Stay ahead of IRS and payroll deadlines—without living in your inbox
Deadlines don’t just affect your annual tax return. For growing businesses, the real stress comes from the steady drumbeat of quarterly estimated taxes, payroll filings, W-2/1099 requirements, and state withholding schedules. This guide organizes the most important upcoming due dates for 2026 and explains how to build a repeatable process—so you’re not scrambling each month (or worse, paying avoidable penalties).
Why “tax deadlines” are more than April 15
For many small business owners, deadlines fall into three buckets:
Income tax filing deadlines (your business and/or personal return).
Pay-as-you-go deadlines (quarterly estimated tax payments if you’re not withholding enough).
Employer and information return deadlines (payroll filings, W-2s, 1099s, state withholding returns).
The goal is not to memorize every date—it’s to set up bookkeeping, payroll, and tax planning workflows that make these dates routine. If your books are consistently clean and your payroll is reconciled, many “urgent” deadlines become simple approvals instead of weekend emergencies.
If you want a CPA team that can help run this proactively (bookkeeping, payroll, planning, and filings), explore JTC CPAs’ bookkeeping services and payroll processing options.
Quick “Did you know?” deadline facts
W-2s for 2025 wages are due to employees by February 2, 2026 (because January 31 falls on a weekend). (irs.gov)
Form 941 is due the last day of the month after each quarter ends—a predictable rhythm that’s easy to automate when payroll is consistent. (irs.gov)
Federal estimated tax due dates for tax year 2026 are typically April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 (the last one is in January 2027). (fidelity.com)
The 2026 deadline calendar (most common for small businesses)
This is a practical “starter calendar” for many owners: quarterly estimated tax payments, quarterly payroll filings (Form 941), and a South Carolina withholding reminder for businesses with employees. Always confirm the forms that apply to your entity type (S corp vs partnership vs sole prop) and whether you’re a monthly/semiweekly depositor for payroll taxes.
| Deadline (Date) | Who it affects | What’s due | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 2, 2026 | Employers | Provide Form W-2 to employees (2025 wages) | Late W-2s create employee frustration and compliance risk |
| April 15, 2026 | Individuals + many pass-through owners | File 2025 individual return (or extension) and pay any balance due | Extensions extend filing time, not the time to pay |
| April 15, 2026 | Self-employed + owners with under-withholding | Estimated tax payment (Q1 for tax year 2026) | Avoids underpayment penalties by staying “pay-as-you-go” |
| April 30, 2026 | Employers | Form 941 due for Q1 | Quarterly payroll reporting requirement |
| June 15, 2026 | Estimated taxpayers | Estimated tax payment (Q2 for tax year 2026) | Especially important during “strong revenue” seasons |
| July 31, 2026 | Employers | Form 941 due for Q2 | Avoid penalties and notices by filing consistently |
| September 15, 2026 | Estimated taxpayers | Estimated tax payment (Q3 for tax year 2026) | A common miss when summer gets busy |
| October 31, 2026 | Employers | Form 941 due for Q3 | Keeps year-end payroll clean and auditable |
| January 15, 2027 | Estimated taxpayers | Estimated tax payment (Q4 for tax year 2026) | Prevents penalties from a “surprise” profitable year |
Notes: Form 941 timing is defined by the IRS instructions (due the last day of the month after quarter-end). (irs.gov) Estimated tax timing varies by tax year and holidays/weekends; the common 2026 schedule shown is widely referenced for tax year 2026. (fidelity.com)
Step-by-step: a deadline system that actually reduces stress
1) Set a monthly “close” date (even if you’re small)
Pick a consistent day (example: the 10th business day of the month) to reconcile bank/credit cards, review payroll reports, and categorize transactions. When the books are closed monthly, quarter-end filings become routine.
2) Treat estimated taxes like a recurring subscription
If you pay estimates, schedule reminders for April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. Consider a separate “tax” savings account fed by a fixed percentage of owner draws or net profit. This helps you avoid the common mistake of spending cash that belongs to the IRS.
3) Payroll: reconcile every cycle, not every quarter
Quarter-end is not the time to discover a mis-mapped wage category or an incorrect withholding. A quick per-payroll checklist (gross-to-net review, tax liability confirmation, benefits deductions validation) keeps Form 941 filing smoother.
4) Plan taxes year-round, not “after the year is over”
Effective tax planning happens before December 31—when you still have levers you can pull (timing of income/expenses, retirement contributions, equipment purchases, entity strategy, and compensation planning). If you’d like structured support, JTC CPAs offers tax planning designed for business owners who want fewer surprises.
Local angle: What Surfside Beach businesses should watch in South Carolina
If you have employees working in South Carolina, state withholding adds another layer of deadlines. South Carolina withholding returns are generally due by the end of the month following the end of the filing quarter (Q1 due April 30; Q2 due July 31; Q3 due October 31; Q4/annual due January 31). (dor.sc.gov)
Practical takeaway: align your federal and state payroll workflows. When your payroll calendar, reconciliations, and quarter-end review are standardized, you reduce the chance of missed filings and mismatched totals between federal and state reporting.
If you’re operating across states (remote team members, multi-state clients, or expanding locations), proactive bookkeeping and clean reporting become even more important. If you need help cleaning up past filings or addressing notices, JTC CPAs can also assist with tax resolution.
Want a CPA team to keep your deadlines (and books) under control?
JTC CPAs supports business owners with bookkeeping, payroll processing, proactive tax planning, and tax return preparation—built around consistent monthly workflows so deadlines feel predictable.
FAQ: upcoming tax deadlines (small business edition)
If I file an extension, do I get more time to pay?
Typically, no. An extension usually extends the time to file paperwork—not the time to pay. If you think you’ll owe, plan to pay an estimated balance by the original due date to reduce penalties and interest.
What are the 2026 estimated tax due dates?
For tax year 2026, the commonly referenced federal estimated tax deadlines are April 15, 2026; June 15, 2026; September 15, 2026; and January 15, 2027. (fidelity.com)
When is Form 941 due?
Form 941 is due by the last day of the month following the end of each quarter (April 30, July 31, October 31, and January 31, assuming no weekend/holiday adjustments are needed). (irs.gov)
What South Carolina withholding deadlines should employers track?
South Carolina withholding returns are generally due by the end of the month following the quarter end: April 30, July 31, October 31, and January 31 (annual/Q4). (dor.sc.gov)
I’m behind—should I “wait until I have time” to fix it?
Waiting usually increases notice volume and limits your options. If you have unfiled returns or back taxes, a structured plan matters. JTC CPAs can help you regain control through tax resolution services and ongoing compliance support.
Glossary (plain-English)
Estimated taxes: Quarterly payments made to cover income not subject to withholding (common for self-employed owners and pass-through income).
Form 941: The employer’s quarterly federal tax return reporting wages paid, federal income tax withheld, and Social Security/Medicare taxes.
W-2: Year-end wage statement employers provide to employees summarizing pay and withholdings.
Monthly close: A repeatable bookkeeping routine to reconcile accounts and finalize financials each month so reports are reliable and quarter-end is easier.
For employer due dates and holiday adjustments, the IRS tax calendars can be a helpful reference point when building your internal compliance checklist. (irs.gov)
