1065: U.S. Return of Partnership Income (2025)

Who files this form

Domestic partnerships

Generally, every domestic partnership must file Form 1065 unless it receives no income and has no expenditures treated as deductions or credits for federal income tax purposes. LLCs classified as partnerships for federal income tax purposes have the same filing requirements.

Special rules include:

• A partnership seeking certification as a qualified opportunity fund must file Form 1065 with Form 8996, even if it has no income or expenses.
• A religious or apostolic organization exempt under section 501(d) must file Form 1065 to report its taxable income.
• A qualifying organization that elects out of partnership treatment under section 761(a) generally must file for the election year, but not later years covered by the election.
• REMICs file Form 1066 instead. Certain publicly traded partnerships treated as corporations file Form 1120.

Businesses owned by spouses

Spouses who jointly own and operate an unincorporated business and share its profits and losses generally must file Form 1065. An eligible married couple may elect qualified joint venture treatment instead. Among the requirements, both spouses must materially participate, file a joint return, and be the business's only owners. The business cannot be held in the name of a state-law entity such as an LLC or partnership.

Foreign partnerships

A foreign partnership generally must file if it has U.S.-source gross income or gross income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. The instructions provide two exceptions for foreign partnerships with U.S.-source income and no effectively connected income, subject to additional conditions.

A partnership that is a qualified derivatives dealer, or has a branch that is one, must file even if it would otherwise be exempt.

When it's due

• 2025 calendar-year partnership return: March 16, 2026. The instructions expressly allow timely filing by this date.
• Extension request: File Form 7004 by the regular due date of the partnership return. Form 7004 can be filed electronically.

What you'll need

Have the partnership's name, address, employer identification number (EIN), business activity, accounting method, and financial information ready.

Prepare the attachments that apply to your return, including:

• Schedule K-1: Attach one for every person who was a partner at any time during the tax year.
• Income and expense attachments: Examples include Form 1125-A for cost of goods sold, Schedule F for farm income, Form 8825 for rental real estate income, Schedule D for capital gains and losses, and Form 4797 for applicable property gains and losses.
• Deduction forms: Attach Form 4562 when required for depreciation or for a section 179 deduction, and Form 7205 for the energy efficient commercial buildings deduction.
• Supporting statements: Include statements required for items such as other income, other deductions, and certain ownership or basis adjustments. Put the partnership's name and EIN on each supporting statement.
• Other applicable schedules: These may include Schedule B-1 for specified ownership interests, Schedule B-2 for an election out of the centralized partnership audit regime, and Schedules K-2 and K-3 for international tax information.

Keep records supporting income, deductions, credits, and property basis, along with copies of filed returns.

How to file

Electronic filing

Partnerships must file Form 1065 and related forms and schedules electronically if they file 10 or more returns of any type during the tax year. This count includes information, income tax, employment tax, and excise tax returns. Partnerships with more than 100 partners must also file electronically.

The instructions provide hardship waiver procedures, a religious exemption, and exclusions for certain returns. For electronic filing information, visit IRS.gov/Filing or call the e-Help Desk at 866-255-0654.

Paper filing addresses

If filing on paper, use the address that applies to the location of the partnership's principal business, office, or agency and its year-end total assets.

Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin:

If total assets are less than $10 million and Schedule M-3 is not filed, send the return to:

Department of the Treasury

Internal Revenue Service Center

Kansas City, MO 64999-0011

If total assets are $10 million or more, or Schedule M-3 is filed, send it to:

Department of the Treasury

Internal Revenue Service Center

Ogden, UT 84201-0011

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming:

For any amount of assets, send the return to:

Department of the Treasury

Internal Revenue Service Center

Ogden, UT 84201-0011

A foreign country or U.S. territory:

For any amount of assets, the address listed is:

Internal Revenue Service

P.O. Box 409101

Ogden, UT 84409

The instructions also state that a return with Schedule M-3 must be filed at the Ogden Internal Revenue Service Center.

Private delivery services

For IRS-designated services, visit IRS.gov/PDS. Use IRS.gov/PDSStreetAddresses to find the delivery address. Private delivery services cannot deliver to P.O. boxes.

Sign and assemble the return

A partner or LLC member generally must sign the return. Special signing rules apply to fiduciaries, entity partners, and administrative adjustment requests.

Start with Form 1065 pages 1 through 6, then add applicable attachments in the order listed under “Assembling the Return” in the instructions. Complete every applicable entry space and show totals on the printed forms.

Common mistakes

• Putting nonbusiness items on page 1: The form cautions that lines 1a through 23 must include only trade or business income and expenses.
• Deducting oil and gas depletion on line 17: The form specifically says not to do this.
• Writing “See attached” instead of filling in entries: Complete every applicable entry on Form 1065 and Schedule K-1. The instructions warn that an incomplete return may lead to penalties.
• Leaving identifying information off statements: Put the partnership's name and EIN on each supporting statement, and show totals on the printed forms.
• Using a private delivery service for a P.O. box: Use the U.S. Postal Service for items sent to an IRS P.O. box address.
• Forgetting the signature: Form 1065 is not considered a return unless signed as required.

Questions people ask

Does the partnership generally pay income tax itself?

Generally, no. Form 1065 is an information return. The partnership generally passes profits or losses through to its partners, who must include partnership items on their own tax or information returns.

Do I need a Schedule K-1 for someone who left during the year?

Yes. Attach a Schedule K-1 for every person who was a partner at any time during the tax year.

Can a small partnership skip some financial schedules?

Yes, if it meets all four conditions in Schedule B, question 4: total receipts are less than $250,000; year-end total assets are less than $1 million; Schedules K-1 are filed with the return and furnished to partners by the return's due date, including extensions; and the partnership is neither filing nor required to file Schedule M-3. It then need not complete Schedules L, M-1, and M-2, item F on page 1, or item L on Schedule K-1.

How do I request more time to file?

File Form 7004 by the regular due date of the partnership return. Form 7004 can be filed electronically.

Where do I find payment or refund instructions?

If line 31 shows a balance due, go to IRS.gov/Payments. If line 32a shows an overpayment, enter direct deposit information on lines 32b, 32c, and 32d.

Official sources

• https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/i1065--2025.pdf
• https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/f1065--2025.pdf