Federal deadlines at a glance
| Date | What's due |
|---|---|
| January 15 | 4th-quarter estimated tax payment for the prior year (self-employed & others who pay quarterly) |
| January 31 | Employers send W-2s; businesses send 1099-NEC forms to contractors |
| March 15 | S-Corporation (1120-S) and Partnership (1065) returns — or extension requests |
| April 15 | Individual returns (1040), C-Corporation returns (1120), 1st-quarter estimated payment, and prior-year IRA/HSA contribution deadline |
| June 15 | 2nd-quarter estimated tax payment |
| September 15 | 3rd-quarter estimated payment; extended S-Corp & Partnership returns |
| October 15 | Extended individual returns — the final deadline for the year |
Iowa filers: a different deadline
Iowa gives individual filers extra time — the Iowa return is generally due April 30, about two weeks after the federal deadline. Don't let the extra time cause a miss: we file both together so nothing slips.
Three things people get wrong about deadlines
- An extension extends filing, not payment. If you expect to owe, an estimated payment should still go in by April 15 to avoid interest and penalties.
- Estimated payments aren't optional if you're self-employed or have significant non-wage income. Missing quarters can trigger an underpayment penalty even if you pay in full in April.
- Business returns come first. S-Corp and partnership returns are due a month before your personal return because their K-1s feed into your 1040. Late business filings hold up everything.
Never miss a date again.
Clients get deadline reminders and a personalized document checklist — no calendar management required on your end.
Schedule Your Free 20-Min CallThis page is general information, not tax advice. Deadlines can be adjusted by the IRS or the State of Iowa in a given year (for example, after federally declared disasters). Confirm current-year dates at irs.gov or ask us.