US Tax DeadlineCountdown
Live countdowns to every major IRS deadline — Tax Day, quarterly estimated payments, W-2 deadlines, and more. Built for freelancers, self-employed individuals, and business owners.
📋 Annual Filing
Tax Day — Annual Return Due
File Form 1040 for tax year 2025
Even if you can't pay, file on time to avoid the failure-to-file penalty (5% per month, up to 25%).
Extension Deadline
Extended deadline to file 2025 return
An extension gives you more time to FILE — not more time to PAY. Taxes owed are still due April 15.
💰 Quarterly Payments
Q1 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2026
Pay online via IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS to avoid a 0.5% monthly underpayment penalty.
Q2 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Apr 1 – May 31, 2026
Q2 covers only 2 months (April–May), not the full quarter.
Q3 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Jun 1 – Aug 31, 2026
If Sep 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.
Q4 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2026
You can skip Q4 estimated payment if you file your 2026 tax return and pay all tax owed by Jan 31, 2027.
📄 Employer Deadlines
W-2 & 1099 Forms Due
Employers must send income forms to employees
Contact your employer if you haven't received your W-2 by early February.
🏦 Retirement
IRA Contribution Deadline
Last day to contribute to IRA for tax year 2025
You can contribute up to $7,000 ($8,000 if age 50+) for tax year 2025 until April 15, 2026.
🏢 Business Returns
Partnership & S-Corp Returns Due
File Form 1065 or 1120-S for tax year 2025
Partners and S-Corp shareholders need their Schedule K-1 before filing personal returns.
C-Corporation Return Due
File Form 1120 for tax year 2025
C-Corps with fiscal years ending other than Dec 31 have different deadlines.
📋 Annual Filing
Tax Day — Annual Return Due
File Form 1040 for tax year 2026
Even if you can't pay, file on time to avoid the failure-to-file penalty (5% per month, up to 25%).
Extension Deadline
Extended deadline to file 2026 return
An extension gives you more time to FILE — not more time to PAY. Taxes owed are still due April 15.
💰 Quarterly Payments
Q1 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2027
Pay online via IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS to avoid a 0.5% monthly underpayment penalty.
Q2 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Apr 1 – May 31, 2027
Q2 covers only 2 months (April–May), not the full quarter.
Q3 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Jun 1 – Aug 31, 2027
If Sep 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.
Q4 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2027
You can skip Q4 estimated payment if you file your 2027 tax return and pay all tax owed by Jan 31, 2028.
📄 Employer Deadlines
W-2 & 1099 Forms Due
Employers must send income forms to employees
Contact your employer if you haven't received your W-2 by early February.
🏦 Retirement
IRA Contribution Deadline
Last day to contribute to IRA for tax year 2026
You can contribute up to $7,000 ($8,000 if age 50+) for tax year 2026 until April 15, 2027.
🏢 Business Returns
Partnership & S-Corp Returns Due
File Form 1065 or 1120-S for tax year 2026
Partners and S-Corp shareholders need their Schedule K-1 before filing personal returns.
C-Corporation Return Due
File Form 1120 for tax year 2026
C-Corps with fiscal years ending other than Dec 31 have different deadlines.
📋 Annual Filing
Tax Day — Annual Return Due
File Form 1040 for tax year 2027
Even if you can't pay, file on time to avoid the failure-to-file penalty (5% per month, up to 25%).
Extension Deadline
Extended deadline to file 2027 return
An extension gives you more time to FILE — not more time to PAY. Taxes owed are still due April 15.
💰 Quarterly Payments
Q1 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2028
Pay online via IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS to avoid a 0.5% monthly underpayment penalty.
Q2 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Apr 1 – May 31, 2028
Q2 covers only 2 months (April–May), not the full quarter.
Q3 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Jun 1 – Aug 31, 2028
If Sep 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.
Q4 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2028
You can skip Q4 estimated payment if you file your 2028 tax return and pay all tax owed by Jan 31, 2029.
📄 Employer Deadlines
W-2 & 1099 Forms Due
Employers must send income forms to employees
Contact your employer if you haven't received your W-2 by early February.
🏦 Retirement
IRA Contribution Deadline
Last day to contribute to IRA for tax year 2027
You can contribute up to $7,000 ($8,000 if age 50+) for tax year 2027 until April 15, 2028.
🏢 Business Returns
Partnership & S-Corp Returns Due
File Form 1065 or 1120-S for tax year 2027
Partners and S-Corp shareholders need their Schedule K-1 before filing personal returns.
C-Corporation Return Due
File Form 1120 for tax year 2027
C-Corps with fiscal years ending other than Dec 31 have different deadlines.
📋 Annual Filing
Tax Day — Annual Return Due
File Form 1040 for tax year 2028
Even if you can't pay, file on time to avoid the failure-to-file penalty (5% per month, up to 25%).
Extension Deadline
Extended deadline to file 2028 return
An extension gives you more time to FILE — not more time to PAY. Taxes owed are still due April 15.
💰 Quarterly Payments
Q1 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2029
Pay online via IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS to avoid a 0.5% monthly underpayment penalty.
Q2 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Apr 1 – May 31, 2029
Q2 covers only 2 months (April–May), not the full quarter.
Q3 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Jun 1 – Aug 31, 2029
If Sep 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.
Q4 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2029
You can skip Q4 estimated payment if you file your 2029 tax return and pay all tax owed by Jan 31, 2030.
📄 Employer Deadlines
W-2 & 1099 Forms Due
Employers must send income forms to employees
Contact your employer if you haven't received your W-2 by early February.
🏦 Retirement
IRA Contribution Deadline
Last day to contribute to IRA for tax year 2028
You can contribute up to $7,000 ($8,000 if age 50+) for tax year 2028 until April 15, 2029.
🏢 Business Returns
Partnership & S-Corp Returns Due
File Form 1065 or 1120-S for tax year 2028
Partners and S-Corp shareholders need their Schedule K-1 before filing personal returns.
C-Corporation Return Due
File Form 1120 for tax year 2028
C-Corps with fiscal years ending other than Dec 31 have different deadlines.
📋 Annual Filing
Tax Day — Annual Return Due
File Form 1040 for tax year 2029
Even if you can't pay, file on time to avoid the failure-to-file penalty (5% per month, up to 25%).
Extension Deadline
Extended deadline to file 2029 return
An extension gives you more time to FILE — not more time to PAY. Taxes owed are still due April 15.
💰 Quarterly Payments
Q1 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2030
Pay online via IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS to avoid a 0.5% monthly underpayment penalty.
Q2 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Apr 1 – May 31, 2030
Q2 covers only 2 months (April–May), not the full quarter.
Q3 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Jun 1 – Aug 31, 2030
If Sep 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.
Q4 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2030
You can skip Q4 estimated payment if you file your 2030 tax return and pay all tax owed by Jan 31, 2031.
📄 Employer Deadlines
W-2 & 1099 Forms Due
Employers must send income forms to employees
Contact your employer if you haven't received your W-2 by early February.
🏦 Retirement
IRA Contribution Deadline
Last day to contribute to IRA for tax year 2029
You can contribute up to $7,000 ($8,000 if age 50+) for tax year 2029 until April 15, 2030.
🏢 Business Returns
Partnership & S-Corp Returns Due
File Form 1065 or 1120-S for tax year 2029
Partners and S-Corp shareholders need their Schedule K-1 before filing personal returns.
C-Corporation Return Due
File Form 1120 for tax year 2029
C-Corps with fiscal years ending other than Dec 31 have different deadlines.
📋 Annual Filing
Tax Day — Annual Return Due
File Form 1040 for tax year 2030
Even if you can't pay, file on time to avoid the failure-to-file penalty (5% per month, up to 25%).
Extension Deadline
Extended deadline to file 2030 return
An extension gives you more time to FILE — not more time to PAY. Taxes owed are still due April 15.
💰 Quarterly Payments
Q1 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2031
Pay online via IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS to avoid a 0.5% monthly underpayment penalty.
Q2 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Apr 1 – May 31, 2031
Q2 covers only 2 months (April–May), not the full quarter.
Q3 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Jun 1 – Aug 31, 2031
If Sep 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.
Q4 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2031
You can skip Q4 estimated payment if you file your 2031 tax return and pay all tax owed by Jan 31, 2032.
📄 Employer Deadlines
W-2 & 1099 Forms Due
Employers must send income forms to employees
Contact your employer if you haven't received your W-2 by early February.
🏦 Retirement
IRA Contribution Deadline
Last day to contribute to IRA for tax year 2030
You can contribute up to $7,000 ($8,000 if age 50+) for tax year 2030 until April 15, 2031.
🏢 Business Returns
Partnership & S-Corp Returns Due
File Form 1065 or 1120-S for tax year 2030
Partners and S-Corp shareholders need their Schedule K-1 before filing personal returns.
C-Corporation Return Due
File Form 1120 for tax year 2030
C-Corps with fiscal years ending other than Dec 31 have different deadlines.
📋 Annual Filing
Tax Day — Annual Return Due
File Form 1040 for tax year 2031
Even if you can't pay, file on time to avoid the failure-to-file penalty (5% per month, up to 25%).
Extension Deadline
Extended deadline to file 2031 return
An extension gives you more time to FILE — not more time to PAY. Taxes owed are still due April 15.
💰 Quarterly Payments
Q1 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2032
Pay online via IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS to avoid a 0.5% monthly underpayment penalty.
Q2 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Apr 1 – May 31, 2032
Q2 covers only 2 months (April–May), not the full quarter.
Q3 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Jun 1 – Aug 31, 2032
If Sep 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.
Q4 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2032
You can skip Q4 estimated payment if you file your 2032 tax return and pay all tax owed by Jan 31, 2033.
📄 Employer Deadlines
W-2 & 1099 Forms Due
Employers must send income forms to employees
Contact your employer if you haven't received your W-2 by early February.
🏦 Retirement
IRA Contribution Deadline
Last day to contribute to IRA for tax year 2031
You can contribute up to $7,000 ($8,000 if age 50+) for tax year 2031 until April 15, 2032.
🏢 Business Returns
Partnership & S-Corp Returns Due
File Form 1065 or 1120-S for tax year 2031
Partners and S-Corp shareholders need their Schedule K-1 before filing personal returns.
C-Corporation Return Due
File Form 1120 for tax year 2031
C-Corps with fiscal years ending other than Dec 31 have different deadlines.
📋 Annual Filing
Tax Day — Annual Return Due
File Form 1040 for tax year 2032
Even if you can't pay, file on time to avoid the failure-to-file penalty (5% per month, up to 25%).
Extension Deadline
Extended deadline to file 2032 return
An extension gives you more time to FILE — not more time to PAY. Taxes owed are still due April 15.
💰 Quarterly Payments
Q1 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2033
Pay online via IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS to avoid a 0.5% monthly underpayment penalty.
Q2 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Apr 1 – May 31, 2033
Q2 covers only 2 months (April–May), not the full quarter.
Q3 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Jun 1 – Aug 31, 2033
If Sep 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.
Q4 Estimated Tax Payment
Income earned Sep 1 – Dec 31, 2033
You can skip Q4 estimated payment if you file your 2033 tax return and pay all tax owed by Jan 31, 2034.
📄 Employer Deadlines
W-2 & 1099 Forms Due
Employers must send income forms to employees
Contact your employer if you haven't received your W-2 by early February.
🏦 Retirement
IRA Contribution Deadline
Last day to contribute to IRA for tax year 2032
You can contribute up to $7,000 ($8,000 if age 50+) for tax year 2032 until April 15, 2033.
🏢 Business Returns
Partnership & S-Corp Returns Due
File Form 1065 or 1120-S for tax year 2032
Partners and S-Corp shareholders need their Schedule K-1 before filing personal returns.
C-Corporation Return Due
File Form 1120 for tax year 2032
C-Corps with fiscal years ending other than Dec 31 have different deadlines.
📊 2026 Estimated Tax Payment Schedule
⚠️ Note: Q2 covers only 2 months (April–May), not 3. This is an IRS quirk — the due dates are set by statute, not by equal quarter lengths.
👤Who Needs to Pay Estimated Taxes?
✅ You probably DO need to pay if you are:
- Self-employed or a freelancer
- A gig worker (Uber, DoorDash, Upwork, etc.)
- An investor with capital gains or dividends
- A landlord with rental income
- A sole proprietor or single-member LLC owner
- A partner in a partnership or S-Corp shareholder
- Someone who expects to owe $1,000+ this year
❌ You likely do NOT need to pay if you:
- Are a W-2 employee with sufficient withholding
- Expect to owe less than $1,000 in total tax
- Had zero tax liability last year
- Will have 90% of this year's tax withheld by employer
- Will have 100% of last year's tax withheld (110% if AGI over $150K)
❓Frequently Asked Questions
When is Tax Day 2026?
Tax Day 2026 isApril 15, 2026. This is the deadline to file your federal income tax return (Form 1040) for the 2025 tax year, or to request a 6-month extension using Form 4868.
What happens if I miss a quarterly estimated tax payment?
The IRS charges anunderpayment penalty— currently around 8% annually on the amount you underpaid, calculated from the due date to when you actually paid. You won't go to jail, but the penalty adds up. Pay as soon as possible to minimize it.
Does a tax extension give me more time to pay?
No.A tax extension (Form 4868) only gives you more time tofileyour return — until October 15. Any taxes owed are still due on April 15. If you pay late, the IRS charges interest (currently ~8% per year) plus a failure-to-pay penalty of 0.5% per month.
How much should I pay for quarterly estimated taxes?
You can use thesafe harbor ruleto avoid penalties: pay either (a) 90% of what you'll owe this year, or (b) 100% of what you owed last year — whichever is smaller. If your adjusted gross income (AGI) was over $150,000 last year, use 110% of last year's tax instead.
What is the penalty for filing taxes late?
Thefailure-to-file penaltyis 5% of unpaid taxes per month (or partial month), up to a maximum of 25%. Thefailure-to-pay penaltyis 0.5% per month, up to 25%. If you're owed a refund, there's no penalty for filing late — but you have only 3 years to claim your refund.
Where do I pay estimated taxes online?
The IRS offers two free online payment systems:IRS Direct Pay(irs.gov/directpay) for bank transfers, andEFTPS(eftps.gov) for scheduled payments. Both are free. You can also pay via the IRS2Go mobile app or by check mailed with Form 1040-ES.