The elimination of the withholding requirement is effective for FTE tax years that begin on or after July 1, 2016. Therefore, calendar year FTEs no longer have a withholding responsibility beginning with tax year 2017.
All owners of FTEs with Michigan business activity should account for their distributive share of Michigan income in the computation of their individual, trust or corporate income tax estimated payments. A FTE will still be allowed for 2017 and later years to file a composite income tax return on behalf of nonresident individual and trust owners and may remit composite tax estimates on behalf of such owners. Composite tax estimates are to be remitted using Fiduciary Voucher for Estimated Income Tax (Form MI-1041ES).
Application of the repeal of FTE withholding and the requirement for calendar year owners to remit estimated tax payments based on the tax year of the FTE is as follows:
- Calendar year FTE for tax year 2017: A calendar tax year owner will account for the distributive share of Michigan income in the computation of Michigan income tax estimates for the owner’s 2017 tax year. Withholding is not required or allowed.
- Fiscal year FTE with tax year beginning in 2016 on or after July 1 and ending in 2017: A calendar tax year owner will account for the distributive share of Michigan income in the computation of Michigan income tax estimates for the owner’s 2017 tax year. Withholding is not required or allowed.
- Fiscal year FTE with tax year beginning in 2016 before July 1 and ending in 2017: Since the FTE is still required to comply with FTE withholding for its tax year, a calendar tax year owner will not account for the distributive share of Michigan income in the computation of Michigan income tax estimates for the owner’s 2017 tax year.
- Fiscal year FTE with tax year beginning in 2017 and ending in 2018: A calendar tax year owner will account for the distributive share of Michigan income in the computation of Michigan income tax estimates for the owner’s 2018 tax year. Withholding is not required or allowed.
