Partnership Income Tax Guide

This guide will take you through the top pieces of information to help you prepare for partnership taxes, including types of partnerships and how they are taxed, when and where to file, and which form to use.

We'll also look at how the partnership's taxes are transferred to, and paid by, the partners.

Partnership Tax Return Due Dates

The due date for income taxes for partnerships and multiple-member LLCs taxed as partnerships is March 15. If March 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the return is due the next business day. Check this article about business tax due dates for the current year to get the exact date.

You may file your partnership return electronically, but partnerships with more than 100 partners are required to file Form 1065, Schedule K-1, and other related forms and schedules electronically.

What's New With Partnership Income Taxes?

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act had multiple changes that can affect your partnership income tax return beginning in 2018 and beyond. Some of the major changes that could affect your partnership are:

• Allowing more small businesses to use the cash accounting method instead of accrual accounting
• Increased write-offs for depreciating business assets like equipment and vehicles
• Elimination of tax-loss carrybacks (but net operating losses can still be carried forward to future years)
• Elimination of entertainment expense deductions, though meal expense deductions are still available, most at 50%

New Qualified Business Income Deduction

A new Qualified Business Income Deduction allows partners to take a deduction for up to 20% of their portion of business income, in addition to other normal business deductions. This new deduction has many limits and qualifications, so check with your tax professional to see if you qualify.

Partnership Federal Income Tax Forms

Partnerships file their federal income tax returns using Form 1065. This is an information return, meaning that no tax is imposed directly on the partnership based on information in Form 1065.

The partnership must also prepare a Schedule K-1 to give to each partner, showing that partner's distribution of the taxable profits or losses of the partnership for that year.

The Schedule K-1 is filed with the individual partner's personal income tax return for the year, and the total from the Schedule K-1 is recorded on Line 12, Business Income. Individual partners pay income taxes on their share of the profits from the partnership.

Information and Documents Needed for Partnership Tax Return

To file your partnership income taxes, you will need to provide some financial reports and other documents to your tax preparer. These documents include:

• A balance sheet for the beginning of the partnership's fiscal year and the end of that year
• A profit-and-loss statement for the end of the year
• Information to calculate the cost of goods sold

Here is a list of the documents needed to prepare a partnership income tax return. 

Filing an Extension for Partnership Income Taxes

To file an application to extend your partnership tax return, you must use Form 7004. This form must be filed by March 15, and taxes (estimated) must be paid by that date. You have six months to file the return, which is due September 15.

If you were affected by winter storms in Texas, Louisiana, or Oklahoma in 2021, you do not need to file an application to extend—as long as you file your taxes by June 15. If you want to delay filing until September 15, you will need to request an extension.

Filing an Amended Partnership Tax Return

To file an amended partnership return, make a copy of the partnership return Form 1065, and check the box G(5) on page 1. Attach a statement with details on what is being changed.

If the Schedule K-1 (partner or LLC member statement) is incorrect, check the "Amended K-1" box on the top of the Schedule K-1 to indicate that it has been amended.

Estimated Taxes for Partners in Partnerships

The partnership itself pays no income tax, so it doesn't pay estimated taxes. A partner may have to pay estimated taxes if they expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes when their return is filed.

Quarterly estimated tax due dates are usually April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 (of the following year). You may pay estimated taxes by check (with a voucher) or by direct pay.

State Partnership Taxes

Partners must pay income taxes on their distribution of profit in a partnership in the state or states where the partnership is located. Partnership taxes are paid on the individual partner's personal state tax returns.

Don't Forget Self-Employment Taxes

General partners in a partnership are not considered employees but are self-employed. Their income as a partner may be subject to self-employment taxes (Social Security and Medicare taxes), based on the partnership type.

General partners usually pay self-employment tax on their earnings (with some exceptions), but a limited partner's share of partnership income isn't subject to self-employment taxes. (There are exceptions there, too.)

If you must pay self-employment tax, you must prepare and file a Schedule SE to report your partnership income and calculate the self-employment tax amount. This tax amount is added to your personal tax return.

Husband-Wife Partnerships as Qualified Joint Ventures

If you and your spouse are the sole owners of a partnership (not an LLC), you may be able to elect qualified joint venture status and file two Schedule C forms instead of filing the partnership tax form.

You don't need to file an election to do this, but you must meet certain specific qualifications. Both members must materially participate, there must be no other owners, and they must file a joint tax return.