Important Tax Dates and Deadlines in 2026

Updated for tax year 2025.

Get ready to mark these important dates on your calendar. Here are the most important tax deadlines and due dates for taxpayers in 2026 — and answers to some common tax questions.

Key tax deadlines

What are the tax deadlines for 2026?

Depending on your tax situation and what kind of filer you are, there are different tax dates to be aware of. Below are the important tax dates and deadlines for individual filers, including those who are retired, an employee, or self-employed.

Tax Tip: Estimate your potential income taxes using our income tax calculator before filing.

Jan. 15, 2026 – Fourth quarter estimated tax payments due for 2025 for self-employed individuals or those with other income without tax withholding.

Late January 2026 – The estimated launch of tax season 2025. The IRS has not yet announced an official tax year 2025 start date, but the agency typically starts accepting and processing income tax returns in late January.

Jan. 31, 2026:

Deadline for employers to send W-2 forms: Employers must send W-2 tax forms no later than this date (you still might receive yours in early February).

Deadline to send certain 1099 tax documents: This is also the deadline to send certain 1099 tax forms, including Form 1099-NEC, which reports self-employment income from side hustles or freelance work. You might also receive a Form 1099-MISC if you received income from interest or dividends, rents, royalties, or prize winnings.

Feb. 17, 2026 – Deadline to reclaim your exemption from withholding. This applies if you claim an exemption from your employer withholding taxes from your paycheck on your Form W-4. To remain exempt from withholding, you must give your employer a new Form W-4 by this date every year.

April 1, 2026 – Due date to take the 2025 required minimum distribution from your retirement account if you turned 73 during the previous year (2025).

April 15, 2026:

Tax Day tax filing deadline: The deadline to file or e-file your individual federal income tax return.

Deadline for most state tax returns, though there are some exceptions for certain states.

Deadline to request a tax extension by filing Form 4868 and to pay any taxes due from tax year 2025 (even if you are requesting an extension).

Deadline to make HSA and IRA contributions for tax year 2025.

Estimated tax payments due for the first quarter of 2026.

June 15, 2026 – Second quarter estimated tax payments due for 2026.

Sept. 15, 2026 – Third quarter estimated tax payments due for 2026.

Oct. 15, 2026 – Extended deadline to file your 2025 income tax return if you requested a tax extension.

Dec. 31, 2026 – Due date to take the 2026 required minimum distribution from your retirement plan for those 73 and older.

Jan. 15, 2027 – Fourth quarter estimated tax payments due for 2026.

Business tax deadlines

When are business taxes due?

Small business owners — including those who own partnerships, corporations, and certain LLCs — have some unique tax due dates to remember. The list below doesn’t cover every business tax deadline, but we’ve included some of the most important ones to remember.

Jan. 15, 2026 – Fourth quarter estimated tax payments due for 2025.

Jan. 31, 2026:

Deadline to send Form W-2 to your employees.

Deadline to send certain 1099 forms such as Form 1099-NEC or Form 1099-K.

March 16, 2026:

Taxes due for partnerships, S corporations, or multi-member LLCs taxed as partnerships. This is the due date for calendar year business filers. If your business uses a fiscal year instead, your tax due date is the 15th day of the third month after the close of your tax year. For example, if your business’s fiscal year is June 1 to May 31, your business tax return due date would be Aug. 15 — three months and 15 days after May 31.

Deadline to request a tax extension for partnerships, S corps, and LLCs taxed as partnerships.

Deadline to file Form 2553 to switch your business election to an S corp for tax year 2026.

April 15, 2026:

Taxes due for C corporations, sole proprietors, single-member LLCs, and LLCs taxed as corporations. If your business uses a fiscal tax year, you must file your business tax return by the 15th day of the third month after the end of your tax year.

Deadline to request a tax extension for C corps, sole proprietors, single-member LLCs, and LLCs taxed as corporations.

May 15, 2026 – Tax returns due for tax-exempt nonprofits that follow a calendar year tax period.

June 15, 2026 – Second quarter estimated tax payments due for 2026.

Sept. 15, 2026:

Third quarter estimated tax payments due for 2026.

Extended tax deadline for partnerships and S corps that filed a tax extension.

Oct. 15, 2026 – Extended tax deadline for C corps, sole proprietors, and certain LLCs that filed a tax extension.

Nov. 16, 2026 – Extended tax deadline for tax-exempt nonprofits that follow a calendar year tax period.

Jan. 15, 2027 – Fourth quarter estimated tax payments due for 2026.

If you’d like a complete picture of all the 2026 tax calendar due dates, check out IRS Publication 509 (if the publication is not updated for 2026 yet, check back soon!).

2026 tax due date FAQs

In 2026, Tax Day falls on April 15. This is the deadline for filing your taxes as a calendar year filer. The April 15 deadline applies to:

• Traditional employees who receive a W-2• Self-employed sole proprietors, including freelancers, independent contractors, or gig workers (Schedule C)• Retirees• Multi-member LLCs• Corporate returns (Form 1120)

When are business taxes due?

There are two exceptions to the April 15 tax deadline. Partnerships (Form 1065) and S corporations (Form 1120-S) must file their business returns by March 16, 2026. The deadline is typically March 15, which falls on a weekend in 2026.

Remember that corporations and multi-member LLCs must file by April 15, just like individuals.

Why is Tax Day 2026 on April 15?

The tax due date is typically April 15 unless that day falls on a weekend or a holiday. In that case, Tax Day is usually pushed back to the next business day.

What time are taxes due on the 15th?

You must file your 2025 taxes by 11:59 p.m. on April 15, 2026. This is the last day to file and pay without penalty unless you request a tax extension. Once the clock strikes midnight, you risk potential late fees and late filing penalties. If you need more time to file, you must request an extension.

Do you have to have your taxes done by April 15?

If you can’t file your income tax return by the deadline this year, you can give yourself more time by requesting an automatic tax extension. You can do this when e-filing with TaxAct® by filing IRS Form 4868 before the tax deadline. Our software walks you through the electronic filing process, helps you claim relevant tax deductions and tax credits, and assists you in filing any state extension forms, if necessary.

Can I request an extension for my business return?

Yes. If you need more time to file your business tax return, you can request a six-month extension. Partnerships, multi-member LLCs, and corporations can file an extension using IRS Form 7004. Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs will use Form 4868, just like individuals. Tax-exempt nonprofits must request a tax extension using Form 8868.

When e-filing with TaxAct, you can request an extension using either Form 7004, 4868, or 8868. Just make sure you file for an extension before the tax deadline. If you don’t file for an extension before the Tax Day due date, you risk being charged late fees and penalties.

When are taxes due with an extension?

Once you’ve filed for a tax extension, you will have until Oct. 15, 2026, to complete and file your 2025 federal tax return. Like Tax Day, the extension deadline is typically Oct. 15 unless the 15th falls on a weekend or legal holiday.

Since partnerships and S corps have an earlier tax filing due date (March 16), they also have an earlier extension due date. This year’s extended tax deadline for partnerships and S corps is Sept. 15, 2026.

Tax Tip: Filing an automatic tax extension only gives you more time to file. It does not give you more time to pay your tax bill. When you request an extension, you can estimate and pay any tax liability for 2025. However, if you expect a tax refund and don’t anticipate owing any taxes, you should be in the clear.

Does the IRS allow tax payment plans?

Yes, if you cannot pay your tax bill all at once, you can set up an IRS payment plan. Keep in mind that the IRS may charge a fee for setting up a payment plan. They may also charge interest on your unpaid balance until it is paid in full. To minimize the amount of interest and fees you owe, try to pay off your tax bill as quickly as possible.

When is the W-2 deadline?

As an employer, your deadline for sending out W-2s is Jan. 31, 2026. This means employees should expect to receive their Form W-2 by mid-February 2026.

The deadlines for filing 1099 forms can vary based on the type of 1099 form and filing method. Generally, the paper filing due date for most 1099 forms is Feb. 28, while the e-filing deadline is typically March 31. Check out our Guide to Form 1099 for a complete list of e-filing and paper due dates for all 1099 forms.

When are quarterly taxes due?

April 15 is also the payment deadline for first quarter estimated tax payments. This due date applies to those with little or no income tax withheld from their wages, such as freelancers, small business owners, and investors.

The quarterly tax due dates for 2026 are as follows:

Due DatePayment PeriodQuarterly PaymentJan. 15, 2026Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, 20252025 Q4 paymentsApril 15, 2026Jan. 1 to March 31, 20262026 Q1 paymentsJune 15, 2026April 1 to May 31, 20262026 Q2 paymentsSept. 15, 2026June 1 to Aug. 31, 20262026 Q3 paymentsJan. 15, 2027Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, 20262026 Q4 payments

The bottom line

To stay on top of your tax responsibilities for 2026, make sure you’re aware of all the key dates and deadlines that apply to you or your business. Proper tax planning will help you avoid late fees, penalties, and added stress.

Need help with your tax preparation this filing season? No sweat — whether you’re filing as an individual or a business, head to taxact.com, and we’ll help you get started.

This article is for informational purposes only and not legal or financial advice.

All TaxAct offers, products and services are subject to applicable terms and conditions.

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