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U.S. Tax Due Dates and Filing Deadlines in 2021
Tax Day falls on April 15 each year, as designated by the U.S. government. If the date falls on a weekend or a holiday, the next regular business day becomes the new due date. Aside from Tax Day, there are specific dates that taxpayers need to remember.
To avoid penalties and problems with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the U.S. federal tax agency, it is wise to stay on top of your taxes and to keep in mind all applicable filing dates.
Set reminders for tax due dates and filing deadlines, depending on the tax-paying category that applies to you. Read on for a detailed list of important dates in 2021 you should remember.
January 15, 2021
4th Quarter 2020 Estimated Tax Payment Due
Applicable to: Self-employed individuals
Self-employed professionals, such as independent contractors or freelancers, with earned income during the fourth quarter (September 1 to December 31) of the 2020 tax year need to pay their estimated quarterly tax on this day. Earned income, according to the IRS includes wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, tips, and net earnings.
Form:
January 31, 2021
Form W-3 Filing Deadline
Applicable to: Employers
File Form W-3 to report the annual wages and tax withholdings of your employees to the Social Security Administration. You only have until this day to file the form.
Form:
February 1, 2021
Form W-2 Filing Deadline
Applicable to: Employers
Fill out Form W-2 for each of your employees. You only have until this day to send the applicable copies of Form W-2 to an employee and the IRS.
Form:
March 15, 2021
S Corporations Tax Return Due
Applicable to: S Corporations
This day is the last day to file Form 1120-S to report the income, losses, and dividends of S corporation shareholders. Remember that S Corporations do not pay taxes on their income; taxes are paid on the individual incomes of the shareholders.
Form:
Partnerships Tax Return Due
Applicable to: Partnerships
This day is the last day to file Form 1065 to report the income, gains, losses, deductions, and credits from the operation of a partnership. The form is not used to pay taxes. Remember that Partnerships do not pay taxes on their income; taxes are paid on the individual incomes of the partners.
Form:
March 31, 2021
1st Quarter 2021 Employer’s Federal Tax Return Due
Applicable to: Employers
Use Form 941 to report income taxes, Social Security taxes, and Medicare taxes withheld from the paychecks of your employees during the first quarter of the 2021 tax year.
Form:
April 15, 2021
Individual Tax Return Filing Due Date
Applicable to: Self-employed individuals
You only have until this day to file your individual tax return. If your income during the tax year is $66,000 or less, you can e-file your tax return. This day is also the deadline to file Form 4868 to request an extension to file your individual tax return. Filing Form 4868 provides you an extra six months to file your return.
Forms:
- Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
- Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
1st Quarter 2021 Estimated Tax Payment Due
Applicable to: Self-employed individuals
Self-employed professionals, such as independent contractors or freelancers, with earned income during the first quarter (January 1 to March 31) of the 2021 tax year need to pay their estimated quarterly tax on this day. Earned income, according to the IRS includes wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, tips, and net earnings.
Form:
C Corporations Tax Return Due
Applicable to: C Corporations
This day is the deadline for C Corporations to file Form 1120 to report their income, gains, losses, deductions, credits and to figure out their tax liability. This day is also the deadline to file Form 7004 to request an extension to file a corporate tax return. Filing Form 7004 provides you an extra six months to file your return.
Forms:
- Form 1120, U.S. Corporation Income tax Return
- Form 7004, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File Certain Business Income Tax, Information, and Other Returns
June 15, 2021
2nd Quarter 2021 Estimated Tax Payment Due
Applicable to: Self-employed individuals
Self-employed professionals, such as independent contractors or freelancers, with earned income during the second quarter (April 1 to May 31) of the 2021 tax year need to pay their estimated quarterly tax on this day. Earned income, according to the IRS includes wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, tips, and net earnings.
Form:
June 31, 2021
2nd Quarter 2021 Employer’s Federal Tax Return Due
Applicable to: Employers
Use Form 941 to report income taxes, Social Security taxes, and Medicare taxes withheld from the paychecks of your employees during the second quarter of the 2021 tax year.
Form:
September 15, 2021
3rd Quarter 2021 Estimated Tax Payment Due
Applicable to: Self-employed individuals
Self-employed professionals, such as independent contractors or freelancers, with earned income during the third quarter (June 1 to August 31) of the 2021 tax year need to pay their estimated quarterly tax on this day. Earned income, according to the IRS includes wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, tips, and net earnings.
Form:
September 30, 2021
3rd Quarter 2021 Employer’s Federal Tax Return Due
Applicable to: Employers
Use Form 941 to report income taxes, Social Security taxes, and Medicare taxes withheld from the paychecks of your employees during the third quarter of the 2021 tax year.
Form:
October 15, 2021
Extended Individual Income Tax Return Filing Due
Applicable to: Self-employed individuals who used Form 4868
If you requested an extension to file your individual income tax return, this day is the last day to file your return.
Form:
Extended C Corporations Tax Return Due
Applicable to: C Corporations that used Form 7004
If your C Corporation requested an extension to file its corporate tax return, this day is the last day to file the return.
Form:
December 30, 2021
4th Quarter 2021 Employer’s Federal Tax Return Due
Applicable to: Employers
Use Form 941 to report income taxes, Social Security taxes, and Medicare taxes withheld from the paychecks of your employees during the fourth quarter of the 2021 tax year.
Form:
Now you know your tax deadlines, make sure to prepare early and save all applicable dates to your calendar to avoid penalties.