CD-401S: S-Corporation Tax Return (2025)
North Carolina · North Carolina DOR · Used for tax years 2025
Form CD-401S is North Carolina’s 2025 S-Corporation Tax Return. It reports corporation income, computes franchise tax and applicable North Carolina income tax, and records payments, credits, and any tax due or refund.
When it's due
For tax year 2025, the form states that returns are due by the 15th day of the 4th month after the end of the income year.
What you'll need
Gather the corporation's identifying information, income and deduction records, balance sheet information, shareholder details, and tax payment records needed to complete the return.
Depending on the entries you make, the form calls for these supporting documents:
- Form CD-425 if you claim tax credits on Schedule A, Line 4, or Schedule B, Line 20e.
- A copy of Form D-403 NC K-1 if you claim a partnership payment on Line 20c.
- A copy of Form 1099 or W-2 for nonresident withholding on Line 20d.
- Form NC-PE for additions or deductions reported on Schedule I.
- Schedules supporting accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization, and affiliated indebtedness reported on Schedule C.
- A schedule of affiliates if the corporation is a Qualified Subchapter S Subsidiary or the parent of one. A subsidiary must also provide its parent's name and FEIN.
- A supporting calculation schedule if you use a special apportionment formula.
Schedule G says to complete it only if you do not attach a copy of your federal income tax return. Other lines also request supporting schedules for specific entries.
How to file
Complete the applicable return schedules. All taxpayers must complete Schedule F. Have a corporate officer sign and date the return and provide their title. The form also has a signature and date area for a paid preparer.
Mail the return to:
N.C. Dept. of Revenue
P.O. Box 25000
Raleigh, N.C. 27640-0500
Submit the original return, not a photocopy. Do not include the handwritten-form guidelines page.
The form says you may pay your tax online, but refers to instructions for details. For payment, it specifies U.S. currency from a domestic bank.
Common mistakes
- Using the wrong ink or formatting. For handwritten forms, use blue or black ink, not red. Do not enter dollar signs, commas, or other punctuation marks. Use capital letters for the name and address.
- Printing incorrectly. Set page scaling to “none,” uncheck Auto-Rotate and Center, and do not print on both sides of the paper.
- Sending photocopies or mixing form types. Submit originals only and do not mix form types.
- Leaving out required attachments. Attach Form CD-425 when claiming the specified tax credits, and a copy of Form D-403 NC K-1 when claiming a partnership payment on Line 20c.
- Including the wrong amounts on Lines 20c through 20e. Enter only amounts attributable to nonresidents filing composite or to Taxed S Corporations.
- Rounding the apportionment factor too much. The form requires four places to the right of the decimal.
- Missing negative-amount or overpayment circles. Fill in the applicable circles for negative amounts on Lines 7–11 and 13–17, and for overpayments on Lines 24–26.
Questions people ask
Where do I indicate a Taxed S Corporation election?
On Page 1, answer “Yes” or “No” to whether the S corporation is making the election to be a Taxed S Corporation for tax year 2025.
Does the form ask about a federal filing extension?
Yes. Page 1 asks whether you were granted an automatic extension to file your 2025 federal income tax return, Form 1120S.
Do I need to complete Schedule G if I attach my federal return?
Schedule G says to complete it only if you do not attach a copy of your federal income tax return.
Can I apply an overpayment to next year's estimated income tax?
Yes. Line 31 lets you apply an amount from your Line 30 overpayment to 2026 estimated income tax. Lines 32 and 33 also let you designate amounts for the N.C. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund and the N.C. Education Endowment Fund. Line 34 is the remaining amount to be refunded.
Can I authorize the Department of Revenue to discuss the return with my paid preparer?
Yes. Check the authorization box near the signature area to allow the Department to discuss the return and its attachments with the paid preparer listed on the form.