Stay ahead of the game in 2024 with our comprehensive guide to the essential tax deadlines in the United States. As tax season approaches, knowing key dates is crucial for individuals and businesses alike to ensure compliance and avoid penalties. From filing deadlines to extension requests, this article breaks down everything you need to know to navigate the intricate landscape of tax obligations in the coming year. 

Individuals

(including employees, retirees, self-employed individuals, independent contractors, and gig workers)

January 29, 2024 – 2023 Tax season begins. This marks when the IRS will begin accepting and processing 2023 federal tax returns. 

April 1, 2024 – Required minimum distribution due if you turned 73 in 2023. If you turned 73 in 2023, you have until April 1, 2024, to take your 2023 required minimum distribution (your first required distribution) from your retirement account.  

April 15, 2024 – Tax day (tax filing deadline unless extended due to local state holiday).  

April 15, 2024 – Deadline to File Form 4868 and request an extension. The tax day deadline is also the last day to file Form 4868 requesting an extension to file your individual income tax return. If you won’t be ready to file your tax return by tax day, make sure you instead complete an extension request, granting you the ability to delay filing a completed return until October 16, 2024. But remember, even if you choose to file an extension, you are still required to pay any taxes you may owe by the April deadline. 

April 15, 2024 – Deadline to make IRA and HSA contributions for 2023 tax year. For individual income tax return filers, this also marks the final day to make contributions to your IRA or HSA for the 2023 tax year. After this date, you generally can’t make contributions for the previous tax year. 

April 15, 2024 – First quarter 2024 estimated tax payment due. Making estimated tax payments means that you need to estimate how much income you’re likely to make for the year and determine how much you will owe to the IRS for income taxes.  

June 17, 2024 – Second quarter 2024 estimated tax payment due.  

September 16, 2024 – Third quarter 2024 estimated tax payment due. 

October 15, 2024 – Deadline to file your extended 2023 tax return. If you chose to file an extension request on your tax return, this is the due date for filing your tax return. 

December 31, 2024 – Required minimum distributions have to be taken for individuals age 73 or older by the end of 2024. After taking your first RMD (for 2023) by April 1, 2024 if you turned 73 in 2023, you also need to take your 2024 RMD by the end of the year. This is also the deadline if you are otherwise required to take an RMD for 2024. 

January 15, 2025 – Fourth quarter 2024 estimated tax payment due. This represents the final quarterly estimated tax payment due for 2024.  

 

Businesses

Including Partnerships (including LLCs), C Corps (Form 1120), and S Corps (Form 1120S)

January 31, 2024 – Employers send W-2s forms to employees. 

January 31, 2024 – Send certain 1099 forms to contractors, non-employees, etc. 

March 15, 2024 – Taxes are due for some business types (partnerships, multi-member LLCs, and S-Corporations). Businesses organized as partnerships, including multi-member LLCs, and S-Corporations need to file Form 1065, or 1120S by March 15, 2024, if they are a calendar year business. If your business uses a fiscal year, you need to file your tax return by the 15th day of the third month following the close of your tax year. For example, if your business uses an April 1 – March 31 tax year, your business tax return would be due June 15 instead of March 15. 

April 15, 2024 – Taxes for C-Corporations are due. Businesses organized as C-Corporations need to file form 1120 by April 15, 2024, if they are a calendar year business. If your business uses a fiscal year, you need to file your tax return by the 15th day of the third month following the close of your tax year. For example, if your business uses an April 1 – March 31 tax year, your business tax return would be due June 15 instead of in April. 

April 15, 2024 – First quarter 2024 estimated tax payment due for calendar year business. 

June 17, 2024 – Second quarter 2024 estimated tax payment due for calendar year business. 

September 16, 2024 – Third quarter 2024 estimated tax payment due for calendar year business. 

September 16, 2024 – Deadline for extended partnership and S-corporation returns. 

October 15, 2024 – Deadline for extended C-corporation returns. 

January 15, 2025 – Fourth quarter 2024 estimated tax payment due for calendar year business. 

Note that the above does not cover every tax deadline, just some of the most important ones relevant to our client groups. Also, these deadlines may be subject to change. Please consult your tax accountant and the IRS website for more recent updates.