2026 Tax Calendar: Never Miss a Deadline
Stay on top of every important 2026 tax date. View filing deadlines, estimated payment due dates, and contribution limits—then add them directly to your calendar with one click.
Next Deadline
Q3 2026 Estimated Tax Due
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
17
days left
2026 Tax Calendar
Important US tax deadlines and reminders
Q4 2025 Estimated Tax Due
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Fourth quarter estimated tax payment for 2025 is due for self-employed individuals and those with other income not subject to withholding.
W-2 and 1099 Forms Due
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Employers must send W-2 forms to employees. Payers must send 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC forms to recipients.
Exempt W-4 Renewal
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Employees who claimed exemption from withholding in 2025 must submit a new W-4 to continue exemption in 2026.
S-Corp and Partnership Returns Due
Monday, March 16, 2026
Form 1120-S (S-Corporation) and Form 1065 (Partnership) returns are due, or file for extension.
Tax Day - Federal Filing Deadline
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Individual income tax returns (Form 1040) are due. Also the deadline for IRA and HSA contributions for 2025.
Q1 2026 Estimated Tax Due
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
First quarter estimated tax payment for 2026 is due.
IRA Contribution Deadline
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Last day to make IRA contributions for the 2025 tax year.
HSA Contribution Deadline
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Last day to make HSA contributions for the 2025 tax year.
Q2 2026 Estimated Tax Due
Monday, June 15, 2026
Second quarter estimated tax payment for 2026 is due.
Expat Filing Deadline
Monday, June 15, 2026
Tax filing deadline for U.S. citizens living abroad who received an automatic 2-month extension.
Q3 2026 Estimated Tax Due
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Third quarter estimated tax payment for 2026 is due.
S-Corp/Partnership Extended Returns Due
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Extended S-Corporation (Form 1120-S) and Partnership (Form 1065) returns are due.
Extended Tax Returns Due
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Individual income tax returns on extension (Form 1040) are due.
401(k) Contribution Deadline
Thursday, December 31, 2026
Last day to make 401(k), 403(b), and most employer retirement plan contributions for the 2026 tax year.
Required Minimum Distributions
Thursday, December 31, 2026
Deadline for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from retirement accounts for those age 73+.
Tax-Loss Harvesting Deadline
Thursday, December 31, 2026
Last day to sell investments at a loss to offset capital gains for the 2026 tax year.
How to Use This Calendar
The countdown at the top shows your next upcoming deadline with days remaining—this is your most urgent action item. Below, all deadlines are listed chronologically with color-coded badges indicating the type: Filing (document submission), Payment (money due), or Contribution (retirement account deposits).
Click "Add to Calendar" on any deadline to download an ICS file compatible with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook, and most calendar apps. We recommend adding all relevant deadlines at the start of the year, then setting your own advance reminders (1-2 weeks before) within your calendar app for adequate preparation time.
Understanding Tax Deadline Types
Different deadlines require different actions. Here's what each type means for you.
Filing Deadlines
These require submitting tax documents to the IRS. The main filing deadline is April 15 for individual returns. Missing a filing deadline triggers the failure-to-file penalty (5% per month on unpaid taxes). You can request an extension for more time to file, but not more time to pay.
Payment Deadlines
These require sending money to the IRS. Quarterly estimated payments apply to self-employed individuals and those with income not subject to withholding. Missing payment deadlines triggers the failure-to-pay penalty (0.5% per month) plus interest. Setting up direct debit can help avoid missing payments.
Contribution Deadlines
These are the last dates to make contributions that count toward a specific tax year. IRA contributions for 2025 must be made by April 15, 2026. There's no penalty for missing these—you simply lose the opportunity to contribute for that tax year. Planning ahead ensures you maximize tax-advantaged savings.
2026 Key Dates Quick Reference
Tips for Staying on Track
Add All Deadlines Now
Don't wait until deadlines approach. Download all relevant dates to your calendar at the start of the year. Set reminder alerts 2 weeks and 1 week before each deadline.
Know Your Penalty Risk
If you owe taxes, prioritize payment over filing. The failure-to-file penalty (5%/month) is 10x higher than failure-to-pay (0.5%/month). File an extension if needed, but pay what you can.
Set Up Quarterly Payments Early
If you're self-employed, set up IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS to schedule payments in advance. This eliminates the risk of forgetting and incurring underpayment penalties.
Maximize Last-Minute Contributions
IRA and HSA contributions for the previous year can be made until April 15. If you have extra funds at tax time, contributing can reduce your current year's tax bill.
When Should You Use This Calendar?
Reference this calendar at the start of each year to download all relevant deadlines to your personal calendar. Check back whenever you're unsure about an upcoming date or need to verify when a payment or filing is due.
Self-employed individuals should bookmark this page and check it quarterly before each estimated payment deadline. W-2 employees mainly need to track the April filing deadline and contribution deadlines for IRAs and HSAs.
To calculate how much you'll owe or receive, use our Paycheck Calculator for regular income or the Comparison Tool to evaluate tax scenarios. This calendar tells you when—those tools tell you how much.
Related Salary & Pay Tools
Explore our suite of free financial calculators designed to help you understand your earnings, compare opportunities, and plan your finances with confidence.
Paycheck Calculator
Calculate your net pay after federal and state taxes, Social Security, and Medicare deductions for any pay frequency.
Reverse Salary Calculator
Know your target take-home? Enter your desired net pay and calculate the gross salary you need to earn.
Take Home + Budget Planner
Calculate your take-home pay and plan your monthly budget with allocation sliders for housing, savings, and more.
Hourly to Salary Converter
Convert hourly wage to annual salary in seconds. Includes daily, weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly breakdowns.
Salary to Hourly Converter
Find your true hourly rate from annual salary. See all period breakdowns with estimated after-tax pay.
Compare Take-Home by State
Compare two job offers or states side by side. See the real difference in take-home pay between locations.
Learn More
View all articlesUnderstand the concepts behind the calculations with our in-depth guides.
Important Tax Dates for Employees in 2026
Key tax deadlines every employee should know about.
Why Your Paycheck Changes: Common Reasons
Understand why your take-home pay varies from paycheck to paycheck.
Paycheck Calculator: The Complete Guide
Everything about how your paycheck is calculated, from taxes to deductions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Important Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates only and should not be considered financial or tax advice. Actual amounts may vary based on your specific situation, employer policies, and current tax laws. For personalized advice, please consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor.