Does Your Business Have to File Schedules K-2 and K-3?


In alignment with IRS requirements, there are certain businesses that must file Schedule K-2 and Schedule K-3. Ultimately, any pass-through entities that have relevant international income, deductions, credits or other miscellaneous items must submit completed Schedule K-2 and Schedule K-3 forms.

What is Schedule K-2 and Schedule K-3?

Schedule K-2 is associated with Partner's Distributive Share Items — International, while Schedule K-3 is categorized as Partner's Share of Income, Deductions, Credits — International. Any taxpayers who file Forms 1065, 1120-S or 8865 must also fill out the documents' accompanying worksheets.

Both Schedules K-2 and K-3 were initially designed to re place documentation that was already part of Schedules K and K-1. They can also replace various filing requirements of domestic partnerships and those who claim foreign tax credits.

Any and all failure to comply with the new schedules could potentially trigger the application of certain penalties according to Internal Revenue Code Sections 6698, 6721 and 6722. It is important to mention that domestic partnerships supported with domestic income only, as well as domestic assets, may have to complete the relevant section of Schedule K-2 and Schedule K-3 if the entities have partners who are planning to claim the foreign tax credit.

What information does it replace?

Before Schedules K-2 and K-3 were put forth, a lot of the information that is now required to be provided on Schedules K-2 and K-3 was originally reported as part of Schedules K and K-1. Even though Schedules K-2 and K-3 technically encompass the reporting of items that are of additional tax relevance, these forms do not provide a clear nor concise definition of what this term means in application.

Here are a few examples of information that Schedules K-2 and K-3 ask for in the context of international relevance, all of which were originally required to be reported as part of Schedules K and K-1:

According to IRS Notice 2021-39, transitional relief is available to taxpayers who have the means to prove that they made an intentional effort to ensure they are in compliance with the updated requirements.

The IRS has done so by updating its systems, simplifying processes and making procedures easier to follow. Changes have been made to partnership agreements and various other governing documents as a way of making the process of gathering relevant information easier than before.

Differences between Schedule K-2 and Schedule K-3

Additionally, there are four details that you should be mindful of and familiar with:

Ultimately, Schedules K-2 and K-3 will offer more clarity for shareholders and partners alike as they go about calculating their total U.S. income tax liability in addition to all international-related income, as well as any applicable deductions.

Need Help?

Completing either Schedule K-2 or Schedule K-3 will be complicated. Filing out these documents requires that you have an in-depth understanding of international tax concepts. That's why entities that find themselves needing to complete one if not both of these forms should consult with us.