Federal Payroll-Tax Deposit Requirements

Deposit schedule is based on prior liability

For a 2026 Form 941 filer, the lookback period generally runs from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. An employer reporting $50,000 or less during the lookback period is generally a monthly depositor; more than $50,000 generally produces a semiweekly schedule.

The $100,000 next-day rule

If accumulated employment-tax liability reaches $100,000 or more on any day during a deposit period, the amount generally must be deposited by the next business day. A monthly depositor triggering the rule becomes a semiweekly depositor beginning the next day and remains one for at least the rest of that year and the following year.

Operational controls

• Determine deposit status before each calendar year.
• Base liability timing on wage-payment dates, not accounting accrual dates.
• Monitor the next-day threshold every payroll day.
• Use electronic funds transfer for federal tax deposits.
• Reconcile deposits to Schedule B or the applicable liability schedule and Form 941.

This resource is provided for general educational purposes and does not constitute legal, tax, benefits, or other professional advice. Requirements vary by organization and jurisdiction. Confirm current rules with authoritative sources and qualified advisors.