Last year's tax landscape was somewhat unconventional, particularly at the IRS.
A change in presidential administration contributed to an unprecedented number of IRS commissioners and thousands of government layoffs. Plus, a new GOP tax and spending bill introduced several new temporary tax breaks, while permanently eliminating others.
In light of all this, you might be wondering: Are taxes still due in 2026?
The answer is yes.
For many people, there are more tax deadlines to worry about than the due date for your federal income tax return. The IRS can still hit you with penalties and interest if you miss a tax deadline.
- For example, the standard penalty for failing to file your annual tax return on time is 5% of the tax due for each month (or partial month) your return is late.
- If you don't pay your taxes on time, the monthly penalty is 0.5% of the unpaid amount, up to 25% of what you owe.
- You'll also owe interest on the unpaid taxes. Penalties apply to missing other tax deadlines, too.
However, it can be hard to keep track of every IRS tax deadline. (There's at least one tax deadline every month.)
To make things easier, here are the most important 2026 federal income tax due dates for individuals.
January
January tax deadlines
Date |
Deadline |
January 12 |
Tips for December 2025 reported to employer |
January 15 |
Estimated tax payment for fourth quarter of 2025 |
January 15 |
Farmers and fishermen pay estimated tax for 2025 |
January marks the start of the 2026 tax filing season, but there are also a few tax deadlines during the month. The first is related to tips, which must be reported to your employer by the 10th of the month following the month you received them.
The other January tax deadline involves estimated tax payments for the last quarter of 2025, which are due January 15 for most people who are required to make quarterly payments. You don't need to make this payment if you file and pay your taxes in full by February 2, 2026 (normally the end of January, but January 31 falls on a weekend).
If you live in one of the states with extended IRS tax deadlines due to natural disasters, your January estimated tax payment (and other relevant tax obligations) can be paid in accordance with that new deadline.
February
February tax deadlines
Date |
Deadline |
February 2 |
Deadline to file and pay 2025 taxes in full if not making an estimated tax payment in January |
February 10 |
Tips for January 2026 reported to employer |
February 16 |
File Form W-4 to reclaim exemption from withholding for 2026 |
The monthly tip reporting deadline is February 10. This time, the deadline is for taxable tips received in January.
If you were exempt from income tax withholding in 2025 and want to reclaim the exemption for 2026, you need to fill out a new W-4 form and give it to your employer by the 16th (if you qualified for the exemption). The typical deadline for filing and paying your estimated taxes in full is February 2 this year, due to January 31 falling on a weekend.
March
March tax deadlines
Date |
Deadline |
March 2 |
Farmers and fishermen file 2025 tax return to avoid penalty if estimated tax not paid by January |
March 10 |
Tips for February 2026 reported to employer |
March 16 |
S-Corporations and partnerships file 2025 business tax returns |
There are only three tax deadlines in March: Farmers and fishermen who didn't make an estimated tax payment in January; S-Corporations and partnerships; and monthly tip reporting.
April
April tax deadlines
Date |
Deadline |
April 1 |
First required minimum distribution (RMD) by individuals who turned 73 in 2025 |
April 10 |
Tips for March 2026 reported to employer |
April 15 |
2025 tax return and pay tax due |
April 15 |
File Form 4868 to request six-month income tax return filing extension (payment of tax not extended) |
April 15 |
File Schedule H (1040) and pay employment taxes for household employees (file separately if Form 1040 is not filed) |
April 15 |
Estimated tax payment for first quarter of 2026 |
April 15 |
Contribute to individual retirement account (IRA) for 2025 |
April 15 |
Withdraw excess IRA contributions in 2025 to avoid penalty if filing of form 1040 was not extended |
April 15 |
Contribute to health savings account (HSA) for 2025 |
April 15 |
Contribute to solo 401(k) plan or simplified employee pension (SEP) plan for 2025 by self-employed if filing of form 1040 was not extended |
April 15 |
File 2022 tax return (Form 1040) to request unclaimed tax refund for the 2022 tax year |
April is an important month for tax deadlines.
For most people, April 15 is the last day to file a 2025 tax return, unless you apply for an automatic six-month tax extension with the IRS, which is also due on April 15.
If you are a household worker (for example, a nanny), you also have until April 15 to file Schedule H and pay your employment taxes.
- April 15 is also the last day that you can contribute to an IRA or health savings account (HSA) for 2025.
- In addition, except for those who request an extension to file their 2025 tax return, April 15 is the deadline for self-employed people to contribute to a solo 401(k) or a simplified employee pension (SEP) plan for 2025.
- If you made excess IRA contributions in 2025, these must also be withdrawn by April 15.
After you turn 73, you must take your first required minimum distribution (RMD) from your traditional IRAs and 401(k) plans by April 1 of the following year. RMDs for inherited IRAs have their own set of rules.
May
May tax deadlines
Date |
Deadline |
May 11 |
Tips for April 2026 reported to employer (Form 4070) |
May 15 |
Deadline for certain tax-exempt organizations on a calendar-year basis to file Form 990 series. |
You only need to worry about two May tax deadlines: Tax-exempt organizations that did not file for an automatic six-month extension (taxes still needed to be paid by the original due date), and tips you received in April.
However, if you received less than $20 in tips from a single employer in April, you don't need to worry about this deadline.
June
June tax deadlines
Date |
Deadline |
June 10 |
Tips for May 2026 reported to employer |
June 15 |
Estimated tax payment for 2nd quarter of 2026 |
June 15 |
U.S. taxpayers living and working abroad file 2025 tax return |
June 15 |
U.S. taxpayers living and working abroad file Form 4868 to request four-month income tax return filing extension (payment of tax not extended) |
June 15 |
Military personnel on duty outside the U.S. file 2025 tax return |
June 15 |
Military personnel on duty outside the U.S. file Form 4868 to request four-month income tax return filing extension (payment of tax not extended) |
Military personnel and other taxpayers serving or living outside the U.S. have until June 15 to file their 2025 tax returns. Estimated tax payments for the second quarter of 2026 are also due June 15.
July
July tax deadlines
Date |
Deadline |
July 10 |
Tips for June 2026 reported to employer |
July is a slow month for tax deadlines. You only need to worry about this due date if you received tips in June. The same $20 threshold per employer applies.
August
August tax deadlines
Date |
Deadline |
August 10 |
Tips for July 2026 reported to employer |
You have until August 10 to report tips received in July.
September
September tax deadlines
Date |
Deadline |
September 10 |
Tips for August 2026 reported to employer |
September 15 |
Estimated tax payment for third quarter of 2026 |
Employees must report August tips to their employer by September 10.
Estimated tax payments for the third quarter of 2026 are due by September 15.
October
October tax deadlines
Date |
Deadline |
October 12 |
Tips for September 2026 reported to employer |
October 15 |
File extended 2025 tax return (Form 1040) |
October 15 |
Withdraw excess IRA contributions in 2025 to avoid penalty if filing of Form 1040 was extended |
October 15 |
Contribute to solo 401(k) plan or simplified employee pension (SEP) plan for 2025 by self-employed if you received a filing extension |
Most October deadlines only apply if you receive a six-month tax filing extension. If that applies to you, you have to meet the October 15 deadline to avoid penalties.
Some taxpayers who receive a filing extension could also contribute to or withdraw from certain accounts.
See the table above to determine if that applies to you.
November
November tax deadlines
Date |
Deadline |
November 10 |
Tips for October 2026 reported to employer |
If you received more than $20 in tips during October, you must report them to your employer by November 10.
December
December tax deadlines
Date |
Deadline |
December 10 |
Tips for November 2026 Reported to Employer (Form 4070) |
December 31 |
Contribution to employer-sponsored retirement plan for 2026 (401(k), 403(b), 457 or federal thrift savings plans) |
December 31 |
Required minimum distribution (RMD) by individuals who are 73 or older at the end of 2026 |
There are a few important tax deadlines in December. For one, it's the last month to contribute to employer-sponsored retirement plans, such as your 401(k). Unless it's your first, you must also take your annual RMD by the end of the year.
