Important Tax Filing Dates for 2026

Staying aware of tax deadlines helps you avoid penalties, interest, and last-minute stress. Below is a helpful overview of the most important federal and state tax filing dates for 2026, covering individual taxpayers, self-employed individuals, and businesses. These dates apply primarily to 2025 tax returns filed in 2026 and 2026 estimated tax payments.

Federal Tax Deadlines (IRS)

January 15, 2026
Final estimated tax payment for the 2025 tax year is due for individuals and self-employed taxpayers.

January 31, 2026
Employers must provide W-2 forms to employees and issue 1099-NEC forms to independent contractors.

March 16, 2026
Partnerships and S Corporations must file their federal tax returns or request an extension.

April 15, 2026 (Primary Tax Deadline)
This is the most important tax date of the year:

• Individual income tax returns are due
• C Corporation tax returns are due
• First quarter estimated tax payment for 2026 is due
• Deadline to request an automatic extension to fill (Note: Extensions give you more time to file, not more time to pay.)

June 15, 2026
Second quarter estimated tax payment for 2026 is due.

September 15, 2026
Third quarter estimated tax payment for 2026 is due. Extended deadline for Partnerships and S Corporations that filed for an extension.

October 15, 2026
Extended deadline to file individual and C Corporation tax returns (if an extension was filed).

December 15, 2026
Fourth quarter estimated tax payment due for corporations.

January 15, 2027
Final estimated tax payment for the 2026 tax year is due for individuals.

State Income Tax Deadlines

Most states follow the same deadlines as the IRS, but some states have unique rules.

April 15, 2026
In most states, state income tax returns and payments are due on the same date as federal returns.

State Estimated Tax Payments
In states with income tax, estimated payments are typically due:

• April 15, 2026
• June 15, 2026
• September 15, 2026
• January 15, 2027

States With Special Considerations

• Delaware
  Personal income tax returns are generally due April 30.
• California
  Filing deadlines generally match the federal schedule, but estimated tax payment dates differ slightly.
• New Jersey
  Taxpayers must pay most of the tax owed by April 15 to avoid penalties, even if an extension is filed.
• States With No Individual Income Tax
  Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming (Tennessee and New Hampshire no longer tax earned income.)

Important Reminders

• Filing extensions do not extend the time to pay taxes owed
• Some states require a separate state extension, even if a federal extension is filed
• Penalties and interest vary by state
• Local and city taxes may have different deadlines