Pass-Through Entity Tax Information
- What's New for 2024
- Definitions
- Who Must File a Pass-Through Entity Tax Return
- Substantial Economic Presence
- How to File
- When to File (Tax Due Date and Extensions)
- Electronic Payment Options
- Estimated Tax Payments
- Interest and Penalties
- Disregarded Entities
- Order in Which to Complete Schedules
Pass-through entity tax optional starting January 1, 2024
Legislation makes the pass-through entity tax optional. The election is made annually and is irrevocable. Starting with taxable years commencing on and after January 1, 2024, any entity that elects to pay such tax must give the Commissioner of Revenue Services written notice for each tax year it makes the election and must do so no later than the due date (or extended due date) for filing the return. Checking off the box on a timely filed Form CT‑1065/CT‑1120SI, Connecticut Composite Income Tax Return, electing to file a Pass‑Through Entity Tax return will constitute written notice. The legislation also makes the following changes to the pass-through entity tax:
- Requires that the pass-through entity file an income tax return and pay the tax on behalf of nonresident members.
- Eliminates the option of standard or alternative base method. All entities now calculate PE income similar to the alternative base method from prior years.
- Eliminates the requirement to pay tax for C Corporations and tax‑exempt entities.
- Eliminates the option for a pass-through entity to file a combined return with one or more commonly-owned pass-through entities.
- Eliminates Net Operating Loss offset from prior years.
The legislation is effective January 1, 2024, and applicable to taxable years starting on and after that date.
Pass-through entity (PE) means a partnership or an S corporation.
Partnership means and includes a general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, publicly traded partnership, limited liability company (LLC) treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, or other entity treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
Parent pass‑through entity (parent PE) is a PE which is a member of another PE. A PE may be both a parent PE (with respect to one or more PEs) and a subsidiary PE (with respect to one or more PEs).
Subsidiary pass‑through entity (subsidiary PE) is a PE which has at least one member which is itself a PE. A PE may be both a subsidiary PE (with respect to one or more PEs) and a parent PE (with respect to one or more PEs).
S corporation means a corporation which is an S corporation for federal income tax purposes.
Member means and includes a partner of a partnership, a member of an LLC treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, or a shareholder of an S corporation.
Member’s share means a partner’s distributive share of partnership income, gain, loss, or deduction; a member’s distributive share of LLC income, gain, loss, or deduction; or a shareholder’s pro‑rata share of S corporation income, gain, loss, or deduction.
Noncorporate member means each member that is a resident individual, resident trust, resident estate, nonresident individual, nonresident trust, nonresident estate, part‑year resident individual, or part‑year resident trust.
Nonresident noncorporate member means each noncorporate member who is a nonresident individual, nonresident trust, nonresident estate, part‑year resident individual, or part-year resident trust.
Corporate member means each member which is a C corporation for federal income tax purposes, LLC which has elected to be taxed as a C corporation for federal income tax purposes, real estate investment trust, real estate mortgage investment conduit, regulated investment company, individual retirement account described in 26 U.S.C. § 408(a), trust described in 26 U.S.C. § 401(a), or organization exempt from federal income tax (including organizations described in 26 U.S.C. § 501(c) or (d)).
For Distributive Share Percentage, see the instructions for Part 4 - Member Information, in the Form CT-PET instructions.
Who Must File a Pass-Through Entity Tax Return
Legislation makes the pass-through entity tax optional. Starting with taxable years commencing on and after January 1, 2024, any entity that elects to pay such tax must give the Commissioner of Revenue Services written notice for each tax year it makes the election and must do so no later than the due date (or extended due date) for filing the return. Checking off the box on a timely filed Form CT‑1065/CT‑1120SI, Connecticut Composite Income Tax Return, electing to file a Pass‑Through Entity Tax return will constitute written notice. The PE must first complete either federal Form 1065, U.S. Return of Partnership Income, or federal Form 1120S, U.S. Income Tax Return for an S Corporation. Information on the federal return is needed to complete Form CT-PET.
A PE having a substantial economic presence in Connecticut will be deemed to be doing business in Connecticut. A PE has substantial economic presence in Connecticut if it purposefully directs business toward the state. The purpose can be determined by the frequency, quantity, and systematic nature of its economic contact with Connecticut. See Informational Publication 2010(29.1), Q & A on Economic Nexus.
File Electronically
Form CT-PET, Connecticut Pass-Through Entity Tax Return, Form CT-PET EXT, Application for Extension of Time to File Connecticut Pass-Through Entity Tax Return, and Form CT-PET ES, Estimated Connecticut Pass‑Through Entity Tax Payment Coupon, must be filed and paid electronically. These returns can be filed and paid through myconneCT or the MeF Program.
Click here to File, Pay, or Register Now on myconneCT!
Modernized e-File Program (MeF)
DRS accepts PE Tax returns, extensions and estimated payments through the MeF Program. Check with your software provider for availability.
When to File (Tax Due Date and Extensions)
Form CT‑PET is due on or before the fifteenth day of the third month following the close of the taxable year (March 15 for calendar year filers).
If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the return will be considered timely if filed by the next business day.
If Form CT‑PET is filed late or all the tax due is not paid with the return, see Interest and Penalties to determine if interest and penalty must be reported with this return.
To request additional time to file, use Form CT-PET EXT, Application for Extension of Time to File Connecticut Pass-Through Entity Tax Return. For detailed information, see the Form CT-PET EXT instructions.
To request additional time to pay, use Form CT‑1127, Application for Extension of Time for Payment of Income Tax. For detailed information, see the Form CT-1127 instructions.
Visit myconneCT to make an electronic payment. After logging into myconneCT, find your tax account on the Summary screen, select the Make a Payment link and choose your payment method.
- Pay by Direct Payment: Using this option authorizes DRS to electronically withdraw a payment from your bank account (checking or savings) on a date you select up to the due date.
- Pay by Credit Card or Debit Card: You may elect to pay your tax liability using a credit card (American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard®, VISA®) or comparable debit card. A convenience fee will be charged by the credit card service provider. You will be informed of the amount of the fee and may elect to cancel the transaction. Your payment will be effective on the date you make the charge.
At the end of the transaction, you will be given a confirmation number for your records. As a reminder, even if you pay electronically, you must still file your return by the due date. Tax not paid on or before the due date will be subject to penalty and interest.
Every PE whose required annual payment is equal to or greater than $1,000 must make estimated payments in four installments. The required annual payment is the lesser of:
- 90% of the PE Tax shown on Part 1, Schedule A, Line 2a of the return for the current taxable year, or, if no return is filed, 90% of the PE Tax for such year; or
- 100% of the PE Tax shown on Part 1, Schedule A, Line 2a of the return for the previous taxable year, if the previous taxable year was a taxable year of 12 months and if the PE filed a return for the previous income year.
| Estimated Tax Payments | |||
| Estimated Tax Due Dates | Required Payment Amounts The estimated payments for the income year are the lesser of: |
||
| First | Fifteenth Day of the fourth month of the taxable year (April 15th for calendar year filers) | 25% of prior year tax or 22.5% of current year tax | |
| Second | Fifteenth Day of the sixth month of the taxable year (June 15th for calendar year filers) | * 50% of prior year tax or 45% of current year tax | |
| Third | Fifteenth Day of the ninth month of the taxable year (September 15th for calendar year filers) | * 75% of prior year tax or 67.5% of current year tax | |
| Fourth | Fifteenth Day of the first month after the end of the taxable year (January 15th for calendar year filers) | * 100% of prior year tax or 90% of current year tax | |
| * Taking into account all prior estimated tax payments made for this year | |||
Use Form CT-PET ES, Estimated Connecticut Pass-Through Entity Tax Payment Coupon, to make estimated Connecticut income tax payments. For detailed information about estimates, see the Form CT-PET ES instructions.
In general, interest and penalty apply to any portion of the tax not paid on or before the original due date of the return.
Interest
If the PE does not pay the tax when due, it will owe interest at the rate of 1% per month or fraction of a month until the tax is paid in full.
Interest on underpayment or late payment of tax cannot be waived.
Penalty for Late Payment or Late Filing
The penalty for late payment or underpayment of tax is 10% of the tax not paid on or before the original due date of the return. The PE can avoid a penalty for failure to pay the full amount due by the original due date if:
- The PE files Form CT-1127;
- An extension of time to pay is granted; and
- The PE pays all the tax due in full by the end of the extension period.
For detailed information, see the Form CT-1127 instructions.
If no tax is due, the Commissioner of Revenue Services may impose a $50 penalty for the late filing of any return or report required by law to be filed.
Electronic Payment Penalties
The following graduated penalty amounts will apply if you fail to remit payments electronically:
- First offense – 10% penalty on the amount of the tax payment, but not more than $2,500;
- Second offense – 10% penalty, but not more than $10,000; and
- Third and subsequent offenses – 10% penalty.
When initiating a payment through your financial institution’s online banking system you must verify that your financial institution is sending an EFT, not a check.
Penalty for Failure to File
If the PE does not file its return and the Commissioner of Revenue Services files a return for it, the penalty for failure to file is 10% of the balance due or $50, whichever is greater.
If the PE is required to file an amended Form CT‑PET and fails to timely do so, a penalty may be imposed.
Penalty for Willful Failure to File or Pay
If you willfully fail to pay the tax or file a return, you may be fined up to $1,000 or imprisoned up to one year, or both, in addition to any other penalty.
Penalty for Willful Filing of a Fraudulent or Materially False Return
If you willfully file a tax return you know to be fraudulent or false in any material matter, you may be fined up to $5,000 or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both.
If the PE reports income or loss from a disregarded entity (DE), prepare a statement to include the DE’s name and Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN).
The PE filing Form CT‑PET electronically should retain a copy of the completed statement for three years from the date of filing. The statement must be provided to DRS upon request. Taxpayers filing by paper, must attach the statement to their paper return.
Order in Which to Complete Schedules
Complete the schedules for Form CT‑PET, Connecticut Pass‑Through Entity Tax Return, in the following order:
- Pass‑Through Entity Information;
- Part 2 – Allocation and Apportionment of Income;
- Part 3, Schedule B – PE’s Connecticut Modifications;
- Part 3, Schedule A – Computation of PE’s Own Connecticut Source Income/(Loss);
- Part 4 – Member Information;
- Part 1, Schedule B – Pass‑Through Entity Income;
- Part 1, Schedule C – Resident Portion of Unsourced Income;
- Part 1, Schedule D – Allocation of PE Tax Credit to Members; and
- Part 1, Schedule A – Computation of Amount Due.