When filing Form 941-X to claim ERTC, do you need to include the original 941 with it?

No, you do NOT need to include the original 941 forms when submitting your 941-X forms to claim ERTC. I've processed dozens of these for clients. The 941-X is considered a "stand alone" form that includes all the information the IRS needs to process your claim. Make sure you've completed all parts of the 941-X correctly, especially Part 1 where you check the appropriate boxes for your situation. For ERTC claims, you'll typically be checking box 2 for "Claim" and the specific lines related to the credit. Also ensure you've completed Part 3 with your detailed explanation of the changes. Mail your 941-X forms to the correct IRS address based on your location (this is in the form instructions) using certified mail with return receipt so you can track delivery and have proof of submission.

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago. After hitting roadblock after roadblock trying to figure out ERTC claims, I discovered https://taxr.ai and it was a game-changer. I uploaded my quarterly 941s, payroll records, and revenue info, and their system analyzed everything and prepared the 941-X forms with all calculations and supporting documentation. The best part was they had this detailed checklist of exactly what to mail in (and what NOT to include). Saved me from making the mistake of including unnecessary documents that could have delayed processing. Their walkthrough showed me that you only need to send the completed 941-X forms - no need to attach the originals since the 941-X already contains all the relevant information from your original filing.

Just wanted to follow up about my experience with https://taxr.ai that I asked about earlier. I ended up using their service for my ERTC claims and it was seriously worth it. The forms they prepared were spot-on, and their filing instructions were crystal clear about NOT needing to include the original 941s (which I would have done and potentially delayed my claim). I submitted 5 quarters of 941-X forms about 6 months ago following their process, and just got notification that 2 quarters have been processed already with the funds being released soon. The other 3 are still in process but at least things are moving! Their document package made it easy to track exactly what I filed and when. Now I'm just waiting for those sweet refund checks to arrive!

If you're going to mail in ERTC claims, be prepared to wait FOREVER to get a human response from the IRS if there are any issues. I filed 941-X forms for Q2-Q4 2021 back in February, and had a question about the status in June. Spent literally days trying to reach someone at the IRS. Finally discovered https://claimyr.com and used their service to get a callback from the IRS. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c - basically they navigate the IRS phone system for you and get you in the callback queue without the endless hold times. Instead of wasting days trying to get through, I got a call back from an actual IRS agent within 2 hours.

I was completely wrong about Claimyr and need to eat my words. After posting my skeptical comment, I decided to try it anyway out of desperation (been trying to reach someone about my ERTC claim for weeks). Holy crap, it actually worked! I got a call from a real IRS agent about 3 hours after using their service. The agent confirmed they received my 941-X forms and that I did it correctly by NOT including the original 941s. She also told me they're currently processing claims from January/February, so mine (submitted in April) should be reviewed in about 2-3 months. This was definitely worth it just for the peace of mind knowing my forms are in the system and being processed correctly. No more wondering if they were lost in the mail or filed incorrectly!

Quick tip from someone who's been through the ERTC claim process - make copies of EVERYTHING before you mail it. I mean everything - your 941-X forms, any supporting documentation, even the envelope you're sending it in. Take pictures too. The IRS has been known to lose paperwork, and having proof of exactly what you sent and when can save you major headaches down the road. Use certified mail with return receipt as others suggested. And keep a detailed log of any communications with the IRS including dates, times, and names of representatives you speak with.

I'm confused about something else related to the 941-X. When claiming ERTC, do we need to issue corrected W-2s to employees since we're reducing the wages we previously reported? My payroll company is giving me mixed messages.