Which IRS forms you need, and when

1. Hiring someone

1. 1Form W-4 — the employee tells you how much federal tax to withhold. Collect it before the first payday, keep it in your files.
2. 2Form I-9 — proves the person can legally work in the US. Keep it for three years after hiring.
3. 3Form W-9 — for contractors instead of a W-4. It gives you their tax ID for the 1099 in January.

2. Every quarter

1. 1Form 941 — reports wages, income tax withheld, and Social Security and Medicare. Due April 30, July 31, October 31 and January 31.
2. 2The Payroll page's IRS forms tab prints your figures already arranged in 941 line order.

3. Every January

1. 1Form W-2 for each employee, plus Form W-3 to summarise them — due to workers and to the Social Security Administration by January 31.
2. 2Form 1099-NEC for each contractor you paid $600 or more — also due January 31.
3. 3Form 940 — federal unemployment tax for the whole year. Due January 31.

Open the Payroll page and click IRS forms to download any of these blank from irs.gov, with your own numbers shown beside them.