Many think there’s plenty of time to file taxes, but missing a deadline can cause more than just late fees. Not filing on time not only brings penalties but also adds interest on those taxes, doubling the cost. This raises the question, “When do you have to file taxes?” The key to avoiding these additional fees and other hidden pitfalls is understanding your deadlines.
For example, unclaimed refunds disappear from the IRS account after three years, leaving you with no way to recover them. This is one of the things many people don’t realize.
But there’s a silver lining. You can stop it from happening if you’re aware of IRS timelines. Protect your money and reduce the unnecessary stress of these penalties and interest accumulation.
Read along to know when do you need to file taxes, the most overlooked deadlines, which can give you more than you can expect, and learn how to stay ahead of time.
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General Tax Calendar (2024)
The general tax deadlines are listed in the below table, but if you are an employee who pays excise tax, check the Employer’s Tax Calendar and Excise Tax Calendar section. You might need some deadline adjustments if you follow the fiscal year calendar instead of a normal calendar.
Let’s read in detail when do you have to file taxes:
First Quarter (January – March)
| Date | For Whom | Action Required |
| January 10 | Employees who earn tips | Report tips of $20 or more from December to the employer using Form 4070. |
| January 16 | Individuals | Make the final estimated tax payment for 2023 using Form 1040-ES. |
| January 16 | Farmers and Fishermen | File a tax return by this date if no estimated payment was made to avoid penalties. |
| January 31 | Individuals | File your tax return and pay any remaining tax by this date to avoid a late payment penalty. |
| January 31 | All Businesses | Send out Form 1099 to recipients of certain payments made in 2023. |
| January 31 | Payers of Nonemployee Compensation | File Form 1099-NEC for nonemployee compensation paid in 2023. |
| February 12 | Employees who earn tips | Report tips of $20 or more from January to the employer using Form 4070. |
| February 15 | Individuals | File new Form W-4 by this date to continue exemption for 2024 if claimed tax exemption in 2023. |
| February 15 | All Businesses | Send out Form 1099-B and Form 1099-S for payments made in 2023. |
| February 28 | All Businesses | File 2023 Form 1099 returns with the IRS (except Form 1099-NEC). |
| March 1 | Farmers and Fishermen | File the 2023 tax return and pay any taxes owed if no estimated payment was made. |
| March 11 | Employees who earn tips | Report tips of $20 or more from February to the employer using Form 4070. |
| March 15 | Partnerships | File Form 1065 and give each partner their Schedule K-1 for 2023. |
| March 15 | S Corporations | File Form 1120-S and give each shareholder their Schedule K-1 for 2023. |
Second Quarter (April – June)
| Date | For Whom | Action Required |
| April 1 | Electronic Filers | File your Form 1099 electronically with the IRS for 2023 (except Form 1099-NEC). |
| April 10 | Employees who earn tips | Report tips of $20 or more from March to the employer using Form 4070. |
| April 15 | Individuals | File your 2023 Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR and pay any taxes owed. File Form 4868 for a 6-month extension if needed. |
| April 15 | Household Employers | File Schedule H with your tax return if you paid $2,600 or more to a household employee in 2023. |
| April 15 | Corporations | File your 2023 tax return using Form 1120 and pay any taxes owed. File Form 7004 for a 6-month extension if needed. |
| May 10 | Employees who earn tips | Report tips of $20 or more from April to the employer using Form 4070. |
| June 10 | Employees who earn tips | Report tips of $20 or more from May to the employer using Form 4070. |
| June 17 | Individuals Abroad | File your 2023 tax return and pay any taxes owed if you live and work outside the U.S. File Form 4868 for more time. |
| June 17 | Individuals | Pay the second installment of your 2024 estimated tax using Form 1040-ES. |
| June 17 | Corporations | Pay the second installment of your 2024 estimated taxes. |
Third Quarter (July – September)
| Date | For Whom | Action Required |
| July 10 | Employees who earn tips | Report tips of $20 or more from June to the employer using Form 4070. |
| August 12 | Employees who earn tips | Report tips of $20 or more from July to the employer using Form 4070. |
| September 10 | Employees who earn tips | Report tips of $20 or more from August to the employer using Form 4070. |
| September 16 | Individuals | Pay the third installment of your 2024 estimated tax using Form 1040-ES. |
| September 16 | Partnerships | File Form 1065 if you requested a 6-month extension in March. Provide partners with their final Schedule K-1. |
| September 16 | S Corporations | File Form 1120-S if you requested a 6-month extension in March. Provide shareholders with their final Schedule K-1. |
| September 16 | Corporations | Pay the third installment of your 2024 estimated taxes. |
Fourth Quarter (October – December)
| Date | For Whom | Action Required |
| October 10 | Employees who earn tips | Report tips of $20 or more from September to the employer using Form 4070. |
| October 15 | Individuals | If you filed for an extension, file your 2023 tax return and pay any taxes owed by this date. |
| October 15 | Corporations | File your 2023 tax return if you filed for an extension earlier this year. |
| November 12 | Employees who earn tips | Report tips of $20 or more from October to the employer using Form 4070. |
| December 10 | Employees who earn tips | Report tips of $20 or more from November to the employer using Form 4070. |
| December 16 | Corporations | Pay the fourth installment of your 2024 estimated tax. |
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Fiscal-Year Taxpayers
If you use a fiscal year instead of the calendar year for your taxes, some deadlines in this calendar will be different for you. Here’s a guide on how to adjust those dates:
| Entity Type | Form/Requirement | Due Date | Additional Info |
| Individuals | Form 1040 or 1040-SR | 15th day of the 4th month after tax year-end | Use Form 4868 to request an extension if needed |
| Individuals | Estimated Tax Payments (Form 1040-ES) | 15th day of the 4th, 6th, 9th, and 1st month after fiscal year-end | |
| Partnerships | Form 1065 | 15th day of the 3rd month after fiscal year-end | Provide each partner with Schedule K-1 or K-3 |
| Partnerships | Form 7004 (Extension for Partnerships) | 6-month extension from the original deadline | |
| Corporations | Form 1120 (Regular Corporations) | 15th day of the 4th month after fiscal year-end | Use Form 7004 to request a 6-month extension |
| Corporations | Form 1120 (June 30 Fiscal Year) | 15th day of the 3rd month after fiscal year-end | 7-month extension if the fiscal year ends June 30 |
| Corporations | Estimated Tax Payments for Corporations | 15th day of the 4th, 6th, 9th, and 12th months of fiscal year | |
| Corporations | Form 2553 (S Corporation Election) | Within 2 months and 15 days after the start of the fiscal year | Or anytime during the previous tax year for election to take effect |
| S Corporations | Form 1120-S | 15th day of the 3rd month after fiscal year-end | Provide each shareholder with Schedule K-1 or K-3 |
| S Corporations | Form 7004 (Extension for S Corporations) | 6-month extension from the original deadline | Use Form 7004 to request a 6-month extension |
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Employer’s Tax Calendar (2024)
This calendar assists employers in keeping track of important tax dates for:
- Withholding income tax from employee wages and other payments.
- Managing Social Security, Medicare (FICA), and employer’s share of these taxes.
- Federal Unemployment (FUTA) tax obligations. Refer to Publication 15 for detailed deposit guidelines.
First Quarter (January – March)
| Date | Tax Responsibility | Action Required |
| January 16 | Social Security, Medicare, and Income Tax | Deposit taxes for December payments under the monthly rule. |
| January 31 | All Employers | Provide Form W-2 for 2023 to employees. |
| January 31 | All Employers | File Form W-3 with Social Security Administration with W-2s. |
| January 31 | All Employers | File Form 1099-NEC for non-employee compensation. |
| January 31 | All Employers | File Form 945 for non-payroll items like pensions, and gambling winnings. |
| January 31 | All Employers | File Form 941 for Q4 of 2023. |
| January 31 | All Employers | File Form 943 for agricultural employees. |
| January 31 | All Employers | File Form 940 for 2023 and pay any FUTA tax owed. |
| February 12 | Social Security, Medicare, Non-Payroll Taxes | If taxes were deposited timely, file Form 945, Form 941, and Form 943. |
| February 15 | Social Security, Medicare, and Income Tax | Deposit taxes for January payments under the monthly rule. |
| February 16 | All Employers | Start withholding tax from employees claiming exemption in 2023 but without a new Form W-4 for 2024. |
| February 28 | All Employers | File Form 1096 with Form W-2G for gambling winnings. |
| February 28 | All Employers | File Forms 1094-C and 1095-C (paper) with IRS for large employers. |
| March 15 | Social Security, Medicare, and Income Tax | Deposit taxes for February payments under the monthly rule. |
Second Quarter (April – June)
| Date | Tax Responsibility | Action Required |
| April 1 | Electronic filers | File Form W-2G for gambling winnings electronically. |
| April 1 | Electronic filers | File electronic Forms 1094-C and 1095-C for health coverage. |
| April 15 | Social Security, Medicare, Income Tax | Deposit taxes for March payments under the monthly rule. |
| April 15 | Household employers | File Schedule H if you paid $2,600 or more in 2023. |
| April 30 | Social Security, Medicare, Income Tax | File Form 941 for the first quarter of 2024. |
| April 30 | Federal Unemployment (FUTA) | Deposit FUTA tax owed through March if more than $500. |
| May 10 | Social Security, Medicare, Income Tax | File Form 941 for the first quarter if taxes were deposited on time. |
| May 15 | Social Security, Medicare, Income Tax | Deposit taxes for April payments under the monthly rule. |
| June 17 | Social Security, Medicare, Income Tax | Deposit taxes for May payments under the monthly rule. |
Third Quarter (July – September)
| Date | Tax Responsibility | Action Required |
| July 15 | Social Security, Medicare, Income Tax | Deposit taxes for June payments under the monthly rule. |
| July 31 | Social Security, Medicare, Income Tax | File Form 941 for the second quarter of 2024. |
| July 31 | Federal Unemployment (FUTA) | Deposit FUTA tax owed through June if more than $500. |
| July 31 | Employee Benefit Plans | File Form 5500 or 5500-EZ for 2023, if applicable. |
| August 12 | Social Security, Medicare, Income Tax | File Form 941 for the second quarter if taxes were deposited on time. |
| August 15 | Social Security, Medicare, Income Tax | Deposit taxes for July payments under the monthly rule. |
| September 16 | Social Security, Medicare, Income Tax | Deposit taxes for August payments under the monthly rule. |
Fourth Quarter (October – December)
| Date | Tax Responsibility | Action Required |
| October 15 | Social Security, Medicare, Income Tax | Deposit taxes for September payments under the monthly rule. |
| October 31 | Social Security, Medicare, Income Tax | File Form 941 for the third quarter of 2024. |
| October 31 | Federal Unemployment (FUTA) | Deposit FUTA tax owed through September if more than $500. |
| November 12 | Social Security, Medicare, Income Tax | File Form 941 for the third quarter if taxes were deposited on time. |
| November 15 | Social Security, Medicare, Income Tax | Deposit taxes for October payments under the monthly rule. |
| December 16 | Social Security, Medicare, Income Tax | Deposit taxes for November payments under the monthly rule. |
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Excise Tax Calendar (2024)
This calendar specifies deadlines for excise tax returns and deposits for when do you need to file taxes.
Deadline Adjustments
If a deadline falls on a weekend or legal holiday, it’s moved to the next business day. For regular method excise tax deposits, the deadline is adjusted to the previous day. Special rules in September affect Form 720 deposits.
First Quarter (January – March)
| Date | Tax Type | Action Required |
| January 2 | Wagering tax | File Form 730 for wagers in November 2023. |
| January 2 | Heavy highway vehicle use tax | File Form 2290 for vehicles first used in November 2023. |
| January 10 | Communications and air transportation taxes (alternative) | Deposit tax for the first 15 days of December 2023. |
| January 12 | Regular method taxes | Deposit tax for the last 16 days of December 2023. |
| January 25 | Communications and air transportation taxes (alternative) | Deposit tax for the last 16 days of December 2023. |
| January 29 | Regular method taxes | Deposit tax for the first 15 days of January. |
| January 31 | Form 720 | File for Q4 of 2023. |
| January 31 | Wagering tax | File Form 730 for wagers in December 2023. |
| January 31 | Heavy highway vehicle use tax | File Form 2290 for vehicles first used in December 2023. |
| February 12 | Communications and air transportation taxes (alternative) | Deposit tax for the first 15 days of January. |
| February 14 | Regular method taxes | Deposit tax for the last 16 days of January. |
| February 27 | Communications and air transportation taxes (alternative) | Deposit tax for the last 16 days of January. |
| February 29 | Wagering tax | File Form 730 for wagers in January. |
| February 29 | Heavy highway vehicle use tax | File Form 2290 for vehicles first used in January. |
| February 29 | Regular method taxes | Deposit tax for the first 15 days of February. |
| March 12 | Communications and air transportation taxes (alternative) | Deposit tax for the first 15 days of February. |
| March 14 | Regular method taxes | Deposit tax for the last 14 days of February. |
| March 27 | Communications and air transportation taxes (alternative) | Deposit tax for the last 14 days of February. |
| March 29 | Regular method taxes | Deposit tax for the first 15 days of March. |
Second Quarter (April – June)
| Date | Tax Type | Action Required |
| April 1 | Wagering tax | File Form 730 for wagers accepted in February. |
| April 1 | Heavy highway vehicle use tax | File Form 2290 for vehicles first used in February. |
| April 10 | Communications and air transportation taxes (alternative) | Deposit tax for the first 15 days of March. |
| April 12 | Regular method taxes | Deposit tax for the last 16 days of March. |
| April 25 | Communications and air transportation taxes (alternative) | Deposit tax for the last 16 days of March. |
| April 29 | Regular method taxes | Deposit tax for the first 15 days of April. |
| April 30 | Form 720 | File for the first quarter of 2024. |
| April 30 | Wagering tax | File Form 730 for wagers accepted in March. |
| May 10 | Communications and air transportation taxes (alternative) | Deposit tax for the first 15 days of April. |
| May 14 | Regular method taxes | Deposit tax for the last 15 days of April. |
| May 28 | Communications and air transportation taxes (alternative) | Deposit tax for the last 15 days of April. |
| May 29 | Regular method taxes | Deposit tax for the first 15 days of May. |
| May 31 | Wagering tax | File Form 730 for wagers accepted in April. |
| May 31 | Heavy highway vehicle use tax | File Form 2290 for vehicles first used in April. |
| June 12 | Communications and air transportation taxes (alternative) | Deposit tax for the first 15 days of May. |
| June 14 | Regular method taxes | Deposit tax for the last 16 days of May. |
| June 26 | Communications and air transportation taxes (alternative) | Deposit tax for the last 16 days of May. |
| June 28 | Regular method taxes | Deposit tax for the first 15 days of June. |
Third Quarter (July – September)
| Date | Tax Type | Action Required |
| July 1 | Wagering tax, Heavy highway vehicle use tax, Occupational excise taxes | File Form 730, 2290; register/pay annual tax if accepting wagers. |
| July 10 | Communications and air transportation taxes (alternative) | Deposit tax for the first 15 days of June. |
| July 12 | Regular method taxes | Deposit tax for the last 15 days of June. |
| July 25 | Communications and air transportation taxes (alternative) | Deposit tax for the last 15 days of June. |
| July 29 | Regular method taxes | Deposit tax for the first 15 days of July. |
| July 31 | Form 720, Wagering tax, Heavy highway vehicle use tax | File for Q2 2024; File Form 730, 2290 for June. |
| August 12 | Communications and air transportation taxes (alternative) | Deposit tax for the first 15 days of July. |
| August 14 | Regular method taxes | Deposit tax for the last 16 days of July. |
| August 27 | Communications and air transportation taxes (alternative) | Deposit tax for the last 16 days of July. |
| August 29 | Regular method taxes | Deposit tax for the first 15 days of August. |
| September | Various dates | Deposit taxes, file Forms 730, 2290, special rules apply. |
Fourth Quarter (October – December)
| Date | Tax Type | Action Required |
| October 10 | Communications and air transportation taxes (special rule) | Deposit tax for specified period in September. |
| October 11 | Regular method taxes (special rule) | Deposit tax for the last 4 days of September. |
| October 25 | Communications and air transportation taxes (alternative) | Deposit tax for the last 15 days of September. |
| October 29 | Regular method taxes | Deposit tax for the first 15 days of October. |
| October 31 | Form 720, Wagering tax, Heavy highway vehicle use tax | File for Q3 2024; File Form 730, 2290 for September. |
| November | Various dates | Deposit taxes, file Forms 730, 2290 for October. |
| December | Various dates | Deposit taxes, file Form 730 for November, prepare for year-end filings. |
What Happens If You Miss the Tax Filing Deadline?
Here is what might happen:
- Late Filing Penalties: If you are in tax debt and then you file late, the IRS can charge a 5% penalty on you every month, and it can go up to 25% maximum.
- Late Payment Penalties: If you pay late, the IRS can put a 0.5% penalty on your taxes due each month, which can go up to 25%.
- Interest: Adding up to the penalties, the IRS can also collect the interest rate, the federal short-term rate, and 3% from the dues unless you pay off all your dues. And they add up this interred every day.
- Refund Delays: If you’re due a refund, there’s no penalty for filing late, but you need to file within three years to get your refund.
- Loss of Future Tax Benefits: If you miss out on the taxes, you are also exempt from the tax benefits, which means double loss. The IRS will disqualify you from the deductions, and credits, which will cost you more in the long run.
- Collection Actions: If you did not file on time, the IRS has full authority to seize your assets, or they can also withdraw money from your bank accounts.
It’s always best to file and pay as much as you can before the deadline to minimize penalties and interest. Knowing when you have to file taxes is important for avoiding additional fees. If you’re unable to pay the full amount, you can explore payment plans and other options the IRS offers for managing outstanding taxes.
Final Thoughts!
Stay ahead in your tax filing process in 2024 by keeping up with all the necessary tax deadlines. From managing payroll to handling excise taxes or operating during the fiscal year, this blog post gives you a very detailed overview to keep you on time and avoid any penalties or interest.
A tax planning advisor can help you understand when do you have to file taxes and how to keep up with all the necessary forms so that you can meet all the deadlines without stress.
