U.S. · Tax forms
Form 1120 Schedule J line 12, total tax.
Schedule J, line 12 is not page 1, line 12. See how total tax is built and where it goes.
Schedule J, line 12 (“Total tax. Subtract the sum of lines 11b and 11c from 11a”) is entered on page 1, line 31. Do not confuse it with page 1, line 12, which is “Compensation of officers.”
Look up a Schedule J line
Result
How Schedule J line 12 is built, 2025 form
| Line | Meaning | What the IRS says |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1a | Income tax | Multiply taxable income (page 1, line 30) by 21% (0.21) |
| Line 2 | Total income tax | Add lines 1a through 1z |
| Line 3 | Corporate alternative minimum tax | From Form 4626, Part II, line 13 |
| Line 4 | Add lines 2 and 3 | Tax before credits |
| Line 6 | Total credits | Add lines 5a through 5f |
| Line 7 | Subtract line 6 from line 4 | Tax after credits |
| Line 11a | Total tax before deferred taxes | Add lines 7, 8 and 10 (line 8 personal holding company tax; line 10 other taxes) |
| Line 11b | Deferred tax on undistributed QEF earnings | See the Instructions for Form 8621, Part III |
| Line 11c | Deferred LIFO recapture tax | The part of the LIFO recapture tax that will be deferred and paid with Form 1120-S in the future |
| Line 12 | Total tax | Subtract the sum of lines 11b and 11c from 11a; enter here and on page 1, line 31 |
Page 1 line 12 versus Schedule J line 12
On page 1 of Form 1120, line 12 is “Compensation of officers (see instructions—attach Form 1125-E).” The total tax line is on Schedule J, and page 1, line 31 (“Total tax (Schedule J, line 12)”) is where it is carried.
Deferred taxes
The instructions for line 11 say to attach a statement showing the computation of each item. Line 11a also includes any deferred tax on the termination of a section 1294 election for a qualified electing fund. Line 11c is figured by comparing the tax with and without the LIFO recapture amount and multiplying the difference by 75% (0.75).
After line 12
Schedule J, line 19 totals payments (lines 13 through 18), line 21 refundable credits, and line 23 combines lines 19, 21, 22a and 22b and is entered on page 1, line 33. The amount owed or overpaid is then figured on page 1 lines 35 and 36.
Worked example
Granite Street Outfitters, Inc. (made up) has taxable income of $200,000. Line 1a is 0.21 × 200,000 = $42,000, which is also line 2. There is no alternative minimum tax, credit, personal holding company tax or other tax, so lines 4, 7 and 11a are $42,000, and with nothing on lines 11b and 11c, line 12 is $42,000. Names and figures are made up.
More line pages in this set
Related lines: Form 1120 Line 11, Form 1120 Line 26, Form 1120 Line 28, Form 1120 Line 29a, Form 1120 Line 30, Form 1120 Schedule J Line 17, Form 1120 Schedule J Line 18.
Sources
- Instructions for Form 1120 (2025): the line-by-line instructions on this page. Page last reviewed or updated April 30, 2026. Read November 2, 2026.
- Form 1120 (2025), U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return: the printed line wording and arithmetic on the form (Form 1120 (2025), created 9/26/25). Read November 2, 2026.
Tax year 2025 forms and instructions: Form 1120 (2025) and its 2025 instructions. Line numbers and labels were read from the IRS PDF and instructions on the date read and can change between tax years, so check them against the form for your year. Names in worked examples are made up.
Frequently asked questions
What is line 12 on Form 1120?
On page 1 it is Compensation of officers. On Schedule J, line 12 is Total tax, which is entered on page 1, line 31.
How is Schedule J line 12 figured?
Subtract the sum of lines 11b and 11c from line 11a. Line 11a adds lines 7, 8 and 10.
What is the corporate tax rate on Schedule J?
Line 1a multiplies taxable income (page 1, line 30) by 21% (0.21).
Where does line 12 go?
It is entered on Schedule J and on page 1, line 31, “Total tax (Schedule J, line 12).”
What are lines 11b and 11c?
Line 11b is deferred tax on the corporation’s share of undistributed earnings of a qualified electing fund; line 11c is deferred LIFO recapture tax.
Not tax advice
This page summarizes IRS instructions, mostly written for the people who prepare the form, and is not tax, legal or financial advice. A CPA or an enrolled agent can confirm what a line means for your return. Everything runs in your browser; nothing you enter is sent anywhere.