﻿7 or 11.

Prepare the bankruptcy estate's return by completing Form 1040 or 1040-SR. In the top margin of Form 1040 or 1040-SR, write “Attachment to Form 1041—DO NOT DETACH.” Then, attach Form 1040 or 1040-SR to the Form 1041 transmittal. Enter the tax and payment amounts on lines 24 through 30 of Form 1041, then sign and date the return. An example of a bankruptcy estate's tax return is shown later.

Note. The filing of the bankruptcy estate's tax return does not relieve a debtor from the requirement to file their individual tax return on Form 1040 or 1040-SR.

Payment of Tax Due

Payment methods.

Payment of tax due may be made by check or money order or by credit or debit card. For information on how to make payments electronically by debit or credit card or digital wallet, go to IRS.gov/PayByCard.

 Payments may also be made electronically using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), a free tax payment system that allows you to make payments online or by phone. To get more information about EFTPS or to enroll in EFTPS, go to EFTPS.gov or call 800﻿-﻿555﻿-﻿4477. To contact EFTPS using the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, dial 711 and provide the TRS assistant the 800﻿-﻿555﻿-﻿4477 number above or 800﻿-﻿733﻿-﻿4829. For more information, see Pub. 966, Electronic Federal Tax Payment System: A Guide to Getting Started.

Payment voucher—Form 1041-V.

Form 1041-V accompanies payments made by check or money order for Form 1041. The voucher includes information about the bankruptcy estate, including the name of the bankruptcy estate, trustee, EIN, and amount due. Using Form 1041-V assists the IRS in processing the payment more accurately and efficiently. We recommend the use of Form 1041-V; however, there is no penalty if the voucher isn't used.

Estimated tax—Form 1041-ES.

In most cases, the trustee or debtor-in-possession must pay any required estimated tax due for the bankruptcy estate. See the Form 1041-ES instructions for information on the minimum threshold amount required for filing Form 1041-ES, paying the estimated tax, and exceptions to filing.

Employment Taxes

The trustee or debtor-in-possession must withhold income, social security, and Medicare taxes and file employment tax returns for any wages paid by the trustee or debtor, including wage claims paid as administrative expenses. Until these employment taxes are deposited, as required by the Internal Revenue Code, they should be set aside in a separate bank account to ensure that funds are available to satisfy the liability. If the employment taxes aren't paid as required, the trustee may be held personally liable for payment of the taxes. See Pub. 15 for details on employer tax responsibilities. Also see Notice 931, Deposit Requirements for Employment Taxes, for details on the deposit rules, including the requirement that federal employment tax deposits be made by electronic funds transfer.

The trustee also has a duty to prepare and file Forms W-2, for wage claims paid by the trustee, regardless of whether the claims accrued before or during bankruptcy. If the debtor fails to prepare and file Forms W-2 for wages paid before bankruptcy, the trustee should instruct the employees to file a Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, or Form 1099-R, Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc., with their individual income tax returns.

Example—Tax Due

This publication isn't revised annually. Future changes to the forms and their instructions may not be reflected in this example.

Note. The following information was prepared for tax year 2024. In 2024, the threshold filing amount for a bankruptcy estate was $14,600 (this amount is equal to the $14,600 standard deduction for married individuals filing separately).

Facts and circumstances.

On December 15, 2023, Dylan Smith filed a bankruptcy petition under chapter﻿ ﻿7. Riley Black was appointed trustee to administer the bankruptcy estate and to distribute the assets.

The estate received the following assets from Dylan.

A $100,000 certificate of deposit.

Commercial rental real estate with a fair market value (FMV) of $280,000.

A personal residence with an FMV of $200,000.

Also, the estate received a $251,500 capital loss carryover.

Dylan's bankruptcy case was closed on December 31, 2024. During 2024, Dylan was relieved of $70,000 of debt by the bankruptcy court. The estate chose a calendar year as its tax year. Riley, the trustee, reviews the estate's transactions and reports the taxable events on the estate's final return.

Schedule﻿ ﻿B (Form 1040).

The certificate of deposit earned $5,500 of interest during 2024. Riley reports this interest on Schedule﻿ ﻿B. Riley completes this schedule, then enters the result on Form 1040 or 1040-SR.

Form 4797.

The commercial real estate was sold on July 1, 2024, for $280,000. The property was purchased in 2005 at a cost of $250,000. Additionally, $25,000 of selling expenses were incurred. Assume the total depreciation allowable as of the date of sale was $125,000. Riley reports the gain of $130,000 from the sale on Form 4797 and then enters the gain on Schedule﻿ ﻿D (Form 1040).

Dylan's former residence was sold on September 30, 2024. The sale price was $200,000, the selling expenses were $20,000, and Dylan’s adjusted basis was $140,000. This sale is excluded from gross income under Internal Revenue Code section 121.

Note. Gains from the sale of personal residences are excluded from gross income up to $250,000 under Internal Revenue Code section 121 ($500,000 for married couples filing a joint return). Bankruptcy estates succeed to this exclusion at the commencement of the case. See Regulations section 1.1398﻿-﻿3.

Schedule﻿ ﻿E (Form 1040).

The commercial real estate was rented through the date of sale. Riley reports the income and expenses on Schedule﻿ ﻿E. In 2024, there was net rental income of $40,000. Riley completes this schedule, then enters the net income on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), Part I, line﻿ ﻿5.

Schedule﻿ ﻿D (Form 1040).

Riley completes Schedule﻿ ﻿D, taking into account the $251,500 capital loss carryover from 2023. Riley then enters the 2024 allowable capital loss of $1,500 from Schedule﻿ ﻿D on Form 1040 or 1040-SR.

Schedule 1 (Form 1040).

Riley reports the net rental income of $40,000 from Schedule﻿ ﻿E on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), Part I, line﻿ ﻿5. Riley also reports the bankruptcy estate’s administrative expenses of $10,000 as an adjustment to income on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), Part II, line﻿ ﻿24z. Riley completes this schedule, then enters the result on Form 1040 or 1040-SR.

Schedule﻿ ﻿A (Form 1040).

During 2024, the bankruptcy estate paid mortgage interest of $10,000 and real property tax of $4,000 on Dylan’s former residence. It also paid income tax of $1,000 to the state. Riley enters the mortgage interest, real estate tax, and income tax on Schedule﻿ ﻿A. Riley completes Schedule﻿ ﻿A, then enters the total itemized deductions of $15,000 on Form 1040 or 1040-SR.

Form 982.

Riley completes the Schedule﻿ ﻿D Tax Worksheet to figure the capital loss carryover. Because $70,000 of debt was canceled, Riley must reduce the tax attributes of the estate by the amount of the canceled debt. See Debt Cancellation, later. After the bankruptcy case ends, Dylan will assume the estate's tax attributes. Dylan will assume a capital loss carryover of $50,000 ($120,000 carryover minus the $70,000 attribute reduction) for use in preparation of Dylan’s individual tax return (Form 1040 or 1040-SR).

Note. If the bankruptcy estate had continued, the capital loss carryover would be available to the bankruptcy estate for the 2025 tax year.

Tax computation.

The bankruptcy estate’s 2024 tax due is computed as follows.

Income:

Interest income

$﻿ ﻿5,500

Capital loss

(1,500)

Net rental income

40,000

Total income

$44,000

Minus: Adjustments to income

10,000

Adjusted gross income

$34,000

Minus: Itemized deductions

15,000

Taxable income

$19,000

Tax due

$2,051

Form 1040 or 1040-SR.

Riley determines the bankruptcy estate's taxable income and figures its tax using the tax rate schedule for Married Individuals Filing Separately.

Form 1041.

Riley enters the total tax, any estimated tax payments, and tax due from Form 1040 or 1040-SR on Form 1041. Riley completes the identification area at the top of Form 1041, then signs and dates the return as the trustee on behalf of the bankruptcy estate.

Partnerships and Corporations

Filing Requirements

A separate taxable estate isn't created when a partnership or corporation files a bankruptcy petition and their tax return filing requirements don't change. The debtor-in-possession, or court-appointed trustee, must file the entity's income tax returns on Form 1065, U.S. Return of Partnership Income; Form 1120, U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return; or Form 1120-S, U.S. Income Tax Return for an S Corporation.

In cases where a trustee isn't appointed, the debtor-in-possession continues business operations and remains in possession of the business' property during the bankruptcy proceeding. The debtor-in-possession, rather than the general partner of a partnership or corporate officer of a corporation, assumes the fiduciary responsibility to file the business' tax returns.

Partnerships

The filing requirements for a partnership in a bankruptcy proceeding don't change. However, the responsibility to file the required returns becomes that of the trustee or debtor-in-possession.

A partnership's debt that is canceled as a result of the bankruptcy proceeding isn't included in the partnership's income. However, it may or may not be included in the individual partner’s income. See Partnerships, later, under Debt Cancellation.

Corporations

The filing requirements for a corporation in a bankruptcy proceeding also don't change. A bankruptcy trustee, or debtor-in-possession, having possession of or holding title to substantially all of the property or business operations of the debtor corporation, must file the debtor's corporate income tax return for the tax year.

The following discussion only highlights bankruptcy tax rules applying to corporations. The complex details of corporate bankruptcy reorganizations are beyond the scope of this publication. Therefore, you may wish to seek the help of a professional tax advisor. See Corporations under Debt Cancellation, later, for information about a corporation's debt canceled in a bankruptcy proceeding.

Tax-Free Reorganizations

The tax-free reorganization provisions of the Internal Revenue Code allow a corporation to transfer all or part of its assets to another corporation in a bankruptcy under title 11 of the United States Code. However, under the reorganization plan, the stock or securities of the corporation to which the assets are transferred must be distributed in a transaction that qualifies under Internal Revenue Code section 354, 355, or 356.

Generally, Internal Revenue Code section 354 provides that no gain or loss is recognized if a corporation's stock or securities are exchanged solely for stock or securities in a corporation that is a party to the reorganization under a qualifying reorganization plan. In this case, shareholders in the bankrupt corporation would recognize no gain or loss if they exchange their stock solely for stock or securities of the corporation acquiring the bankrupt corporation's assets. Similarly, creditors who hold securities in the bankrupt corporation would recognize no gain or loss if they exchange their securities for stock or securities of an equal principal amount of a corporation that is a party of reorganization under a qualifying reorganization plan.

Internal Revenue Code section 355 generally provides that no gain or loss is recognized by a shareholder or security holder if a corporation distributes solely stock or securities (or securities of any equal principal amount where securities are exchanged for securities) of another corporation that the distributing corporation controls immediately before the distribution.

Internal Revenue Code section 356 allows tax-free exchanges in situations that would qualify under Internal Revenue Code section 354 or 355, except that other property or money, in addition to the permitted stock or securities, is received by the shareholder. In this situation, gain is recognized by the shareholder, but only to the extent of the money and the FMV of the other property received. No loss is recognized in this situation.

Exemption From Tax Return Filing

A trustee in a corporate bankruptcy case may apply to the IRS for relief from filing federal income tax returns for the corporation. To qualify, the corporation must have ceased business operations and have no assets or income for the tax year. The exemption request must be submitted to the local IRS Insolvency Office handling the case.

The request to the IRS must include the name, address, and EIN of the corporation and a statement of the facts (with any supporting documents) showing why the debtor needs relief from the filing requirements. The request must also include the following statement.

“I hereby request relief from filing federal income tax returns for tax years ending _____ for the above-named corporation and declare under penalties of perjury that to the best of my knowledge and belief the information contained herein is correct.”

The statement must be signed by the trustee. The IRS will act on your request within 90 days.

Disclosure of return information to trustee.

Upon written request, current and earlier returns of the debtor are open to inspection by or disclosure to the trustee. However, in bankruptcy cases other than those of individuals filing under chapter﻿ ﻿7 or 11, such as a corporate bankruptcy, the IRS must find that the trustee has a material interest that will be affected by information on the return. Material interest is generally defined as a financial or monetary interest. Material interest isn't limited to the trustee's responsibility to file a return on behalf of the bankruptcy estate.

Receiverships

Court-established receiverships sometimes arise in connection with bankruptcies. Certain court-established receiverships should be treated as qualified settlement funds (QSFs) for purposes of Internal Revenue Code section 468B and the underlying Treasury regulations. QSFs are required to file an annual income tax return, Form 1120-SF, U.S. Income Tax Return for Settlement Funds. More information about QSFs may be found in Regulations sections 1.468B-1 through -5.

Determination of Tax

The determination of the proper amount of tax due for a tax year begins with the bankruptcy estate's filing of Form 1041, and the individual debtor's filing of Form 1040 or 1040-SR, or for bankrupt entities filing Form 1065, 1120, or 1120-S. After a return is filed, the IRS will either accept the return as filed or select the return for examination. Under examination, the IRS may redetermine the tax liability shown on the return. If the bankruptcy estate or debtor disagrees with the redetermined tax due, the tax as redetermined by the IRS may be contested in the bankruptcy court, or Tax Court, as applicable. See Court Jurisdiction Over Tax Matters, later.

Prompt Determination Requests

Pursuant to Revenue Procedure 2006﻿-﻿24, 2006﻿-﻿22 I.R.B. 943, available at IRS.gov/irb/2006﻿-﻿22_IRB/ar12, as modified by Announcement 2011﻿-﻿77, available at IRS.gov/irb/2011﻿-﻿51_IRB/ar13, the bankruptcy trustee may request a determination of any unpaid tax liability incurred by the bankruptcy estate during the administration of the case by filing a tax return and a request for such determination with the IRS. Unless the return is fraudulent or contains a material misrepresentation, the estate, the trustee, the debtor, and any successor to the debtor are discharged from liability upon payment of the tax:

As determined by the IRS;

As determined by the bankruptcy court, after completion of the IRS examination; or

As shown on the return, if the IRS does not:

Notify the trustee within 60 days after the request for determination that the return has been selected for examination, or

Complete the examination and notify the trustee of any tax due within 180 days after the request (or any additional time permitted by the bankruptcy court).

Making the request for determination.

As detailed in Revenue Procedure 2006﻿-﻿24, as modified by Announcement 2011﻿-﻿77, to request a prompt determination of any unpaid tax liability of the estate, the trustee must file a signed written request, in duplicate, with the IRS. The trustee should send the request using the preferred method by fax to 844﻿-﻿250﻿-﻿2035. This fax number is only for prompt packages. No other items should be faxed to this number. The trustee can also mail the request to the following address, marked “Request for Prompt Determination.”

Internal Revenue Service

Centralized Insolvency Operation

P.O. Box 7346

Philadelphia, PA 19101﻿-﻿7346

The request must be submitted in duplicate and must be executed under penalties of perjury. In addition, the trustee must submit along with the request an exact copy of the return(s) filed by the trustee with the IRS for each completed tax period. The request must contain the following information.

A statement indicating that it is a Request for Prompt Determination of Tax Liability, specifying the type of return and tax period for each return being filed.

The name and location of the office where the return was filed.

The name of the debtor.

Debtor's SSN, TIN, or EIN. Note. In the case of an individual, the request must include the debtor's SSN or TIN. In the case of a non-individual, the request must include the debtor's EIN.

Type of bankruptcy estate.

Bankruptcy case number.

Court where the bankruptcy case is pending.

The copy of the return(s) submitted with the request must be an exact copy of a valid return. A request for prompt determination will be considered incomplete and returned to the trustee if it is filed with a copy of a document that does not qualify as a valid return.

CautionTo qualify as valid, a return must meet certain criteria, including a signature under penalties of perjury. A document filed by the trustee with the jurat stricken, deleted, or modified doesn’t qualify as a valid return.

Examination of return.

The IRS will notify the trustee within 60 days from receipt of the request whether the return filed by the trustee has been selected for examination or has been accepted as filed. If the return is selected for examination, it will be examined as soon as possible. The IRS will notify the trustee of any tax due within 180 days from receipt of the application or within any additional time permitted by the bankruptcy court.

If a prompt determination request is incomplete, all the documents received by the IRS will be returned to the trustee by the assigned Centralized Insolvency Operation office with an explanation identifying the missing item(s) and instructions to re-file the request once corrected.

Once corrected, the request must be filed with the IRS at the Centralized Insolvency Operation office address specified in the correspondence accompanying the returned incomplete request.

In the case of an incomplete request submitted with a copy of an invalid return document, the trustee must file a valid original return with the appropriate IRS office and submit a copy of that return with the corrected request when the request is re-filed.

Note. An incomplete request includes those submitted with a copy of a return form, the original of which does not qualify as a valid return.

The 60-day period to notify the trustee whether the return is accepted as filed or has been selected for examination does not begin to run until a complete request package is received by the IRS. The complete request package must be filed with the Field Insolvency Office specified by the IRS in its correspondence returning the incomplete request for the 60-day period to begin to run.

If the IRS does select the estate's return for examination and redetermines the tax shown on the return, the trustee may contest the IRS's determination in bankruptcy court. See Bankruptcy Court, later.

The automatic stay.

When the debtor files a petition with the bankruptcy court, the debtor receives the protection of the automatic stay. The automatic stay arises as a matter of law and, with certain exceptions, suspends most collection activity. The automatic stay applies to all entities, including governmental units.

The automatic stay prohibits acts to collect taxes that arose before the bankruptcy filing. IRS collection actions such as serving Notices of Federal Tax Lien or Levy are prohibited if they were intended to collect pre-bankruptcy debts or property of the estate. The automatic stay also stops the commencement or continuation of civil actions, including certain Tax Court cases.

Generally, the automatic stay to collect taxes continues until either the bankruptcy court lifts the stay, the bankruptcy case is closed or dismissed, or the debtor receives a discharge.

Note. The stay against property of the estate does not end (as long as the property is in the estate) unless the stay is lifted (removed).

Tax audits and the automatic stay.

The automatic stay does not prohibit the IRS from determining the amount of a tax that is owed. The automatic stay does not prohibit:

An audit to determine tax liability,

A demand for tax returns,

The issuance of a Notice of Deficiency, or

Assessing a tax and sending a notice and demand for payment.

Assessment of tax.

Assessment is the statutorily required recording of a tax liability. During a bankruptcy case, the IRS may make an assessment of tax due and issue a notice and demand for payment. This grant of authority is a specific exception to the “automatic stay” rules discussed below.

Accordingly, after the correct amount of tax is determined by the IRS, bankruptcy court, or Tax Court, the IRS may assess the tax due against the bankruptcy estate and issue a notice and demand for payment.

Statute of limitations for collection.

Bankruptcy affects the time the IRS can collect tax. The IRS generally has 10 years to collect tax from the date it was assessed. This is called the Collection Statute Expiration Date (CSED). A bankruptcy case usually prevents the IRS from actively collecting tax while a bankruptcy is pending, and certain assets are under the bankruptcy court’s control. The CSED is usually suspended from the day the bankruptcy is filed (petition date) and ends when the bankruptcy is discharged, dismissed, or closed. The IRS, by law, adds another 6 months to the CSED following the end of the bankruptcy.

Offsets of refunds during the automatic stay.

Generally, the automatic stay prevents the IRS from offsetting the refund against a tax liability; however, the IRS may freeze the refund until the stay is lifted. The IRS can offset a pre-petition income tax refund against a pre-petition income tax liability while the automatic stay is in effect.

Requests for Refund or Credit

If the debtor has already claimed a refund or credit for an overpayment of tax on a properly filed return or claim for refund, the trustee may rely on that claim. However, if the credit or refund was not claimed by the debtor, the trustee may make the request on behalf of the bankruptcy estate by filing the original or amended return or form. The trustee should send the request using the preferred method by fax to 844﻿-﻿250﻿-﻿2035. This fax is only for prompt refund packages. No other items should be faxed to this number. The trustee can also mail the request to the following address.

Internal Revenue Service

Centralized Insolvency Operation

P.O. Box 7346

Philadelphia, PA 19101﻿-﻿7346

The return must be marked “Request for Prompt Refund” and accompanied by a written statement explaining that the request is being submitted pursuant to section 505(a) of the Bankruptcy Code. See Revenue Procedure 2010﻿-﻿27, as modified by Announcement 2011﻿-﻿77.

The appropriate form for the trustee to use in making the claim for refund is as follows.

For income taxes for which an individual debtor filed a Form 1040 or 1040-SR, the trustee should use a Form 1040-X.

For income taxes for which a corporate debtor filed a Form 1120, the trustee should use a Form 1120-X, Amended U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return.

For income taxes for which a debtor filed a form other than Form 1040 or 1040-SR, or Form 1120, the trustee should use the same type of form that the debtor had originally filed, and write “Amended Return” at the top of the form.

For taxes other than certain excise taxes or income taxes for which the debtor filed a return, the trustee should use a Form 843, Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement, and attach an exact copy of any return that is the subject of the claim along with a statement of the name and location of the office where the return was filed.

For excise taxes reported on Form 720, 730, or 2290, the trustee should use Form 8849, Claim for Refund of Excise Taxes, or Form 720-X, Amended Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return, as appropriate.

For overpayment of taxes of the bankruptcy estate incurred during the administration of the case, the trustee may use a properly executed tax return (for income taxes, a Form 1041) as a claim for refund or credit.

Note.  Any post-petition amended returns submitted must also be signed by the trustee or debtor-in-possession that is claiming the credit or refund. Pre-petition amended returns may need to be signed by the debtor.

Once the IRS receives the trustee's claim for refund, it will examine the refund claim on an expedited basis and notify the trustee of its decision within 120 days from the date of the filing of the claim. If the trustee disagrees with the IRS's decision or does not receive a decision from the IRS within 120 days of filing the claim, the trustee may seek a determination from the bankruptcy court to determine the estate's right to the refund.

Excessive and erroneous tax refunds paid to the bankruptcy estate.

Taxpayers who have net losses can sometimes carry back the losses to previous years where taxes were paid to reduce the liability in the prior year, which generate a refund. Such taxpayers may also make a special request for a refund, known as a tentative carryback adjustment (also called a quickie refund). A tax liability arising from an excessive allowance for a quickie refund payable to the bankruptcy estate is given second priority treatment as an administrative expense. However, an erroneous refund or credit other than a quickie refund paid to the bankruptcy estate receives the same priority as the underlying tax. See Federal Tax Claims, later.

Court Jurisdiction Over Tax Matters

Bankruptcy Court

Determination of tax liability.

Generally, the bankruptcy court has the authority to determine the amount or legality of any tax imposed on a debtor under its jurisdiction and the bankruptcy estate, including any fine, penalty, or addition to tax, whether or not the tax was previously assessed or paid.

The bankruptcy court does not have authority:

To determine the amount or legality of a tax, fine, penalty, or addition to tax that was contested before and adjudicated by a court or administrative tribunal of competent jurisdiction before the date of the bankruptcy petition filing; or

To decide the right of a tax refund for the bankruptcy estate before the earlier of:

A determination for refund by the IRS or other governmental unit, or

120 days since the trustee properly requested the refund.

Tax Court

Tax Court proceedings.

The filing of a bankruptcy petition results in an automatic stay immediately stopping the commencement or continuation of certain Tax Court proceedings. In individual bankruptcy cases, the stay prohibits the commencement of a Tax Court case regarding the tax liabilities of the debtor for tax periods ending before the bankruptcy court's order for relief. If the debtor is a corporation, the automatic stay prohibits the commencement or continuation of Tax Court proceedings relating to liabilities for tax periods that the bankruptcy court may determine. Generally, in corporate chapter﻿ ﻿11 cases, the bankruptcy court determines the debtor corporation's tax liabilities for tax periods ending before the date a plan of reorganization is confirmed.

The bankruptcy court has the power to lift the automatic stay and allow the debtor to begin or continue a Tax Court case. Accordingly, during the pendency of the bankruptcy case, in effect, the bankruptcy court has the sole authority to determine whether the tax issue will be decided by the bankruptcy court or Tax Court.

Suspension of time for filing.

In any bankruptcy case, the 90-day period for filing a Tax Court petition after the issuance of the Statutory Notice of Deficiency is suspended for the time the debtor is prevented from filing the petition due to the bankruptcy case, and for an additional 60 days thereafter. Accordingly, if the Statutory Notice of Deficiency was issued before the bankruptcy petition was filed, and the 90-day period had not expired, the running of the 90-day period will be suspended while the stay prevents the commencement of the Tax Court case. The 90-day period will begin to run 60 days after the stay against filing the petition ends. The suspension is effective for any part of the 90-day period remaining on the date of the bankruptcy petition filing.

However, the 90-day period for filing a Tax Court petition after issuance of a Notice of Determination in an innocent spouse case isn't suspended by filing of a bankruptcy petition. Thus, if the IRS issues a final Notice of Determination denying the debtor's request for innocent spouse relief during the bankruptcy case, the debtor is prohibited from petitioning the Tax Court while the automatic stay is in effect; however, the 90-day period for petitioning the Tax Court isn't suspended. In these circumstances, the debtor must file a motion with the bankruptcy court asking the bankruptcy court to lift the automatic stay. If the bankruptcy court lifts the stay, then the taxpayer can petition the Tax Court so long as the 90 days for petitioning hasn't expired.

Trustee may intervene.

The trustee of a bankruptcy estate in any title 11 bankruptcy case may intervene on behalf of the estate in a proceeding in the Tax Court to which the debtor is a party.

Federal Tax Claims

Proof of claim.

Upon filing a bankruptcy petition, as a result of the automatic stay, the debtor's assets in the bankruptcy estate under the jurisdiction of the bankruptcy court aren't subject to levy. However, creditors may file a “proof of claim” with the bankruptcy court to protect their rights. The IRS may file a proof of claim with the bankruptcy court in the same manner as other creditors. This claim may be filed with the bankruptcy court even though taxes haven't been assessed or are subject to a Tax Court proceeding.

Secured tax claims.

If the IRS filed a Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL) before the bankruptcy petition was filed, the IRS will have a secured claim in the bankruptcy case to the extent the lien attached to equity in the debtor's assets. In chapter﻿ ﻿7 cases, in certain circumstances, the trustee may be able to subordinate the tax lien in order to pay certain non-tax priority claims. In chapter﻿ ﻿11 cases, if the secured claim would have otherwise been entitled to treatment as a priority claim, the chapter﻿ ﻿11 plan must provide for the secured tax claim in the same manner, over the same period, as an unsecured eighth priority tax claim.

Unsecured Tax Claims

Eighth priority taxes.

In general, certain unsecured debts are given priority for payment purposes. Certain tax debts arising before the bankruptcy case was filed are classified as eighth priority claims.

The following federal taxes, if unsecured, are eighth priority taxes of the government.

Income taxes on or measured by income or gross receipts for a tax year ending on or before the date of the filing of the petition for which a return, if required, is last due, including extensions, after 3 years before the date of the filing of the bankruptcy petition.

Income taxes on or measured by income or gross receipts assessed within 240 days before the date of the filing of the petition. The 240-day period is exclusive of any time during which an offer in compromise for that tax was pending or in effect during that 240-day period plus 30 days, and exclusive of any time during which a stay of proceedings against collections was in effect in a prior case during the 240-day period plus 90 days.

Income taxes that were not assessed before the bankruptcy petition date, but were assessable as of the petition date, unless these taxes were still assessable solely because no return was filed, a late return was filed within 2 years of the filing of the bankruptcy petition, or a fraudulent return was filed, or because the debtor willfully attempted to evade or defeat the tax.

Withholding taxes that were incurred in any capacity.

Employer's share of employment taxes on wages, salaries, or commissions (including vacation, severance, and sick leave pay) paid as priority claims under title 11 U.S.C. section 507(a)(4), or for which a return was last due within 3 years of the filing of the bankruptcy petition, including a return for which an extension of the filing date was obtained.

Excise taxes on transactions occurring before the date of filing the bankruptcy petition, for which a return, if required, is last due (including extensions) within 3 years of the filing of the bankruptcy petition. If a return isn't required, these excise taxes include only those on transactions occurring during the 3 years immediately before the date of filing the petition.

Payment of Tax Claims

Chapter 7 cases.

In a chapter﻿ ﻿7 case, eighth priority taxes may be paid out of the assets of the bankruptcy estate to the extent assets remain after paying the claims of secured creditors and other creditors with higher priority claims.

Chapter 11, 12, and 13 cases.

Different rules apply to payment of eighth priority pre-petition taxes under chapters 11, 12, and 13.

A chapter﻿ ﻿11 plan can provide for payment of these taxes, with post-confirmation interest, over a period of 5 years from the date of the order for relief issued by the bankruptcy court (this is the bankruptcy petition date in voluntary cases), in a manner not less favorable than the most favored non-priority claims (except for convenience claims under section 1122(b) of the Bankruptcy Code).

In a chapter﻿ ﻿12 case, the debtor can pay such tax claims in deferred cash payments over time. However, pursuant to Bankruptcy Code section 1232, an unsecured priority tax claim arising from the sale of farm assets shall be treated as a non-priority unsecured claim.

In a chapter﻿ ﻿13 case, the debtor can pay such taxes over 3 years or over 5 years with court approval.

Higher priority taxes.

Certain taxes are assigned a higher priority for payment. Taxes incurred by the bankruptcy estate are given second priority treatment as administrative expenses. In an involuntary bankruptcy case, taxes arising in the ordinary course of business or the debtor's financial affairs (after the filing of the bankruptcy petition but before the earlier of the appointment of a trustee or the order for relief) are included in the third priority payment category. If the debtor has employees, the employees' portion of employment taxes on the first $15,150 (this amount adjusted every 3 years) of wages that they earned during the 180-day period before the date of the bankruptcy filing or the cessation of the business (whichever occurs first) is given fourth priority treatment. However, the debtor's portion of the employment taxes on these wages, as the employer, is given eighth priority treatment.

Penalties.

A tax penalty which is punitive in nature, that is, not for actual pecuniary (monetary) loss, is payable as a general unsecured claim.

Relief from certain penalties.

A penalty for failure to pay tax, including failure to pay estimated tax, is not imposed if the tax was incurred by the bankruptcy estate as a result of an order of the court finding probable insufficiency of funds of the bankruptcy estate to pay administrative expenses.

If the tax was incurred by the debtor, the penalty is not imposed if:

The tax was incurred before the earlier of the order for relief or (in an involuntary case) the appointment of a trustee, and

The bankruptcy petition was filed before the due date for the tax return (including extensions) or the date for imposing the penalty occurs on or after the day the bankruptcy petition was filed.

Note. Relief from the failure-to-pay penalty does not apply to any penalty for failure to pay or deposit tax withheld or collected from others which is required to be paid over to the U.S. Government. Nor does it apply to any penalty for failure to file a timely return.

FUTA credit.

Employers are generally allowed a credit against FUTA for contributions made to a state unemployment fund if the contributions are paid by the last day for filing a federal unemployment tax return for the tax year.

If contributions are paid to the state fund after such date, the allowable credit shall not exceed 90% of the otherwise allowable credit that may be taken against FUTA. However, in the case of wages paid by the trustee of a title 11 bankruptcy estate where the failure to timely pay state unemployment contributions was without fault by the trustee, 100% of the credit is allowed. An employer may also receive an additional credit against FUTA contributions. See Pub. 15 for additional information.

Discharge of Unpaid Tax

The bankruptcy court may enter an order discharging the debtor from personal liability for certain debts, including taxes. The order for discharge is a permanent order of the court prohibiting the creditors from taking action against the debtor personally to collect the debt. However, secured creditors with valid pre-bankruptcy liens may enforce them to recover property secured by the lien.

Not all debts are dischargeable. Many tax debts are excepted from the bankruptcy discharge. The scope of the bankruptcy discharge depends on the chapter under which the case was filed and the nature of the debt. Chapter 7 debtors don't have an absolute right to a discharge; objections may be filed by creditors. Chapters 12 and 13 debtors are generally entitled to discharge upon completion of all payments under the bankruptcy plan.

Chapter 7 cases.

For individuals in chapter﻿ ﻿7 cases, the following tax debts (including interest) aren't subject to discharge.

Taxes entitled to eighth priority.

Taxes for which no return was filed.

Taxes for which a return was filed late after 2 years before the bankruptcy petition was filed.

Taxes for which a fraudulent return was filed.

Taxes that the debtor willfully attempted to evade or defeat.

Penalties in a chapter﻿ ﻿7 case are dischargeable unless the event that gave rise to the penalty occurred within 3 years of the bankruptcy and the penalty relates to a tax that isn't discharged. Only individuals may receive a discharge in chapter﻿ ﻿7 cases; corporations and other entities don't.

Chapter 11 cases.

The same exceptions to discharge that apply to individuals in chapter﻿ ﻿7 cases also apply to individuals in chapter﻿ ﻿11 cases. However, different rules apply to corporations. A corporation in a chapter﻿ ﻿11 case may receive a broad discharge when the reorganization plan is confirmed; however, secured and priority claims must be satisfied under the plan. There is an exception to discharge for taxes for which the debtor filed a fraudulent return or willfully attempted to evade or defeat the taxes.

Chapter 13 cases.

A debtor who completes all payments under the chapter﻿ ﻿13 plan shall receive a broad discharge of all debts provided for by the plan. However, priority tax claims must be paid in full under the chapter﻿ ﻿13 plan. The following taxes are excepted from the broad chapter﻿ ﻿13 discharge.

Withholding taxes for which the debtor is liable in any capacity.

Taxes for which no return was filed.

Taxes for which a return was filed late after 2 years before the bankruptcy petition was filed.

Taxes for which a fraudulent return was filed.

Taxes that the debtor willfully attempted to evade or defeat.

Also, there is an exception from discharge for debts where the creditor, including the IRS, did not receive notice of the chapter﻿ ﻿13 bankruptcy case in time to file a claim.

Chapter 13 “hardship discharge.”

In cases where the failure to complete all payments under the chapter﻿ ﻿13 plan was due to circumstances for which the debtor should not be held accountable, the bankruptcy court may grant a “hardship discharge.” However, all unsecured claims must be paid an amount not less than they would have received in a chapter﻿ ﻿7 liquidation. Debts that would be excepted under an individual chapter﻿ ﻿7 discharge are also excepted from the chapter﻿ ﻿13 hardship discharge.

Chapter 12 cases.

The same tax debts that are excepted from discharge in chapter﻿ ﻿7 cases of individuals are excepted from discharge in chapter﻿ ﻿12 cases of individuals. The exceptions don't apply to chapter﻿ ﻿12 cases of non-individuals. As in chapter﻿ ﻿13 cases, the debtor may be granted a hardship discharge if appropriate.

Federal Tax Liens.

If a tax is discharged, the discharged tax may still be collectable from the debtor's pre-bankruptcy property if the IRS filed an NFTL before the bankruptcy petition was filed. Perfected liens generally pass through bankruptcy proceedings unaffected, even if the debtor's personal liability for the debt is discharged. If the IRS did not file an NFTL before the bankruptcy petition was filed, the tax lien will be removed from the debtor's pre-bankruptcy property if the debtor exempted the property out of the bankruptcy estate. However, a tax lien that arises when a tax is assessed may not be removed from the property upon discharge if the property was excluded or abandoned from the bankruptcy estate, even if an NFTL was not filed.

Debt Cancellation

If a debt is canceled or forgiven, other than as a gift or bequest, the debtor must generally include the canceled amount in gross income for tax purposes. A debt includes any indebtedness for which the debtor is liable or that attaches to property the debtor holds. In the event that the amount forgiven is $600 or more, the debtor should receive a Form 1099-C, Cancellation of Debt, from the lender. See Form 1099-C and its separate instructions. The debtor may not have to report the entire amount of canceled debt as income, as certain exclusions may apply.

Exclusions

Don't include a canceled debt in gross income if:

The cancellation takes place in a bankruptcy case under the Bankruptcy Code;

The cancellation takes place when the debtor is insolvent, and the amount excluded isn't more than the amount by which the debtor is insolvent;

The canceled debt is qualified farm debt (debt incurred in operating a farm)—see Cancellation of Debt in chapter﻿ ﻿3 of Pub. 225;

The canceled debt is qualified real property business indebtedness (certain debt connected with business real property)—see Pub. 525; or

The canceled debt is qualified principal residence indebtedness. See Pub. 936, Home Mortgage Interest Deduction.

Order of exclusions.

If the cancellation of debt occurs in a title 11 bankruptcy case, the bankruptcy exclusion takes precedence over the insolvency exclusion. To the extent that the taxpayer is insolvent, the insolvency exclusion takes precedence over qualified farm debt or qualified real property business indebtedness exclusions.

Bankruptcy case exclusion.

A bankruptcy case is a case under title 11 of the United States Code, but only if the debtor is under the jurisdiction of the court and the cancellation of the debt is granted by the court or occurs as a result of a plan approved by the court.

None of the debt canceled in a bankruptcy case is included in the debtor's gross income in the year it was canceled. Instead, certain losses, credits, and basis of property must be reduced by the amount of excluded income (but not below zero). These losses, credits, and basis in property are called tax attributes and are discussed under Reduction of Tax Attributes, later.

Insolvency exclusion.

A debtor is insolvent when, and to the extent, the debtor's liabilities exceed the FMV of the assets. Determine the debtor's liabilities and the FMV of the assets immediately before the cancellation of the debtor's debt to determine whether or not the debtor is insolvent and the amount by which the debtor is insolvent.

Exclude from the debtor's gross income debt canceled when the debtor is insolvent, but only up to the amount by which the debtor is insolvent. However, you must use the amount excluded to reduce certain tax attributes, as explained later under Reduction of Tax Attributes.

Example. $4,000 of the Simpson Corporation's liabilities are canceled outside bankruptcy. Immediately before the cancellation, the Simpson Corporation's liabilities totaled $21,000 and the FMV of its assets was $17,500. Because its liabilities were more than its assets, it was insolvent. The amount of the insolvency was $3,500 ($21,000 − $17,500). The corporation may exclude only $3,500 of the $4,000 debt cancellation from income because that is the amount by which it was insolvent. It must also reduce certain tax attributes by the $3,500 of excluded income. The remaining $500 of canceled debt must be included in income.

Reduction of Tax Attributes

If a debtor excludes canceled debt from income because it is canceled in a bankruptcy case or during insolvency, they must use the excluded amount to reduce certain “tax attributes.” Tax attributes include the basis of certain assets and the losses and credits listed later. By reducing the tax attributes, the tax on the canceled debt is partially postponed instead of being entirely forgiven. This prevents an excessive tax benefit from the debt cancellation.

If a separate bankruptcy estate was created, the trustee or debtor-in-possession must reduce the estate's attributes (but not below zero) by the canceled debt. See Attribute carryovers under Bankruptcy Estate—Income, Deductions, and Credits, earlier.

Order of reduction.

Generally, use the amount of canceled debt to reduce the tax attributes in the order listed below. However, the debtor may choose to use all or a part of the amount of canceled debt to first reduce the basis of depreciable property before reducing the other tax attributes. This choice is discussed later.

Net operating loss (NOL).

Reduce any NOL for the tax year in which the debt cancellation takes place, and any NOL carryover to that tax year.

General business credit carryovers.

Reduce any carryovers, to or from the tax year of the debt cancellation, of amounts used to determine the general business credit.

Minimum tax credit.

Reduce any minimum tax credit that is available as of the beginning of the tax year following the tax year of the debt cancellation.

Capital losses.

Reduce any net capital loss for the tax year of the debt cancellation, and any capital loss carryover to that year.

Basis.

Reduce the basis of the debtor's property, as described under Basis Reduction, later. This reduction applies to the basis of both depreciable and nondepreciable property.

Passive activity loss and credit carryovers.

Reduce any passive activity loss or credit carryover from the tax year of the debt cancellation.

Foreign tax credit.

Last, reduce any carryover, to or from the tax year of the debt cancellation, of an amount used to determine the foreign tax credit or the Puerto Rico and territory tax credit.

Amount of reduction.

Except for the credit carryovers, reduce the tax attributes listed earlier one dollar for each dollar of canceled debt that is excluded from income. Reduce the credit carryovers by 33﻿ ﻿1﻿/﻿3 cents for each dollar of canceled debt that is excluded from income.

Making the reduction.

Make the required reductions in tax attributes after figuring the tax for the tax year of the debt cancellation. In reducing NOLs and capital losses, first reduce the loss for the tax year of the debt cancellation, and then any loss carryovers to that year in the order of the tax years from which the carryovers arose, starting with the earliest year. Make the reductions of credit carryovers in the order in which the carryovers are taken into account for the tax year of the debt cancellation.

Individuals under chapter﻿ ﻿7 or 11.

In an individual bankruptcy under chapter﻿ ﻿7 or 11 of title 11, the required reduction of tax attributes must be made to the attributes of the bankruptcy estate, a separate taxable entity resulting from the filing of the case. The trustee of the bankruptcy estate must make the choice of whether to reduce the basis of depreciable property first before reducing other tax attributes.

Basis Reduction

If any amount of the debt cancellation is used to reduce the basis of assets, as discussed earlier under Reduction of Tax Attributes, the following rules apply to the extent indicated.

When to make the basis reduction.

Reductions in basis due to debt cancellation are made at the beginning of the tax year following the cancellation. The reduction applies to property held at that time. See Regulations section 1.1017﻿-﻿1 for more information.

Bankruptcy and insolvency reduction limit.

The reduction in basis for canceled debt in bankruptcy or in insolvency cannot be more than the total basis of property held immediately after the debt cancellation, minus the total liabilities immediately after the cancellation. This limit does not apply if an election is made to reduce basis before reducing other attributes. This election is discussed later.

Exempt property under title 11.

If debt is canceled in a bankruptcy case under title 11 of the United States Code, don't reduce the basis in property that the debtor treats as exempt property under section 522 of title 11.

Election to reduce basis in depreciable property first.

The estate, in the case of an individual bankruptcy under chapter﻿ ﻿7 or 11, may choose to reduce the basis of depreciable property before reducing any other tax attributes. However, this reduction of the basis of depreciable property cannot be more than the total basis of depreciable property held at the beginning of the tax year following the tax year of the debt cancellation.

Depreciable property means any property subject to depreciation, but only if a reduction of basis will reduce the amount of depreciation or amortization otherwise allowable for the period immediately following the basis reduction. The debtor may choose to treat as depreciable property any real property that is stock in trade or is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of trade or business. The debtor must generally make this choice on the tax return for the tax year of the debt cancellation, and, once made, the debtor can only revoke it with IRS approval. However, if the debtor establishes reasonable cause, the debtor may make the choice with an amended return or claim for refund or credit.

Making elections.

Make the election to reduce the basis of depreciable property before reducing other tax attributes, as well as the election to treat real property inventory as depreciable property, on Form 982.

Recapture of basis reductions.

If any basis in property is reduced under these provisions and is later sold or otherwise disposed of at a gain, the part of the gain corresponding to the basis reduction is taxable as ordinary income. Figure the ordinary income part by treating the amount of the basis reduction as a depreciation deduction and by treating any such basis-reduced property that isn't already either Internal Revenue Code section 1245 or 1250 property as Internal Revenue Code section 1245 property. In the case of Internal Revenue Code section 1250 property, make the determination of what would have been straight line depreciation as though there had been no basis reduction for debt cancellation. Internal Revenue Code sections 1245 and 1250 and the recapture of gain as ordinary income are explained in Pub. 544.

Partnerships

If a partnership's debt is canceled because of bankruptcy or insolvency, the rules for the exclusion of the canceled amount from gross income and for tax attribute reduction are applied at the individual partner level. Thus, each partner's share of debt cancellation income must be reported on the partner's return unless the partner meets the bankruptcy or insolvency exclusions explained earlier. Then all choices, such as the choices to reduce the basis of depreciable property before reducing other tax attributes, to treat real property inventory as depreciable property, and to end the tax year on the day before filing the bankruptcy case, must be made by the individual partners, not the partnership.

Depreciable property.

For purposes of reducing the basis of depreciable property in attribute reduction, a partner treats their partnership interest as depreciable property to the extent of the partner's proportionate interest in the partnership's depreciable property. This applies only if the partnership makes a corresponding reduction in the partnership's basis in its depreciable property with respect to the partner.

Partner's basis in partnership.

The allocation of an amount of debt cancellation income to a partner results in that partner's basis in the partnership being increased by that amount. At the same time, the reduction in the partner's share of partnership liabilities caused by the debt cancellation results in a deemed distribution, in turn resulting in a reduction of the partner's basis in the partnership. These basis adjustments are separate from any basis reduction under the attribute-reduction rules described earlier.

Corporations

Corporations in a bankruptcy proceeding or insolvency generally follow the same rules for debt cancellation and reduction of tax attributes as an individual or individual bankruptcy estate would follow.

Stock for Debt Exchange

If a corporation transfers its stock (or if a partnership transfers an interest in the partnership) in satisfaction of indebtedness and the FMV of the stock or interest is less than the indebtedness owed, the corporation or partnership has income to the extent of the difference from the cancellation of indebtedness. The corporation or partnership can exclude all or a portion of the income created by the stock or interest debt transfer if it is in a bankruptcy proceeding or, if not in a bankruptcy proceeding, it can exclude the income to the extent it is insolvent. However, the corporation or partnership must reduce its tax attributes to the extent it has any by the amount of the excluded income.

Earnings and Profits

The earnings and profits of a corporation don't include income from the discharge of indebtedness to the extent of the amount applied to reduce the basis of the corporation's property, as explained earlier. Otherwise, discharge of indebtedness income, including amounts excluded from gross income, increases the earnings and profits of the corporation (or reduces a deficit in earnings and profits).

If there is a deficit in the corporation's earnings and profits and the interest of any shareholder of the corporation is terminated or extinguished in a title 11 or similar case (defined earlier), the deficit must be reduced by an amount equal to the paid-in capital allocable to the shareholder's terminated or extinguished interest.

S Corporations

For S corporations, the rules for excluding income from debt cancellation because of bankruptcy or insolvency apply at the corporate level.

Net operating losses (NOLs).

A loss or deduction that is disallowed for the tax year of the debt cancellation because it exceeds the shareholders' basis in the corporation's stock and debt is treated as an NOL for that tax year in making the required reduction of tax attributes for the amount of the canceled debt.

Example—Tax Attribute Reduction

Charlie Jones is in financial difficulty, but Charlie has been able to avoid declaring bankruptcy. In 2024, Charlie reached an agreement with creditors whereby they agreed to forgive $10,000 of the total Charlie owed to them in return for Charlie setting up a schedule for repayment of the rest of the debts.

Immediately before the debt cancellation, Charlie’s liabilities totaled $120,000 and the FMV of Charlie’s assets was $100,000 (Charlie’s total basis in all these assets was $90,000). At the time of the debt cancellation, Charlie was considered insolvent by $20,000. Charlie can exclude from income the entire $10,000 debt cancellation because it was not more than the amount by which Charlie was insolvent.

Among Charlie’s assets, the only depreciable asset is a rental condominium with an adjusted basis of $50,000. Of this, $10,000 is allocable to the land, leaving a depreciable basis of $40,000. Charlie has a long-term capital loss carryover to 2024 of $5,000. Charlie also has an NOL of $2,000 and a $3,000 NOL carryover from 2021. Charlie has no other tax attributes arising from the current tax year or carried to this year.

Ordinarily, in applying the $10,000 debt cancellation amount to reduce tax attributes, Charlie would first reduce the $2,000 NOL; next, the $3,000 NOL carryover from 2021; and then the $5,000 net capital loss carryover. However, Charlie figures that it is better to preserve the loss carryovers for the next tax year.

Charlie elects to reduce basis first. Charlie can reduce the depreciable basis of the rental condominium (Charlie’s only depreciable asset) by $10,000. The tax effect of doing this will be to reduce depreciation deductions for years following the year of the debt cancellation. However, if Charlie later sells the condominium at a gain, the part of the gain from the basis reduction will be taxable as ordinary income.

Charlie must file Form 982 with the individual return (Form 1040 or 1040-SR) for the tax year of the debt discharge to reduce the depreciable basis of the property by $10,000. In addition, Charlie must attach a statement describing the debt cancellation transaction and identifying the property to which the basis reduction applies.

How To Get Tax Help

If you have questions about a tax issue; need help preparing your tax return; or want to download free publications, forms, or instructions, go to IRS.gov to find resources that can help you right away.

Preparing and filing your tax return.

After receiving all your wage and earnings statements (Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-MISC, 1099-NEC, etc.); unemployment compensation statements (by mail or in a digital format) or other government payment statements (Form 1099-G); and interest, dividend, and retirement statements from banks and investment firms (Forms 1099), you have several options to choose from to prepare and file your tax return. You can prepare the tax return yourself, see if you qualify for free tax preparation, or hire a tax professional to prepare your return.

Free options for tax preparation.

Your options for preparing and filing your return online or in your local community, if you qualify, include the following.

Direct File. Direct File is a permanent option to file individual federal tax returns online—for free—directly and securely with the IRS. Direct File is an option for taxpayers in participating states who have relatively simple tax returns reporting certain types of income and claiming certain credits and deductions. While Direct File doesn't prepare state returns, if you live in a participating state, Direct File guides you to a state-supported tool you can use to prepare and file your state tax return for free. Go to IRS.gov/DirectFile for more information, program updates, and frequently asked questions.

Free File. This program lets you prepare and file your federal individual income tax return for free using software or Free File Fillable Forms. However, state tax preparation may not be available through Free File. Go to IRS.gov/FreeFile to see if you qualify for free online federal tax preparation, e-filing, and direct deposit or payment options.

VITA. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people with low-to-moderate incomes, persons with disabilities, and limited-English-speaking taxpayers who need help preparing their own tax returns. Go to IRS.gov/VITA, download the free IRS2Go app, or call 800﻿-﻿906﻿-﻿9887 for information on free tax return preparation.

TCE. The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program offers free tax help for all taxpayers, particularly those who are 60 years of age and older. TCE volunteers specialize in answering questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. Go to IRS.gov/TCE or download the free IRS2Go app for information on free tax return preparation.

MilTax. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces and qualified veterans may use MilTax, a free tax service offered by the Department of Defense through Military OneSource. For more information, go to MilitaryOneSource (MilitaryOneSource.mil/MilTax).Also, the IRS offers Free Fillable Forms, which can be completed online and then filed electronically regardless of income.

Using online tools to help prepare your return.

Go to IRS.gov/Tools for the following.

IRS.gov/DirectFile offers an Eligibility Checker to help you determine if Direct File is the right choice for your tax filing needs.

The Earned Income Tax Credit Assistant (IRS.gov/EITCAssistant) determines if you’re eligible for the earned income credit (EIC).

The Online EIN Application (IRS.gov/EIN) helps you get an employer identification number (EIN) at no cost.

The Tax Withholding Estimator (IRS.gov/W4App) makes it easier for you to estimate the federal income tax you want your employer to withhold from your paycheck. This is tax withholding. See how your withholding affects your refund, take-home pay, or tax due.

The First-Time Homebuyer Credit Account Look-up (IRS.gov/HomeBuyer) tool provides information on your repayments and account balance.

The Sales Tax Deduction Calculator (IRS.gov/SalesTax) figures the amount you can claim if you itemize deductions on Schedule﻿ ﻿A (Form 1040).

Getting answers to your tax questions. On IRS.gov, you can get up-to-date information on current events and changes in tax law.

IRS.gov/Help: A variety of tools to help you get answers to some of the most common tax questions.

IRS.gov/ITA: The Interactive Tax Assistant, a tool that will ask you questions and, based on your input, provide answers on a number of tax law topics.

IRS.gov/Forms: Find forms, instructions, and publications. You will find details on the most recent tax changes and interactive links to help you find answers to your questions.

You may also be able to access tax law information in your e-filing software.

Need someone to prepare your tax return?

There are various types of tax return preparers, including enrolled agents, certified public accountants (CPAs), accountants, and many others who don’t have professional credentials. If you choose to have someone prepare your tax return, choose that preparer wisely. A paid tax preparer is:

Primarily responsible for the overall substantive accuracy of your return,

Required to sign the return, and

Required to include their preparer tax identification number (PTIN).

Although the tax preparer always signs the return, you're ultimately responsible for providing all the information required for the preparer to accurately prepare your return and for the accuracy of every item reported on the return. Anyone paid to prepare tax returns for others should have a thorough understanding of tax matters. For more information on how to choose a tax preparer, go to Tips for Choosing a Tax Preparer on IRS.gov.

Employers can register to use Business Services Online.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers online service at SSA.gov/employer for fast, free, and secure W-2 filing options to CPAs, accountants, enrolled agents, and individuals who process Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, and Form W-2c, Corrected Wage and Tax Statement.

Business tax account.

If you are a sole proprietor, a partnership, or an S corporation, you can view your tax information on record with the IRS and do more with a business tax account. Go to IRS.gov/businessaccount for more information.

IRS social media.

Go to IRS.gov/SocialMedia to see the various social media tools the IRS uses to share the latest information on tax changes, scam alerts, initiatives, products, and services. At the IRS, privacy and security are our highest priority. We use these tools to share public information with you. Don’t post your social security number (SSN) or other confidential information on social media sites. Always protect your identity when using any social networking site.

The following IRS YouTube channels provide short, informative videos on various tax-related topics in English, Spanish, and ASL.

Youtube.com/irsvideos.

Youtube.com/irsvideosmultilingua.

Youtube.com/irsvideosASL.

Online tax information in other languages.

You can find information on IRS.gov/MyLanguage if English isn’t your native language.

Free Over-the-Phone Interpreter (OPI) Service.

The IRS is committed to serving taxpayers with limited-English proficiency (LEP) by offering OPI services. The OPI Service is a federally funded program and is available at Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs), most IRS offices, and every VITA/TCE return site. The OPI Service is accessible in more than 350 languages.

Accessibility Helpline available for taxpayers with disabilities.

Taxpayers who need information about accessibility services can call 833﻿-﻿690﻿-﻿0598. The Accessibility Helpline can answer questions related to current and future accessibility products and services available in alternative media formats (for example, braille, large print, audio, etc.). The Accessibility Helpline does not have access to your IRS account. For help with tax law, refunds, or account-related issues, go to IRS.gov/LetUsHelp.

Alternative media preference.

Form 9000, Alternative Media Preference, or Form 9000(SP) allows you to elect to receive certain types of written correspondence in the following formats.

Standard Print.

Large Print.

Braille.

Audio (MP3).

Plain Text File (TXT).

Braille Ready File (BRF).

Disasters.

Go to IRS.gov/DisasterRelief to review the available disaster tax relief.

Getting tax forms and publications.

Go to IRS.gov/Forms to view, download, or print all of the forms, instructions, and publications you may need. Or, you can go to IRS.gov/OrderForms to place an order.

Mobile-friendly forms.

You'll need an IRS Online Account (OLA) to complete mobile-friendly forms that require signatures. You'll have the option to submit your form(s) online or download a copy for mailing. You'll need scans of your documents to support your submission. Go to IRS.gov/MobileFriendlyForms for more information.

Getting tax publications and instructions in eBook format.

Download and view most tax publications and instructions (including the Instructions for Form 1040) on mobile devices as an eBook at IRS.gov/eBooks.

 IRS eBooks have been tested using Apple’s iBooks for iPad. Our eBooks haven’t been tested on other dedicated eBook readers, and eBook functionality may not operate as intended.

Access your online account (individual taxpayers only).

Go to IRS.gov/Account to securely access information about your federal tax account.

View the amount you owe and a breakdown by tax year.

See payment plan details or apply for a new payment plan.

Make a payment or view 5 years of payment history and any pending or scheduled payments.

Access your tax records, including key data from your most recent tax return, and transcripts.

View digital copies of select notices from the IRS.

Approve or reject authorization requests from tax professionals.

View your address on file or manage your communication preferences.

Get a transcript of your return.

With an online account, you can access a variety of information to help you during the filing season. You can get a transcript, review your most recently filed tax return, and get your adjusted gross income. Create or access your online account at IRS.gov/Account.

Tax Pro Account.

This tool lets your tax professional submit an authorization request to access your individual taxpayer IRS OLA. For more information, go to IRS.gov/TaxProAccount.

Using direct deposit.

The safest and easiest way to receive a tax refund is to e-file and choose direct deposit, which securely and electronically transfers your refund directly into your financial account. Direct deposit also avoids the possibility that your check could be lost, stolen, destroyed, or returned undeliverable to the IRS. Eight in 10 taxpayers use direct deposit to receive their refunds. If you don’t have a bank account, go to IRS.gov/DirectDeposit for more information on where to find a bank or credit union that can open an account online.

Reporting and resolving your tax-related identity theft issues.

Tax-related identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information to commit tax fraud. Your taxes can be affected if your SSN is used to file a fraudulent return or to claim a refund or credit.

The IRS doesn’t initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages (including shortened links), telephone calls, or social media channels to request or verify personal or financial information. This includes requests for personal identification numbers (PINs), passwords, or similar information for credit cards, banks, or other financial accounts.

Go to IRS.gov/IdentityTheft, the IRS Identity Theft Central webpage, for information on identity theft and data security protection for taxpayers, tax professionals, and businesses. If your SSN has been lost or stolen or you suspect you’re a victim of tax-related identity theft, you can learn what steps you should take.

Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN). IP PINs are six-digit numbers assigned to taxpayers to help prevent the misuse of their SSNs on fraudulent federal income tax returns. When you have an IP PIN, it prevents someone else from filing a tax return with your SSN. To learn more, go to IRS.gov/IPPIN.

Ways to check on the status of your refund.

Go to IRS.gov/Refunds.

Download the official IRS2Go app to your mobile device to check your refund status.

Call the automated refund hotline at 800﻿-﻿829﻿-﻿1954.

CautionThe IRS can’t issue refunds before mid-February for returns that claimed the EIC or the additional child tax credit (ACTC). This applies to the entire refund, not just the portion associated with these credits.

Making a tax payment.

Payments of U.S. tax must be remitted to the IRS in U.S. dollars. Digital assets are not accepted. Go to IRS.gov/Payments for information on how to make a payment using any of the following options.

IRS Direct Pay: Pay your individual tax bill or estimated tax payment directly from your checking or savings account at no cost to you.

Debit Card, Credit Card, or Digital Wallet: Choose an approved payment processor to pay online or by phone.

Electronic Funds Withdrawal: Schedule a payment when filing your federal taxes using tax return preparation software or through a tax professional.

Electronic Federal Tax Payment System: This is the best option for businesses. Enrollment is required.

Check or Money Order: Mail your payment to the address listed on the notice or instructions.

Cash: You may be able to pay your taxes with cash at a participating retail store.

Same-Day Wire: You may be able to do same-day wire from your financial institution. Contact your financial institution for availability, cost, and time frames.

Note. The IRS uses the latest encryption technology to ensure that the electronic payments you make online, by phone, or from a mobile device using the IRS2GO app are safe and secure. Paying electronically is quick, easy, and faster than mailing in a check or money order.

What if I can’t pay now?

Go to IRS.gov/Payments for more information about your options.

Apply for an online payment agreement (IRS.gov/OPA) to meet your tax obligation in monthly installments if you can’t pay your taxes in full today. Once you complete the online process, you will receive immediate notification of whether your agreement has been approved.

Use the Offer in Compromise Pre-Qualifier to see if you can settle your tax debt for less than the full amount you owe. For more information on the Offer in Compromise program, go to IRS.gov/OIC.

Filing an amended return.

Go to IRS.gov/Form1040X for information and updates.

Checking the status of your amended return.

Go to IRS.gov/WMAR to track the status of Form 1040-X amended returns.

CautionIt can take up to 3 weeks from the date you filed your amended return for it to show up in our system, and processing it can take up to 16 weeks.

Understanding an IRS notice or letter you’ve received.

Go to IRS.gov/Notices to find additional information about responding to an IRS notice or letter.

IRS Document Upload Tool.

You may be able to use the Document Upload Tool to respond digitally to eligible IRS notices and letters by securely uploading required documents online through IRS.gov. For more information, go to IRS.gov/DUT.

Schedule﻿ ﻿LEP.

You can use Schedule﻿ ﻿LEP (Form 1040), Request for Change in Language Preference, to state a preference to receive notices, letters, or other written communications from the IRS in an alternative language. You may not immediately receive written communications in the requested language. The IRS's commitment to LEP taxpayers is part of a multi-year timeline that began providing translations in 2023. You will continue to receive communications, including notices and letters, in English until they are translated to your preferred language.

Contacting your local TAC.

Keep in mind, many questions can be answered on IRS.gov without visiting a TAC. Go to IRS.gov/LetUsHelp for the topics people ask about most. If you still need help, TACs provide tax help when a tax issue can’t be handled online or by phone. All TACs now provide service by appointment, so you’ll know in advance that you can get the service you need without long wait times. Before you visit, go to IRS.gov/TACLocator to find the nearest TAC and to check hours, available services, and appointment options. Or, on the IRS2Go app, under the Stay Connected tab, choose the Contact Us option and click on “Local Offices.”

___________________________________________

Below is a message to you from the Taxpayer Advocate Service, an independent organization established by Congress.

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) Is Here To Help You

What Is the Taxpayer Advocate Service?

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). TAS helps taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS, makes administrative and legislative recommendations to prevent or correct the problems, and protects taxpayer rights. We work to ensure that every taxpayer is treated fairly and that you know and understand your rights under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. We are Your Voice at the IRS.

How Can TAS Help Me?

TAS can help you resolve problems that you haven't been able to resolve with the IRS on your own. Always try to resolve your problem with the IRS first, but if you can't, then come to TAS. Our services are free.

TAS helps all taxpayers (and their representatives), including individuals, businesses, and exempt organizations. You may be eligible for TAS help if your IRS problem is causing financial difficulty, if you've tried and been unable to resolve your issue with the IRS, or if you believe an IRS system, process, or procedure just isn't working as it should.

To get help any time with general tax topics, visit www.TaxpayerAdvocate.IRS.gov. The site can help you with common tax issues and situations, such as what to do if you make a mistake on your return or if you get a notice from the IRS.

TAS works to resolve large-scale (systemic) problems that affect many taxpayers. You can report systemic issues at www.IRS.gov/SAMS. (Be sure not to include any personal identifiable information.)

How Do I Contact TAS?

TAS has offices in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. To find your local advocate’s number:

Go to www.TaxpayerAdvocate.IRS.gov/Contact-Us,

Check your local directory, or

Call TAS toll free at 877﻿-﻿777﻿-﻿4778.

What Are My Rights as a Taxpayer?

The Taxpayer Bill of Rights describes ten basic rights that all taxpayers have when dealing with the IRS. Go to www.TaxpayerAdvocate.IRS.gov/Taxpayer-Rights for more information about the rights, what they mean to you, and how they apply to specific situations you may encounter with the IRS. TAS strives to protect taxpayer rights and ensure the IRS is administering the tax law in a fair and equitable way.

Index

A | B | C | D | E | I | J | O | P | R | S | T

A

Assessment of tax Assessment of tax.

Assistance (See Tax help)

B

Bankruptcy Code tax compliance Bankruptcy Code Tax﻿…

Returns due after filing Tax Returns Due After﻿…

Returns due before chapter 13 filing Tax Returns Due for﻿…

Bankruptcy estate Taxes and the Bankruptcy﻿…

Attribute carryovers Carrybacks from the﻿…

Carrybacks Carrybacks from the﻿…

Disclosure of return information Disclosure of bankruptcy﻿…

Employer identification number Employer identification﻿…

Estimated tax Estimated tax—Form 1041-ES

Return filing requirements Bankruptcy Estate Tax﻿…

Separate taxable entity Separate taxable entity

Transfer of assets Transfer of assets between﻿…

C

Conversion or dismissal chapter 11 case Conversion or dismissal﻿…

Corporations Corporations

Filing requirements Corporations

Tax-free reorganizations Tax-Free Reorganizations

D

Debt cancellation Debt Cancellation

Bankruptcy exclusion Bankruptcy case exclusion

Corporations Corporations

Insolvency exclusion Insolvency exclusion

Partnerships Partnerships

S corporations S Corporations

Deductions and credits Bankruptcy Estate Deductions﻿…

Administrative expenses Administrative expenses

Discharge of tax Discharge of Unpaid﻿…

Disclosure of return information Disclosure of debtor's﻿…, Disclosure of return﻿…

Dismissal of case:

Amended return Dismissal of bankruptcy﻿…

E

Election to end tax year: Form 1040 or 1040-SR Debtor's Election To﻿…

Annualizing taxable income Annualizing taxable﻿…

Election by spouse Election by debtor's﻿…

Filing requirements Making the Election—Filing﻿…

Short tax years Short tax years.

Employment taxes Employment taxes., Employment Taxes

Examination of return Examination of return

I

Individuals in Chapter 12 or 13 Individuals in Chapter﻿…

Individuals in Chapter 7 or 11 Individuals in Chapter﻿…

Gross income chapter 11 case Income of the estate﻿…

Gross income chapter 7 case Income of the estate﻿…

J

Jurisdiction over tax matters Court Jurisdiction Over﻿…

Bankruptcy Court Bankruptcy Court

Tax Court Tax Court

O

Offsets of refunds during the automatic stay. Offsets of refunds during﻿…

Ordering tax return transcripts Ordering tax transcripts﻿…

P

Partnerships, filing requirements Partnerships

Payment of tax claim Federal Tax Claims

Eighth priority taxes Unsecured Tax Claims

Second, third, fourth priority taxes Higher priority taxes

Secured tax claims Secured tax claims.

Penalties Penalties.

Relief from penalties Relief from certain﻿…

Publications (See Tax help)

R

Request for prompt tax determination Prompt Determination﻿…

Request for refund Requests for Refund﻿…

S

Statute of limitations collections Statute of limitations﻿…

T

Tax attributes Reduction of Tax Attributes

Basis reduction Basis., Basis Reduction

Carryovers Attribute carryovers

Order of reduction Order of reduction.

Reduction of Reduction of Tax Attributes

Tax help How To Get Tax Help

Tax reporting chapter 11 cases Tax Reporting—Chapter﻿…

Employment tax returns Tax Reporting—Chapter﻿…

Information returns Employment taxes and﻿…

Self-employment taxes Self-employment taxes﻿…

Wage reporting, tax withholding Employment taxes and﻿…

Tax return: Form 1041 Figuring tax due.

Payment of tax due Payment of Tax Due

When to file When to file.