What is required if a previous quarter adjustment is made after the deadline?

When a previous quarter adjustment is made after the established deadline, it must be processed as an amendment. This is because the original filing is considered final, and any changes or corrections necessitate a formal amendment to reflect the new information accurately.

Amending the report ensures that any errors are corrected officially and that the records are updated accordingly. This process is not only a best practice but also a requirement to maintain compliance with tax regulations and reporting standards. Properly filing an amendment helps avoid potential issues or penalties that could arise from unreported or incorrect information in the initial filings.

Ignoring the adjustment or trying to make corrections without going through the amendment process does not address the legal and regulatory obligations of payroll reporting. Moreover, directly reporting an adjustment to the IRS without formally amending the filing is not a standard practice and could lead to complications or misunderstandings regarding the employer's tax responsibilities.