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Public Service Company Tax Return Form

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State of Hawaii — Department of Taxation
Form U-6 Public Service Company Tax Return

Calendar Year 2015

(Based on income for calendar year 2014 or fiscal year beginning on and ending )

(Note: Do NOT use Form U-6 to calculate and/or remit the counties’ share of the public service company tax.)

Name

DBA (if any)

Address (number and street)

City, State, and Postal/ZIP Code

Date Business Began in Hawaii

Hawaii Tax I.D. No.

Federal Employer I.D. No.

Amount paid with this return
$

TOTAL TAX (from page 2; Do Not enter TAX DUE amount)
$

Check if:

SECTION I - COMPUTATION OF ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME

GROSS INCOME FROM PRECEDING TAXABLE YEAR BEGINNING IN 2014

1 Gross Income from Public Utility Business (describe fully from what sources received)

a (1) Passenger Fares for Transportation Between Points on a Scheduled Route By Land
$

(2) Worthless Accounts Charged Off for Net Income Tax Purposes (see Instructions)
$

(3) Adjusted Gross Income (line 1a(1) minus line 1a(2))
$

b (1) Sales of Products or Services to Another Public Utility for Resale to the Consumer
$

(2) Worthless Accounts Charged Off for Net Income Tax Purposes (see Instructions)
$

(3) Adjusted Gross Income (line 1b(1) minus line 1b(2))
$

c (1) Sales of Telecommunication Services to a Person Defined in Section 237-13(6)(D), HRS, for Resale to the Consumer
$

(2) Worthless Accounts Charged Off for Net Income Tax Purposes (see Instructions)
$

(3) Adjusted Gross Income (line 1c(1) minus line 1c(2))
$

d (1)
$

(2) Worthless Accounts Charged Off for Net Income Tax Purposes (see Instructions)
$

(3) Adjusted Gross Income (line 1d(1) minus line 1d(2))
$

2 Equipment Rentals Received (attach schedule and describe fully)

3 Joint Facility Rentals Received

4 Non-Operating Income from Public Utility Business (attach schedule and describe fully)

5 TOTAL ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME (add lines 1 through 4)
$

DECLARATION

I declare, under the penalties set forth in section 231-36, HRS, that this return (including any accompanying schedules or statements) has been examined by me and, to the best of my knowledge and belief is a true, correct, and complete return, made in good faith, for the taxable year stated, pursuant to the Public Service Company Tax Law, Chapter 239, HRS.

Signature of officer

Date

Title

Paid Preparer’s Information

Preparer’s Signature and Print Preparer’s Name

Firm’s name (or yours if self-employed)

Address, and Postal/Zip Code

Date

Check if self-employed

Preparer’s identification number

Phone No.

SECTION II — COMPUTATION OF TAX

Line references are to lines on page 1. Note: Enter TOTAL TAX amount on page 1.

PART I. — FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES TAXED UNDER SECTION 239-5 (a), (b) and (c), HRS.

A Line 5 less lines 1a(3), 1b(3), and 1c(3) x 4.0% (fixed rate). TAX AMOUNT

B Line 1a(3) x 5.35% (fixed rate). TAX AMOUNT

C Line 1b(3) x .5% (fixed rate). TAX AMOUNT

D Line 1c(3) x .5% TAX AMOUNT

E TOTAL TAX (add lines A, B, C, and D)

F Nonrefundable Tax Credit - Credit for Lifeline Telephone Service Subsidy

G Balance (line E minus line F, but not less than zero)

H Payment with Extension (attach Form N-755)

I Tax Installment Payments

J Total Payments (add lines H and I)

K TAX DUE (if line G is larger than J), enter AMOUNT OWED

L OVERPAYMENT (if line J is larger than line G), enter AMOUNT OVERPAID

PART II. — FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES TAXED ONLY UNDER SECTION 239-5(b), HRS.

A TOTAL TAX (line 1a(3) x 5.35% fixed rate)

B Payment with Extension (attach Form N-755)

C Tax Installment Payments

D Total Payments (add lines B and C)

E TAX DUE (if line A is larger than line D), enter AMOUNT OWED

F OVERPAYMENT (if line D is larger than line A), enter AMOUNT OVERPAID

PART III. — FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES TAXED ONLY UNDER SECTION 239-5(c), HRS.

A Line 1b(3) x .5% (fixed rate). TAX AMOUNT

B Line 1c(3) x .5% TAX AMOUNT

C TOTAL TAX (add lines A and B)

D Payment with Extension (attach Form N-755)

E Tax Installment Payments

F Total Payments (add lines D and E)

G TAX DUE (if line C is larger than line F), enter AMOUNT OWED

H OVERPAYMENT (if line F is larger than line C), enter AMOUNT OVERPAID

Enter text✕

What the Public Service Company Tax Return Form Is

The Public Service Company Tax Return Form is a specialized state or federal filing used by utilities and regulated public service companies to report revenue, tax liabilities, and industry-specific adjustments. It consolidates financial totals, jurisdictional allocations, and regulatory assessments required for franchise, gross-receipts, or utility-specific taxes. Proper completion ensures accurate tax calculation, supports regulatory audits, and documents credits or surcharges unique to public service operations. The form often interfaces with annual financial statements and may require attachments showing allocation formulas, depreciation schedules, or regulatory pass-throughs.

Why Accurate Completion Matters

Filing a complete and accurate Public Service Company Tax Return Form reduces audit exposure, avoids late-filing penalties, and ensures regulatory compliance with tax authorities and public utilities commissions.

Why Accurate Completion Matters

Which Organizations and Roles Typically Handle This Form

The form is primarily used by investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, and other regulated public service companies and their finance teams.

  • Utility finance teams that prepare regulatory and tax filings for transmission, distribution, or service revenues.
  • Corporate tax departments and controller offices responsible for state franchise and gross-receipts tax reporting.
  • Tax counsel and external CPA firms engaged for allocation methodology and audit support.

External advisors, including tax counsel and accountants, often review or sign-off before submission to state or federal agencies.

Step-by-step: Filling Out the Form

Follow a consistent sequence: gather records, complete numeric schedules, verify allocations, obtain approvals, then file electronically or by mail.

  • 01
    Gather Records: Collect trial balance, revenue detail, and regulatory adjustments.
  • 02
    Populate Schedules: Enter totals, allocations, and supporting line-item adjustments.
  • 03
    Validate Data: Reconcile to general ledger and regulatory reports.
  • 04
    Approve & File: Obtain signatures and submit to the taxing authority.

Recommended digital workflow settings

Configure a repeatable e-filing workflow to ensure consistent routing, authentication, and record retention for every tax return cycle.

Field Configuration
Signer Order Sequential routing: preparer → manager → CFO
Authentication Email plus SMS code or ID verification for external signers
Attachments Require supporting worksheets as mandatory uploads
Notifications Auto-notify preparer on completion and export

Typical eSubmission flow for electronic returns

Electronic submission follows a clear sequence that preserves an audit trail and creates a reproducible record for tax authorities and internal controls.

  • Prepare: Populate form and attach schedules.
  • Authenticate: Signers confirm identity via email or MFA.
  • Sign: Authorized officer signs and dates.
  • Submit: Transmit to the agency and archive receipt.

Key filing deadlines and timing expectations

Deadlines vary by return type and jurisdiction. Below are common federal and form-related deadlines that affect similar tax filings and information returns.

W-9 / TIN requests:

Provide upon request; no fixed IRS filing deadline.

Form 1099-NEC:

Recipient and IRS due Jan 31 each year for nonemployee compensation.

Form 1099-MISC:

Recipient due Jan 31; IRS paper due Feb 28, electronic due Mar 31.

Individual return (1040):

Due April 15; extension to Oct 15 if Form 4868 filed.

FBAR (FinCEN 114):

Due April 15 with automatic extension to Oct 15.

Processing milestones from preparation to compliance

Track the filing lifecycle as discrete stages to manage approvals, validations, agency submission, and post-filing audits.

01

Preparation

Assemble books, reconcile balances, and draft schedules.

02

Internal Review

Manager and tax counsel verify allocations and methodology.

03

Approval & Signature

Authorized officer signs and certifies accuracy.

04

Submission & Archive

File with agency and retain certified copies.

Common pitfalls to avoid

  • Using preliminary or unaudited revenue figures that later change, triggering amended filings and potential penalties.
  • Failing to attach required allocation worksheets, which often prompts agency requests and delays in processing.
  • Entering inconsistent entity names or FEINs across schedules, causing reconciliation failures and possible backup withholding.
  • Relying on manual calculations without cross-checks, increasing the risk of arithmetic errors and interest accrual.

Penalties and regulatory risks

Late information returns: IRC §6721: $60–$330 per form
Intentional disregard: IRC §6721: $660+ per form
Incorrect TIN: Backup withholding may apply: 24% rate
Audit exposure: Adjustments can trigger interest and penalties
Regulatory fines: Public utilities commissions may levy fines
Recordkeeping failure: Penalty risk under state statutes

Essential data elements to collect

Company Name: Legal entity
FEIN: Nine-digit identifier
Tax Period: Reporting year
Total Revenue: Gross receipts
Allocation Basis: Method used
Authorized Signer: Name and title

eSignature vendor pricing and capability snapshot

Compare baseline pricing and common plan capabilities for high-volume tax and compliance workflows; signNow is listed first per vendor comparison rules.

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Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
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Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Real-world completion scenarios

These two examples illustrate typical situations where precise completion and supporting schedules matter for regulated entities.

Municipal Utility Example

A municipal utility compiles gross receipts across service territories and applies a state allocation formula.

  • The allocation reduced taxable base in higher-tax counties.
  • Detailed supporting worksheets and commission reports prevented a proposed assessment during review and shortened the audit period by eliminating open questions.

Investor-owned Utility Example

An investor-owned utility adjusted depreciation methods between book and tax schedules to match regulatory filings.

  • The adjustment impacted taxable income and credits.
  • Clear documentation and an attorney-signed memorandum supported the position in subsequent regulatory rate proceedings without requiring amended returns.

Practical tips for accurate, efficient completion

Implement controls and reuseable templates to reduce manual errors and accelerate future filings.

Standardized templates and checklists
Maintain a master filing checklist that lists required schedules, attachments, and signers. Using a standardized template prevents omission of jurisdiction-specific questions and ensures consistent data placement across years.
Reconcile to financial statements
Before signing, reconcile return totals to the general ledger and audited financials. Discrepancies should be documented, explained, and, if material, adjusted or disclosed to avoid audit adjustments.
Pre-file review by tax counsel
Have tax counsel or an experienced CPA review allocation methods and unusual items. Early review can identify exposure and reduce the need for costly amendments or audit defenses.
Version control and archival
Keep versioned working files, sign-off logs, and the final submitted copy in a secure archive with retention tags. Good version control simplifies audits and supports statutory retention compliance.

Technical requirements for e-sign and e-filing platforms

Choose a platform that supports required file formats, authentication strength, and integrations used by your finance systems.

  • File formats: PDF, DOCX, Excel supported
  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft 365
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, KBA, SSO

Frequently asked questions and troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about acceptance, signature validity, and correcting or revoking filed returns.


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