Whether you're an early bird or enjoy the adrenaline rush of a last-minute race to the finish line, there's a question that unites us all: "When are taxes due this year?" Here's a cheat sheet for all the important deadlines this year — from the last day to file your federal income tax return to due dates for estimated tax payments.
When are taxes due this year?
The deadline to file a federal income tax return is Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Americans living abroad have until June 15, 2026, to file, but any taxes owed are still due by the regular deadline.
The date and time in your time zone when your electronic return is transmitted determines whether it is on time. For paper filers, the IRS will consider your return on time if it is properly addressed, has enough postage, and is put in the mail and postmarked by the due date. For e-filers, the deadline is April 15 by 11:59 p.m. local time.
Certain people may receive extra time to file and pay their federal taxes, including those impacted by natural disasters (check if your state is affected here). If you live in one of the counties that were given a federal extension, keep in mind that your state return due date may or may not mirror your new federal deadline — check with your state's revenue department for more detailed information.
Heads-up! The IRS is phasing out checks. We’ve long recommended having your refund deposited into a bank account when possible — it’s faster, safer and more efficient than a paper check. This tax season, there’s even more reason to do so: As the IRS phases out the use of paper checks, filers who don’t choose direct deposit may face delays or receive their refund on a prepaid debit card or via another payment method.
When are state taxes due in 2026?
State income tax deadlines typically mirror the federal tax deadline, but some exceptions exist. Nine states do not have a state-level income tax, so filers in those states generally only have federal tax return obligations.
» Curious about your state income taxes? Check your state's tax rate here
Other key 2026 tax deadlines
- January 9, 2026: Free File opens. The IRS partners with brand-name software companies to provide taxpayers who make below a certain income access to free tax-prep and filing software. The Free File program opens and begins holding returns on Jan. 9.
- January 15, 2026: Estimated tax payments due for the fourth quarter. This is the last day to pay estimated taxes for income earned Sept. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025. This generally applies to self-employed workers and taxpayers whose withholding does not cover enough of their tax liability. (Learn more about how estimated tax payments work.)
- January 26, 2026: Tax filing season begins. The IRS begins processing federal tax returns for the 2025 tax year on this date. Note that if you apply for certain credits, like the earned income tax credit or additional child tax credit, the agency may not issue your refund until at least March 3 — no matter how early you file.
- February 2, 2026: Form W-2 deadline. Employers must mail or furnish W-2 forms to employees who worked for them in 2025 by this date. Typically, employers must send out W-2s by Jan. 31, but since that date falls on a Saturday in 2026, the deadline is pushed to the next business day.
- February 2, 2026: 1099 deadlines. The IRS requires that certain information returns, such as the 1099-NEC, 1099-K and 1099-INT, be issued or mailed by this date. Similar to the W-2 form, since the usual Jan. 31 due date falls on a Saturday in 2026, the deadline will be pushed to the next business day. If you earned interest income or did freelance work in 2025, you might receive one of these forms.
- February 17, 2026: Form W-4 deadline for tax-exempt status. If you were exempt from tax withholding in 2025, this is the deadline to file a new Form W-4 with your employer if you intend to reclaim the exemption for 2026.
- February 17, 2026: 1099 deadlines (continued). Another set of 1099 deadlines: Informational returns like 1099-Bs (for income earned from the sale of certain securities) and certain 1099-MISC forms must be sent to recipients by this date. The IRS has more details about information returns here.
- April 15, 2026: Tax Day. This is the last day to file your taxes with the IRS before penalties and interest may begin to accrue. The tax deadline is generally the same each year unless it falls on a weekend or holiday.
- April 15, 2026: Tax extension deadline. Tax Day is also the last day to file for a tax extension. An extension gives you more time to submit your return, not pay your taxes. Even if you submit a request for an extension, you must pay your taxes owed by April 15.
- April 15, 2026: HSA and IRA contribution deadline. The last day to make contributions to your health savings account or a Roth/traditional individual retirement account for tax year 2025. The limit for HSA contributions in 2025 is $4,300 for individuals and $8,550 for families. The contribution limit for IRAs in 2025 is $7,000 ($8,000 if you’re 50 or older).
- April 15, 2026: Estimated taxes due for the first quarter. Estimated tax payments on income earned during the first quarter of the year (Jan. 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026) are due this day.
- June 15, 2026: Estimated taxes due for the second quarter. Estimated tax payments on income earned during the second quarter of the year (April 1, 2026, through May 31, 2026) are due this day.
- June 15, 2026: Tax deadline for Americans living abroad. Taxpayers who live or work outside of the U.S. are granted an automatic two-month extension from April to file on time. However, any tax owed would still be due by April 15.
- September 15, 2026: Estimated taxes due for the third quarter. Estimated tax payments on income earned during the third quarter of the year (June 1, 2026, through Aug. 31, 2026) are due this day.
- October 15, 2026: Tax extension deadline. Filing for an extension by April 15 gives you until Oct. 15 to finalize your returns. If you miss this deadline, your return is considered late by the IRS, and penalties will begin to pile on.
- October 15, 2026: SEP IRA, simple IRA and solo 401(k) contribution deadline. Those who have established any of the self-employment retirement plans listed above and who timely filed for an extension in April have until Oct. 15 to make a final contribution to these plans for the 2025 tax year.
- December 31, 2026: 401(k) contributions deadline. If you contribute to an employer-sponsored retirement plan like a traditional or Roth 401(k), Dec. 31 is typically the last day to make a qualified contribution. For 2026, the most you can contribute is $24,500 if you're under 50, $32,500 if you’re 50 or older, and $35,750 if you're age 60 to 63.
- December 31, 2026: RMD deadline. If you’re required to take RMDs, you must do so by the last day of the year.
- December 31, 2026: Charitable donations deadline. If you itemize deductions and want to donate to charity to reduce your taxable income, this is the last day to do so for the 2026 tax year.
AD
Owe $10,000+ or More? This Tax Season Could Be Your Chance to QualifyEach year the IRS writes off millions in tax debt, yet few have applied.
on Anthem Tax Services' website
AD
Owing the IRS Over $10K Is More Common Than You ThinkDiscover tax resolution options customized to your case, backed by a 100% Resolution Money Back Guarantee.
on TaxRise's website
AD
Owe $10,000+ or More? This Tax Season Could Be Your Chance to QualifyEach year the IRS writes off millions in tax debt, yet few have applied.
on Anthem Tax Services' website
AD
Owe $10,000+ in IRS Back Taxes? Get Trusted Tax Help TodayBBB Accredited, $500M+ tax debt resolved, free consultation.
on Alleviate Tax's website
What should you do if you miss the tax deadline?
The deadline to file a tax extension — which moves your filing due date from April 15 to Oct. 15 — is Tax Day. If you secure one on time, remember that tax extensions move the filing due date, not the payment deadline. Even if you got an extension, a good estimate of your tax bill is still due by the regular deadline.
If you don't secure an extension in time, owe taxes, and file your return late, penalties and interest will begin to accrue. The IRS encourages you to pay an estimate of what you owe as soon as possible to limit your fees. If you can't pay your tax bill in full, pay what you can and consider setting up an installment plan.
If you're due a refund, there's no penalty for filing your return late, but consider filing as soon as possible to get your money back sooner. And remember that although you might not be hit with a penalty for filing late, you very likely still need to file a return. The IRS has a strict definition of who has to file a tax return based on annual income and other factors.
Explore more on
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.Internal Revenue Service. Topic No. 301, When, How, and Where to File. Accessed Dec 11, 2025.
- 2.Internal Revenue Service. IRS To Phase Out Paper Tax Refund Checks Starting With Individual Taxpayers.
