Important Income Tax Due Dates

 

 

January

January 15

• Final estimated tax payment for the previous year.

January 31

• W-2 forms are due to employees.
• 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC forms are due to contractors and other recipients.
• Employers file a quarterly payroll return for the 4th quarter (Form 941).

February

Early February

• Employers file W-2s with the government.
• Businesses file 1099s with the IRS.

March

March 15

• Tax returns due for S Corporations and Partnerships.
• Deadline to file an extension for these business types.

April

April 15

• Personal income tax returns are due.
• Any balance owed must be paid.
• First estimated tax payment for the current year.
• Deadline to request an extension for personal returns.
• C Corporation tax returns due (calendar-year businesses).
• First quarter payroll tax deposits and filings may also be due, depending on your payroll schedule.

May

• No major federal income tax filing deadlines, but a common month for:
• Catching up on bookkeeping
• Reviewing estimated tax payments
• Fixing payroll issues from Q1

June

June 15

• Second estimated tax payment due.
• Deadline for U.S. citizens living abroad to file personal tax returns (interest still applies if taxes are owed).

July

July 31

• Employers file a quarterly payroll return for the 2nd quarter.

September

September 15

• Third estimated tax payment due.
• Extended deadline for S Corporations and Partnerships.

October

October 15

• Extended deadline for personal income tax returns.
• Deadline to recharacterize certain retirement contributions if corrections are needed.

November

No major filing deadlines, but important for:

• Year-end tax planning
• Reviewing profit and losses
• Adjusting estimated payments and withholding

December

December 31

Last day to:

• Make tax moves that count for the current year
• Sell investments for capital gains or losses
• Adjust payroll or bonuses
• Finalize business expenses

Important reminders

• Estimated taxes apply to self-employed individuals, freelancers, landlords, and many small business owners.
• Payroll tax deadlines can vary based on how often you deposit taxes.
• State tax deadlines may differ from federal dates.