Important Tax Dates and Deadlines in 2027

Tax Day 2027 is April 15, 2027, which is when most people need to file their 2026 federal income tax return and pay any tax they owe. But depending on your situation, you may have a few other dates to keep track of, too.

Whether you’re an employee, retired, self-employed, or running a business, this guide covers key tax deadlines in 2027 and answers common questions about when to file, request an extension, and make payments.

Tax deadlines 2027 at a glance:

Tax Day: Most individual 2026 tax returns and payments are due April 15, 2027.
W-2s and many 1099s: Employers and other payers generally must send these forms by Feb. 1, 2027.
Business returns: Calendar-year partnerships and S corporations file by March 15, 2027. C corporations generally file by April 15.
Extensions: An extension gives you more time to file your return, but it usually doesn’t give you more time to pay your tax bill.
Looking for last season’s updates? See Important Tax Dates and Deadlines in 2026.

Key tax deadlines in 2027 for individuals

Most tax returns filed during the 2027 tax season report income earned in 2026. However, estimated tax payments are a bit different — you make those throughout the year to cover taxes on income you’re earning now.

Below are the main federal tax deadlines individual filers need to be aware of.

Tax tip: Get an idea of what you might owe or receive as a refund this year with our income tax calculator.

What are the tax deadlines for 2027?

Jan. 15, 2027: Fourth quarterly estimated tax payment due for tax year 2026. This deadline may apply to you if you’re self-employed or have other income without enough tax withholding.

Tax season opening date: TBD. At the time of publication, the IRS has not yet announced when it will begin accepting and processing 2026 individual income tax returns. In past years, the tax season opening date typically occurred in late January. Check IRS.gov for the official 2027 start date.

Feb. 1, 2027: Deadline for employers to send your Form W-2 and for payers to send many 1099 forms, including Form 1099-NEC. Some things worth noting:

Mailed forms may arrive after this date.
The usual Jan. 31 deadline falls on a Sunday, so it moves to Monday, Feb. 1, in 2027.

Feb. 16, 2027: Deadline to give your employer a new Form W-4 if you claimed exemption from federal income tax withholding in 2026 and still qualify for exemption in 2027.

April 1, 2027: Deadline for your first required minimum distribution (RMD) from a traditional IRA if you turned 73 in 2026 and delayed that withdrawal. (Some workplace retirement plans allow you to wait until retirement.)

April 15, 2027, is the deadline to:

File your 2026 individual income tax return, typically Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR.
Pay any remaining federal income tax you owe for 2026.
Request a filing extension using Form 4868 if you need more time to prepare your return.
Make eligible IRA and health savings account (HSA) contributions for tax year 2026.
- Note: A filing extension generally doesn’t extend these contribution deadlines.
Make your first quarterly estimated tax payment for tax year 2027.

Many state returns are also due April 15, but check your state’s tax deadlines to be sure.

Other dates to remember:

June 15, 2027: Second quarterly estimated tax payment due for 2027.
Sept. 15, 2027: Third quarterly estimated tax payment due for 2027.
Oct. 15, 2027: Extended filing deadline for your 2026 federal income tax return if you requested an extension by the deadline.
Dec. 31, 2027: Deadline for most annual RMDs from your own retirement accounts. If you delayed your first RMD until April 1, 2027, you generally still need to take your next one by Dec. 31.
- Note: Roth IRAs don’t require withdrawals during the original owner’s lifetime.
Jan. 18, 2028: Fourth quarterly estimated tax payment due for 2027.
- Note: Jan. 15 falls on a Saturday, and Monday, Jan. 17, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so the deadline moves to Tuesday the 18th.

Tax tip: Your tax deadline(s) may be different if you qualify for IRS disaster tax relief, live and work abroad, or serve in a combat zone. Check the rules that apply to you before relying on the standard dates. See our guide to extended deadlines due to natural disasters for a list of states and areas affected.

When are quarterly taxes due in 2027?

If you freelance, run a small business, or earn investment income, you may need to make estimated tax payments. These payments cover income tax and, when applicable, self-employment tax that isn’t covered by withholding.

You typically need to make estimated payments if you expect to owe at least $1,000 after subtracting withholding and refundable credits, though exceptions apply. Form 1040-ES helps you estimate what to pay.

Here’s the individual quarterly estimated tax schedule, including the final payment for 2026:

Due date	Payment period	Payment
Jan. 15, 2027	Sept. 1–Dec. 31, 2026	2026 Q4 payments
April 15, 2027	Jan. 1–March 31, 2027	2027 Q1 payments
June 15, 2027	April 1–May 31, 2027	2027 Q2 payments
Sept. 15, 2027	June 1–Aug. 31, 2027	2027 Q3 payments
Jan. 18, 2028	Sept. 1–Dec. 31, 2027	2027 Q4 payments

As you can see, these payment periods aren’t all three months long, which can make it harder to remember when your quarterly payments are due. Setting reminders for these due dates can help you avoid missing a payment.

You can make individual estimated payments through IRS Direct Pay or your IRS Online Account. Just make sure to select the correct tax year and payment type so your payment goes where it belongs.

TaxAct® can also help you set up quarterly estimated tax payments. To learn more, visit our Calculating and Paying Quarterly Estimated Taxes support page.

Business tax deadlines 2027

Your business filing deadline depends on how your business is taxed. The dates below apply to calendar-year businesses filing 2026 returns in 2027.

Feb. 1, 2027:

Send Form W-2 to employees and file it with the Social Security Administration.
Send Form 1099-NEC to contractors when required and file it with the IRS. This deadline applies whether you file on paper or electronically.
File Form 940 for 2026 federal unemployment tax and Form 941 for the fourth quarter of 2026, if required.
- Note: Employers that made all required deposits on time and in full generally have until Feb. 10 to file these returns.

March 15, 2027:

Partnerships: File Form 1065. This includes multi-member LLCs taxed as partnerships.
S corporations: File Form 1120-S.
Provide each partner or shareholder with a Schedule K-1, which reports their share of the business’s income and other tax items. A timely return extension also extends this deadline.
Request a filing extension using Form 7004 if your partnership or S corporation needs more time.
File Form 2553 if your eligible existing calendar-year business wants to elect S corporation status effective Jan. 1, 2027. New businesses and late elections may have different rules.

April 15, 2027:

C corporations: File Form 1120 or request an extension using Form 7004. Pay any tax due by the original deadline.
Sole proprietors and single-member LLC owners: Report business income on your individual return, using Schedule C with Form 1040. Use Form 4868 if you need an extension.
Calendar-year estates and trusts: File Form 1041, if required, or request an extension using Form 7004. Provide beneficiaries with Schedule K-1 by the return’s due date, including extensions.

Tax tip: A multi-member LLC doesn’t automatically have an April filing deadline. An LLC taxed as a partnership follows partnership dates, while an LLC taxed as an S corporation or C corporation follows that corporation’s dates.

Other business filing dates:

May 17, 2027: Calendar-year tax-exempt organizations generally must file their required Form 990-series return or notice. (The typical May 15 deadline falls on a Saturday.)
Sept. 15, 2027: Extended filing deadline for calendar-year partnerships and S corporations.
Sept. 30, 2027: Extended filing deadline for calendar-year estates and trusts that requested the standard 5½-month Form 1041 extension.
Oct. 15, 2027: Extended filing deadline for calendar-year C corporations and individuals, including sole proprietors.
Nov. 15, 2027: Extended filing deadline for calendar-year nonprofits that requested a timely extension using Form 8868.
- Note: Form 990-N cannot be extended.

Fiscal year business deadlines

If your business uses a fiscal year, meaning its tax year ends on a date other than Dec. 31, your income tax return dates will differ:

Partnerships and S corps generally file by the 15th day of the third month after year-end.
C corps generally file by the 15th day of the fourth month after year-end.

Check your business form’s current instructions for any exceptions.

Business estimated payments and payroll returns

Business owners who pay estimated tax on their individual returns generally follow the quarterly schedule listed in the previous section for individuals. However, calendar-year C corporations have a different schedule, with the fourth-quarter payment due in December rather than January.

This means the C corp estimated tax due dates are:

April 15, 2027
June 15, 2027
Sept. 15, 2027
Dec. 15, 2027

If you have employees and file Form 941, keep these standard filing dates handy:

Quarter reported	Form 941 filing deadline
Fourth quarter of 2026	Feb. 1, 2027
First quarter of 2027	April 30, 2027
Second quarter of 2027	Aug. 2, 2027 (moved from July 31, which falls on a Saturday)
Third quarter of 2027	Nov. 1, 2027 (moved from Oct. 31, which falls on a Sunday)
Fourth quarter of 2027	Jan. 31, 2028 (extended to Feb. 10, 2028, if all tax deposits for the quarter were made in full and on time)

Employers that deposit all required taxes on time and in full generally get until the 10th day of the second month after the quarter ends to file. Payroll tax deposit deadlines are separate from these return deadlines and may come much earlier.

Businesses can use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) to make federal tax deposits and other payments. Just make sure to check the payment service’s cutoff time before scheduling a payment.

For a more complete federal tax calendar, see IRS Publication 509.

2027 tax deadline FAQs

When are taxes due in 2027?

For most people, 2026 federal income taxes are due April 15, 2027. That’s the deadline to file your return and pay any remaining tax you owe. If you need more time to file, you can request an extension by that date. You’ll generally have until Oct. 15, 2027, to submit your extended return, but your payment is still due in April.

When are business taxes due in 2027?

Calendar-year partnerships and S corporations must file by March 15, 2027. C corporations file by April 15, 2027. Sole proprietors typically report business income on Schedule C with Form 1040, so their deadline is also April 15.

An LLC’s deadline depends on how it’s taxed. For example, an LLC taxed as a partnership follows the March deadline. If your business uses a fiscal year instead of a calendar year, check your return’s instructions for the correct due date.

Why is Tax Day 2027 on April 15?

The federal filing deadline is usually April 15, but if that date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, it moves to the next business day. In 2027, April 15 is a Thursday and isn’t a legal holiday, so the usual deadline applies.

Can I request an extension for my business return?

Yes. Partnerships, S corporations, and C corporations generally request an extension using Form 7004. Sole proprietors and individuals reporting a single-member LLC’s income on their personal return use Form 4868. You’ll need to submit the appropriate form by your original filing deadline. And remember, while an extension gives you more time to file, any tax owed is still due by the original payment deadline.

For answers to more questions on this topic, check out Small Business Extended Tax Return Deadlines and FAQs Explained.

When are taxes due with an extension in 2027?

If you request a timely extension for your 2026 individual return, you have until Oct. 15, 2027, to file. You can request that extension using Form 4868 (TaxAct can help you e-file it). But remember, your tax payment is still due April 15, 2027.

For calendar-year partnerships and S corporations, the extended filing deadline is Sept. 15, 2027, while C corporations have until Oct. 15, 2027. Calendar-year estates and trusts filing Form 1041 typically have until Sept. 30, 2027, with the standard extension.

Does the IRS allow tax payment plans?

Yes! If you can’t pay your full tax bill at once, you may qualify for an IRS payment plan. Just make sure to file your return or request an extension on time, and pay what you can by the payment deadline. Filing late can lead to a failure-to-file penalty, while paying late can trigger a failure-to-pay penalty and interest. Learn more about possible penalties in How IRS Penalties and Interest Work.

Depending on the payment plan you select, setup fees may apply. Interest and applicable penalties will continue until your balance is paid, so paying sooner can help limit those extra costs. TaxAct can help you set up an IRS payment plan.

When are taxes due for nonprofit organizations?

Calendar-year tax-exempt organizations must file their required Form 990-series return or notice by May 17, 2027. The usual May 15 deadline falls on a Saturday, so it moves to Monday the 17th.

Eligible organizations can request a six-month filing extension using Form 8868 (although Form 990-N cannot be extended). For calendar-year filers, the extended deadline is Nov. 15, 2027. If your organization uses a fiscal year, its annual return is generally due on the 15th day of the fifth month after year-end.

When are W-2 and 1099 deadlines in 2027?

Employers must send 2026 Form W-2s by Feb. 1, 2027 (the usual Jan. 31 deadline falls on a Sunday). A mailed copy may arrive later, so this isn’t necessarily the day you’ll receive it.

For 1099 information return forms, the deadline depends on the form and whether you’re receiving it or filing it with the IRS. For details on Form 1099-MISC, 1099-DIV, and more, see our Guide to Form 1099.

Want a tax expert to handle your return?

Keeping track of tax deadlines is one thing. Finding time to prepare your return is another. If you’d rather hand off the work, TaxAct Xpert Full Service™^* connects you with 100% U.S.-based, credentialed tax experts who prepare your federal Form 1040, applicable state returns, and business tax returns, such as Forms 1120-S and 1065. Simply upload your documents, review your return when it’s ready, and have your expert file it after you approve.

Learn more about Xpert Full Service and see whether it’s a fit for you.

The bottom line

Staying on top of 2027 tax deadlines can help you file on time, pay what you owe, and avoid late penalties. Mark the dates that apply to you, set reminders for estimated payments, and gather tax forms as they arrive in January and February.

Ready to file your 2026 return? TaxAct can help you work through your taxes step by step, or you can let a credentialed expert handle your individual return with Xpert Full Service.^* Choose the option that works for you, and we’ll help you get started.

Still have more questions? Ask us on Reddit!

Join the r/TaxActCommunity to ask questions, share tips, and hear from other filers and the TaxAct team.

This article is for informational purposes only and not legal or financial advice.

All TaxAct offers, products and services are subject to applicable terms and conditions.

^* TaxAct® Xpert Full Service™ is offered subject to availability at TaxAct’s sole discretion. The service is complete upon the filing of prepared federal 1040 or 1120-S/1065 business tax return and applicable state tax return(s). Service does not include access to TaxAct’s other software products, DIY features, municipal/local tax filings, foreign filings, prior year returns, or certain complex tax situations. The service is provided on a per-return basis and may be cancelled at any time by TaxAct. Restrictions apply. See Xpert Full Service Terms for further details.

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