EMPLOYMENT TAX

T.D. 9239, page 401. REG–148568–04, page 417. Final, temporary, and proposed regulations under section 6011 of the Code relate to the time for employers to file returns and make deposits under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) and returns of income tax withheld. The regulations require employers who receive notification of qualification for the Employers’ Annual Federal Tax Program (Form 944) to file Form 944, Employer’s Annual Federal Tax Return, annually instead of Form 941, Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return, quarterly beginning in the 2006 taxable year. The regulations also permit most employers who file Form 944 to remit accumulated employment taxes annually with their return and modify the lookback period and de minimis deposit rule for these employers. The proposed regulations also provide an additional method for quarterly return filers to determine whether the amount of accumulated employment taxes is considered de minimis . A public hearing on the proposed regulations is scheduled for April 26, 2006.