The 2025 tax year is now underway, but several important deadlines from the 2024 tax season are still ahead. Staying on top of both years is crucial, since missed dates could result in penalties or delayed refunds.
Below is a clear list of the key tax filing deadlines you’ll need to keep in mind for both your 2024 and 2025 taxes.
📌 Also read: Tax Extensions: Filing, Rules, & Deadlines for 2024 & 2025
The Carry Guide to Paying Less in Taxes
A complete guide to the biggest tax-saving strategies for US business owners, freelancers, self-employed individuals, and side hustlers.
2024 Tax Year
When Are Taxes Due for the 2024 Tax Year?
The federal tax filing deadline for the 2024 tax year was April 15, 2025. This was also the final day to request a six-month extension.
📝 Note: The federal deadline typically falls on April 15 each year. If the date lands on a weekend or federal holiday, it moves to the next business day.
Filing Deadlines by Method
✅ Paper return – Considered on time if it was mailed by April 15, 2025 to the correct address, with sufficient postage, and a postmark dated by the deadline.
✅ Electronic return – Considered on time if it was submitted electronically by April 15, 2025, using your local time zone.
📌 Also read: Tax Brackets and Federal Income Tax Rates
What If I Requested an Extension?
If you filed Form 4868 by April 15, 2025, your new filing deadline is October 16, 2025.
An extension applies only to filing, not payment. Any taxes owed were still due on April 15, 2025. Unpaid balances may accrue interest and penalties.
What If I Don’t Know the Exact Amount to Pay?
You can make an estimated payment. As long as you pay at least 90% of your actual tax liability, the IRS may waive penalties and interest.
What Happens If I Miss the Deadline?
Missing the filing deadline without an extension may lead to penalties and interest.
❌ The late-filing penalty is typically 5% of the unpaid tax per month, up to a maximum of 25%.
❌ Interest accrues on unpaid amounts until the full amount is paid.
❌ Refunds may be forfeited if a tax return is not filed within 3 years of the original deadline.
2024 Tax Year Deadlines for Individuals
| Deadlines | What’s Due? | Details |
| Dec 31, 2024 | Deadline to file an election for Solo 401k | If you want to make a contribution to your Solo 401k for the 2024 tax year, you must file an election by December 31, 2024. Note: Under the SECURE Act §201, employer plans may be adopted as late as the tax-return due date (with extension) but the plan must exist by Dec 31, 2024 to make employee-deferrals. |
| Jan 16, 2025 | Deadline for Q4 estimated tax payment | If you’re self-employed and make quarterly estimated tax payments, this is the due date for your 2024 final quarterly payment using Form 1040-ES. |
| Jan 31, 2025 | Deadline for employers to send out W-2 forms | Employers are required to send out W-2 forms to employees by January 31. |
| Jan 31, 2025 | Deadline for several 1099 forms | The 1099 form and several different versions of the form must be sent by January 31. |
| Feb 15, 2025 | Deadline to reclaim exemptions from withholding | If you filed a Form W-4 last year, and would like to file an exemption request, the deadline is February 15. |
| Apr 1, 2025 | Deadline to take first RMD payment | If you turned 73 years old in 2024, you would need to take your first required minimum distribution (RMD) by April 3, this year. |
| Apr 15, 2025 | Federal tax filing deadline | Individuals must file Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR (for seniors) and pay any taxes due by the federal tax filing deadline. |
| Apr 15, 2025 | Deadline to make Solo 401k contributions | After filing your Solo 401k election by December 31 of last year, you must make the contribution into your account by April 15. Note: Contributions may be made up to Oct 16 2025 with extension. |
| Apr 15, 2025 | Deadline to file Form 4868 and request an extension | The federal tax filing deadline is also the last day to file Form 4868. If you cannot file by this date, you must file for an extension instead, which would give you an additional 6 months – until October 16, 2025. |
| Apr 15, 2025 | Deadline to make IRA and HSA contributions | The federal tax filing deadline is the last day you can make contributions to your IRA or HSA for 2024. |
| Apr 15, 2025 | Q1 2025 estimated tax payments due | If you make estimated tax payments, April 15 is the deadline for making your Q1 estimated tax payment using Form 1040-ES. |
| Jun 16, 2025 | Q2 2025 estimated tax payments due | If you make estimated tax payments, the Q2 deadline is usually June 15. Since June 15, 2025, falls on a Sunday, the due date shifts to Monday, June 16. You can pay using Form 1040-ES. |
| Sep 15, 2025 | Q3 2025 estimated tax payments due | If you make estimated tax payments, September 15 is the deadline for making your Q3 estimated tax payment using Form 1040-ES. |
| Oct 16, 2025 | Deadline to file extended tax returns | If you filed for an extension for your 2024 tax return, the extended deadline date is October 16. |
| Dec 31, 2025 | Deadline to take your regular RMD | If you’re over 73 years old, after your first RMD, all future RMD payments must be taken by December 31 of each year. If you turn 73 years of age in 2024, you have until April 1, 2025 to take your first RMD. |
| Jan 15, 2026 | Q4 2025 estimated tax payments due | If you make estimated tax payments, January 15, 2025 is the deadline for making your final Q4 estimated tax payment for 2024 using Form 1040-ES. |
2024 Tax Year Deadlines for Businesses
| Deadlines | What’s Due? | Details |
| Dec 31, 2024 | Deadline to file an election for Solo 401k | If you want to make a contribution to your Solo 401k for the 2024 tax year, you must file an election by December 31, 2024. |
| Jan 16, 2025 | Deadline for Q4 estimated tax payment | If your business makes quarterly estimated tax payments, this is the due date for your 2024 final quarterly payment using Form 1040-ES. |
| Jan 31, 2025 | Deadline for employers to send out W-2 forms | Employers are required to send out W-2 forms to employees by January 31. |
| Jan 31, 2025 | Deadline for several 1099 forms | The 1099 form and several different versions of the form must be sent by January 31. |
| Mar 15, 2025 | Taxes due for partnerships, multi-member LLCs, and S-corps | If your business structure is a partnership, multi-member LLC, or S-corp, you must file Form 1065 or 1120S by March 15 if you use the calendar year. If your business uses a fiscal year, your return is due by the 15th day of the third month after the end of your fiscal year. |
| Apr 15, 2025 | Taxes due for C-corps | If your business structure is a C-corp, you must file Form 1120 by April 15 if you use the calendar year. If your business uses a fiscal year, your return is due by the 15th day of the third month after the end of your fiscal year. |
| Apr 15, 2025 | Q1 2025 estimated tax payments due | If your business makes estimated tax payments, April 15 is the deadline for making your Q1 estimated tax payment using Form 1040-ES. |
| Jun 15, 2025 | Q2 2025 estimated tax payments due | If your business makes estimated tax payments, June 15 is the deadline for making your Q2 estimated tax payment using Form 1040-ES. |
| Sep 15, 2025 | Q3 2025 estimated tax payments due | If your business makes estimated tax payments, September 15 is the deadline for making your Q3 estimated tax payment using Form 1040-ES. |
| Sep 15, 2025 | Deadline to file extended tax returns (for partnerships and S-corps) | If your business structure is a partnership or S-corp, and you filed for an extension for your 2024 tax return, the extended deadline date is September 15. |
| Oct 16, 2025 | Deadline to file extended contribution deadline for SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, and Solo 401k | If you filed for a six-month extension for your Solo 401k contribution deadline, this is the last day to make your final contribution to these plans. |
| Oct 16, 2025 | Deadline to file extended tax returns (for C-corps) | If your business structure is a C-corp, and you filed for an extension for your 2024 tax return, the extended deadline date is October 16. |
| Dec 31, 2025 | Deadline to file your Solo 401k election | If you want to make contributions to your Solo 401k for 2024, you would need to file an election by December 31. |
| Jan 15, 2026 | Q4 2024 estimated tax payments due | If your business makes estimated tax payments, January 15, 2026 is the deadline for making your final Q4 estimated tax payment for 2025. |
2025 Tax Year
When Are Taxes Due for the 2025 Tax Year?
The federal tax filing deadline for the 2025 tax year is April 15, 2026. This is also the final day to request a six-month extension.
Filing Deadlines by Method
✅ Paper return – Considered on time if mailed by April 15, 2026, with the correct address, sufficient postage, and a postmark by the deadline.
✅ Electronic return – Considered on time if submitted electronically by April 15, 2026, using your local time zone.
What If I Request an Extension?
If you file Form 4868 by April 15, 2026, your extended filing deadline is October 15, 2026.
📝 Note: An extension applies only to filing, not payment. Any tax owed must still be paid by April 15, 2026. Balances unpaid after this date may accrue interest and penalties.
2025 Tax Year Deadlines for Individuals
| Deadlines | What’s Due? | Details |
| Dec 31, 2025 | Deadline to file an election for Solo 401k | If you want to make a contribution to your Solo 401k for the 2025 tax year, you must open your account (if you don’t already have one) and file an election by December 31, 2025. |
| Jan 16, 2026 | Deadline for Q4 estimated tax payment | If you’re self-employed and make quarterly estimated tax payments, this is the due date for your 2025 final quarterly payment. Use Form 1040-ES. |
| Jan 31, 2026 | Deadline for employers to send out W-2 forms | Employers are required to send out W-2 forms to employees by January 31. |
| Jan 31, 2026 | Deadline for several 1099 forms | The 1099 form and several different versions of the form must be sent by January 31. |
| Feb 15, 2026 | Deadline to reclaim exemptions from withholding | If you filed a Form W-4 last year, and would like to file an exemption request, you must file a new Form W-4 by February 15 to continue your exemption for another year. |
| Apr 1, 2026 | Deadline to take first RMD payment | If you turned 73 years old in 2025, you would need to take your first required minimum distribution (RMD) by April 1, this year. |
| Apr 15, 2026 | Federal tax filing deadline | Individuals must file Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR (for seniors) and pay any taxes due by the federal tax filing deadline. |
| Apr 15, 2026 | Deadline to make Solo 401k contributions | After filing your election by December 31 of last year, you must make the contribution into your account by April 15. |
| Apr 15, 2026 | Deadline to file Form 4868 and request an extension | The federal tax filing deadline is also the last day to file Form 4868. If you cannot file by this date, you must file for an extension instead, which would give you an additional 6 months – until October 15, 2026. |
| Apr 15, 2026 | Deadline to make IRA and HSA contributions | The federal tax filing deadline is the last day you can make contributions to your IRA or HSA for 2025. |
| Apr 15, 2026 | Q1 2024 estimated tax payments due | If you make estimated tax payments, April 15 is the deadline for making your Q1 estimated tax payment using Form 1040-ES. |
| Jun 17, 2026 | Q2 2024 estimated tax payments due | If you make estimated tax payments, June 17 is the deadline for making your Q2 estimated tax payment using Form 1040-ES. |
| Sep 16, 2026 | Q3 2024 estimated tax payments due | If you make estimated tax payments, September 16 is the deadline for making your Q3 estimated tax payment using Form 1040-ES. |
| Oct 15, 2026 | Deadline to file extended tax returns | If you filed for an extension to return your Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR (for seniors) for your 2025 tax return, the extended deadline date is October 15, 2026. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Deadline to take your regular RMD | If you’re over 73 years old, after your first RMD, all future RMD payments must be taken by December 31 of each year. If you turn 73 years of age in 2025, you have until April 1, 2026 to take your first RMD. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Q4 2024 estimated tax payments due | If you make estimated tax payments, January 15, 2027 is the deadline for making your final Q4 estimated tax payment for 2026. |
2025 Tax Year Deadlines for Businesses
| Deadlines | What’s Due? | Details |
| Dec 31, 2025 | Deadline to file an election for Solo 401k | If you want to make a contribution to your Solo 401k for the 2025 tax year, you must open your Solo 401k plan (if you don’t already have one) and file an election by December 31, 2025. |
| Jan 16, 2026 | Deadline for Q4 estimated tax payment | If your business makes quarterly estimated tax payments, this is the due date for your 2025 final quarterly payment using Form 1040-ES. |
| Jan 31, 2026 | Deadline for employers to send out W-2 forms | Employers are required to send out W-2 forms to employees by January 31. |
| Jan 31, 2026 | Deadline for several 1099 forms | The 1099 form and several different versions of the form must be sent by January 31. |
| Mar 15, 2026 | Taxes due for partnerships, multi-member LLCs, and S-corps | If your business structure is a partnership, multi-member LLC, or S-corp, you must file Form 1065 or 1120S by March 15 if you use the calendar year. If your business uses a fiscal year, your return is due by the 15th day of the third month after the end of your fiscal year. |
| Apr 15, 2026 | Taxes due for C-corps | If your business structure is a C-corp, you must file Form 1120 by April 15 if you use the calendar year. If your business uses a fiscal year, your return is due by the 15th day of the third month after the end of your fiscal year. |
| Apr 15, 2026 | Q1 2025 estimated tax payments due | If your business makes estimated tax payments, April 15 is the deadline for making your Q1 estimated tax payment using Form 1040-ES. |
| Jun 17, 2026 | Q2 2025 estimated tax payments due | If your business makes estimated tax payments, June 17 is the deadline for making your Q2 estimated tax payment using Form 1040-ES. |
| Sep 16, 2026 | Q3 2025 estimated tax payments due | If your business makes estimated tax payments, September 16 is the deadline for making your Q3 estimated tax payment using Form 1040-ES. |
| Sep 16, 2026 | Deadline to file extended tax returns (for partnerships and S-corps) | If your business structure is a partnership or S-corp, and you filed for an extension for your 2024 tax return, the extended deadline date is September 16. |
| Oct 15, 2026 | Deadline to file extended contribution deadline for SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, and Solo 401k | If you filed for a six-month extension for your Solo 401k contribution deadline, this is the last day to make your final contribution to these plans. |
| Oct 15, 2026 | Deadline to file extended tax returns (for C-corps) | If your business structure is a C-corp, and you filed for an extension for your 2024 tax return, the extended deadline date is October 15. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Deadline to file your Solo 401k election | If you want to make contributions to your Solo 401k for 2026, you would need to file an election by December 31. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Q4 2025 estimated tax payments due | If your business makes estimated tax payments, January 15, 2027 is the deadline for making your final Q4 estimated tax payment for 2026 using Form 1040-ES. |
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