In-depth guide 6 min read

Form 8027 Instructions

James Reyes
James Reyes

CPA, Tax Advisor · 6/28/2026

Form 8027 instructions must be followed carefully by employers who report tip income and allocate tips to their employees, with the deadline for filing being February 28th.

Form 8027 is used to report tip income and allocate tips to employees; it is filed by employers with tipped employees; the deadline for filing is February 28th. According to the IRS, Form 8027 is used to report the total amount of tips received by an employer, as well as the amount of tips allocated to each employee (irs.gov, about-form-8027).

What is Form 8027?

Form 8027 is a crucial document that employers with tipped employees must file with the IRS. It is used to report the total amount of tips received by the employer, as well as the amount of tips allocated to each employee.

Employers with tipped employees must file Form 8027 if they have $20,000 or more in gross receipts from the business of receiving tips, or if they have one or more employees who received $20 or more in tips (irs.gov, about-form-8027).

The deadline for filing Form 8027 is February 28th of each year. Employers who fail to file Form 8027 by the deadline may be subject to penalties and fines.

Form 8027 Instructions: Step-by-Step

To complete Form 8027, employers must follow these steps:

  1. Complete Part I: Employer Information
  2. Complete Part II: Summary of Tips
  3. Complete Part III: Allocated Tips

In Part I, employers must provide their name, address, and Employer Identification Number (EIN). In Part II, employers must report the total amount of tips received and the amount of tips allocated to each employee.

In Part III, employers must provide a detailed breakdown of the allocated tips, including the amount of tips allocated to each employee and the Treasury Tipped Occupation Codes (TTOC) used to report the tips.

Who Needs to File Form 8027?

Employers with tipped employees must file Form 8027 if they have $20,000 or more in gross receipts from the business of receiving tips, or if they have one or more employees who received $20 or more in tips (irs.gov, about-form-8027).

This includes employers in the food and beverage industry, such as restaurants and bars, as well as employers in the service industry, such as hair salons and spas.

Comparison of Form 8027 and Form 4137

Form 8027 is used for employer tip reporting, while Form 4137 is used for individual tip reporting. Both forms are due by February 28th of each year.

Employers must file Form 8027 to report the total amount of tips received and the amount of tips allocated to each employee, while employees must file Form 4137 to report their own tips.

Tips for Completing Form 8027

To complete Form 8027 accurately, employers must use the Treasury Tipped Occupation Codes (TTOC) to report the tips. This ensures that the tips are reported correctly and that the employer is in compliance with the tax laws.

Employers must also report the tips in Box 14b of the W-2 form and keep accurate records of the tip income.

The IRS provides guidance on the completion of Form 8027, including the use of TTOC and the reporting of tips in Box 14b (irs.gov, about-form-8027).

Form 8027 Instructions: Filing Options

Employers can file Form 8027 electronically through the IRS website, or by mail using the address listed in the instructions.

Employers can also use tax software to simplify the filing process and ensure that they are in compliance with the tax laws.

FAQs

What is the penalty for not filing Form 8027?

The penalty for not filing Form 8027 is a fine of $110 or 1% of the unpaid tax, whichever is less (irs.gov, penalties).

Can I file Form 8027 electronically?

Yes, employers can file Form 8027 electronically through the IRS website (irs.gov, e-file).

What is the deadline for filing Form 8027?

The deadline for filing Form 8027 is February 28th of each year (irs.gov, about-form-8027).

What are the Treasury Tipped Occupation Codes (TTOC) used for?

The Treasury Tipped Occupation Codes (TTOC) are used to report tips on Form 8027 and to ensure that the tips are reported correctly (home.treasury.gov).

Can I use tax software to file Form 8027?

Yes, employers can use tax software to simplify the filing process and ensure that they are in compliance with the tax laws (irs.gov, tax software).

Key Takeaways

Key takeaways

  • Form 8027 is used to report tip income and allocate tips to employees.
  • The deadline for filing Form 8027 is February 28th of each year.
  • Accurate records and reporting are crucial for compliance with the tax laws.

Employers with tipped employees must file Form 8027 if they have $20,000 or more in gross receipts from the business of receiving tips, or if they have one or more employees who received $20 or more in tips (irs.gov, about-form-8027).

To complete Form 8027 accurately, employers must use the Treasury Tipped Occupation Codes (TTOC) to report the tips and report the tips in Box 14b of the W-2 form (irs.gov, about-form-8027).

The IRS provides guidance on the completion of Form 8027, including the use of TTOC and the reporting of tips in Box 14b (irs.gov, about-form-8027).

Example: John's Restaurant

John's Restaurant has $200,000 in gross receipts from the business of receiving tips and has two employees who received $10,000 and $15,000 in tips, respectively.

John's Restaurant must file Form 8027 to report the total amount of tips received and the amount of tips allocated to each employee.

In Part I, John's Restaurant must provide their name, address, and Employer Identification Number (EIN). In Part II, John's Restaurant must report the total amount of tips received and the amount of tips allocated to each employee.

In Part III, John's Restaurant must provide a detailed breakdown of the allocated tips, including the amount of tips allocated to each employee and the Treasury Tipped Occupation Codes (TTOC) used to report the tips.

John's Restaurant can file Form 8027 electronically through the IRS website, or by mail using the address listed in the instructions.

John's Restaurant can also use tax software to simplify the filing process and ensure that they are in compliance with the tax laws.

By following the instructions for Form 8027 and using the Treasury Tipped Occupation Codes (TTOC) to report the tips, John's Restaurant can ensure that they are in compliance with the tax laws and avoid any penalties or fines.

The IRS provides guidance on the completion of Form 8027, including the use of TTOC and the reporting of tips in Box 14b (irs.gov, about-form-8027).

Table: Treasury Tipped Occupation Codes (TTOC)

CodeDescription
70Food Service Workers
80Bartenders and Bar Servers
90Hairdressers and Barbers

The Treasury Tipped Occupation Codes (TTOC) are used to report tips on Form 8027 and to ensure that the tips are reported correctly (home.treasury.gov).

Employers must use the correct TTOC to report the tips and ensure that they are in compliance with the tax laws.

The IRS provides guidance on the use of TTOC and the reporting of tips in Box 14b (irs.gov, about-form-8027).

Closing Note

This article provides general information on the completion of Form 8027 and the use of Treasury Tipped Occupation Codes (TTOC). It is not intended to provide tax advice and should not be relied upon for compliance with the tax laws.

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Informational only — not tax advice. Verify with a qualified professional or the IRS before acting on it.