When is “tax day”?
The big “tax day” is April 15, 2021. That’s when personal federal tax returns and corporate tax returns are due (before midnight). It’s also when your first estimated tax payment is due, and most state tax returns (see the April 15 deadline below for more details).
What’s the deadline to pay your taxes?
If you’re self-employed, your business probably pays taxes in four sums throughout the year, rather than on one day. These are called estimated tax payments. The due date for these payments is April 15, June 17, September 16, and January 15 (2021).
What’s the penalty for late payment? Past your tax due date, you’ll have to pay an additional 0.5% of unpaid taxes every month until you pay your original tax bill (up to a maximum 25% of your total tax bill).
When are 2021 tax extensions due?
You have right up until tax day to file for an extension. For individuals, that means you can still file for a tax extension right on April 15. The same goes for businesses: S corps and partnerships can still get an extension on March 16, and the last day for C corps to file for an extension is April 15.
Read on for a detailed list of every tax deadline in 2021.
January 15, 2021
Estimated quarterly payments
Say a final goodbye to 2020. The fourth (and final) estimated quarterly tax payment for the previous tax year is due today.
Note: Individuals, you do not have to file this payment due on January 15, 2021—so long as you file your 2020 tax return by January 31, 2021 and pay the remaining balance owed with your return (see Form 1040-ES for details).
Forms: Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals
February 1, 2021
Form W-2 filing deadline
If you have employees, you will need to fill out two copies of Form W-2 for each one.
One W-2 must be submitted to the IRS. The other must be sent to the employee. The deadline for both is on or before February 1, 2021.
Forms: Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement
Form 1099-NEC filing deadline
If you work with independent contractors, use Form 1099-NEC. If you have filed Form 1099-MISC in the past and reported amounts in Box 7, then beginning in 2020, use Form 1099-NEC. On or before February 1, 2021 is the filing deadline for both paper and electronic filing to the IRS and the postmark and/or electronic transmission to recipients.
Forms: Form 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation
Form 1099-MISC (no data in Box 8 or 14) filing deadline
If you do not have data in Box 8 or 14, this is the deadline for the postmark and/or electronic transmission of Copy B to the recipients.
If you have amounts in Box 8 or 14, the deadline for the postmark and/or electronic transmission of Copy B to the recipients is February 15.
Forms: Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Information
February 15, 2021
Form 1099-MISC (data included in Box 8 or 14) Copy B filing deadline
If you have data in Box 8 or 14, this is the deadline for the postmark and/or electronic transmission of Copy B to the recipients.
Forms: Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Information
March 1, 2021
Form 1099-MISC
This is the paper deadline for filing 1099-MISC Copy A with the IRS. See February 1 and February 15 deadlines for sending Copy B above.
Forms: Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Information
March 15, 2021
S corporation and partnership tax returns due
Today is the deadline to file your S corporation tax return (Form 1120-S) or Partnership return (Form 1065).
Note that S corporations and Partnerships do not pay taxes on their income. That tax is paid on the individual incomes of the shareholders or partners, respectively.
March 16 is also the deadline to file for an extension for S corp and partnership tax returns.
Forms: Form 1120S, Income Tax Return for an S Corporation
Form 1065, US Return of Partnership Income
March 31, 2021
Form 1099-MISC
This is the electronic deadline for filing 1099-MISC Copy A with the IRS. See February 1 and February 15 deadlines for sending Copy B above.
Forms: Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Information
April 15, 2021
Estimated quarterly payments
So it begins. If your business pays taxes on a quarterly basis, the first 2021 estimated quarterly tax payment is due today.
Forms: Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals (Payment Voucher 1)
Individual tax returns due
Today is the deadline to file Individual tax returns (Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ). If you income is below $66,000 for the tax year, you can e-file for free using IRS Free File. If your income was above that, you can use the IRS’ free, fillable forms.
If you’re a sole proprietor filing Schedule C on your personal tax returns, the April 15, 2019 deadline applies to you too.
April 15 is also the deadline to file for an extension to file your individual tax return.
Corporation tax returns due
Today is the deadline to file Corporation tax returns (Form 1120).
April 15 is also the deadline to file for an extension to file your corporate tax return.
Forms: Form 1120, U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return
Form 7004, Application for an Automatic Extension of Time
State tax returns
Most state tax returns are also due on April 15.
Exceptions to the rule:
• Alaska (no state income tax)
• Delaware (April 30)
• Florida (no state income tax)
• Hawaii (April 22)
• Iowa (April 30)
• Maine (April 17)
• Massachusetts (April 17)
• Nevada (no state income tax)
• Oklahoma (April 20)
• South Carolina (May 1)
• Texas (no state income tax)
• Virginia (May 1)
• Wyoming (no state income statement)
June 15, 2021
Estimated quarterly payments
The second 2021 estimated quarterly tax payment is due today.
Forms: Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals (Payment Voucher 2)
September 15, 2021
Estimated quarterly payments
The third 2021 estimated quarterly tax payment is due today.
Forms: Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals (Payment Voucher 3)
November 1, 2021
Start making tax moves
End of year tax moves can help grow your business and reduce your taxable income for the year. If you haven’t done so already, now’s the time to plan and take action.
December 31, 2021
Tax moves deadline
Today is the final day to make any tax moves for the 2021 tax year.
Set up a solo 401 (k)
If you are self-employed, today is the deadline to set up a solo 401 (k).
When can I start filing taxes for 2022?
You can start filing next year’s tax return on January 1, 2022.
When will I get my tax refund?
In 2018, 9 out of 10 e-filers received their refund less than 21 calendar days after their return was received by the IRS.
That’s not an IRS promise or anything. But in general, you can expect to get your tax refund 3-4 weeks after filing your return.
