Please note: We DO NOT offer free tax advice for TurboTax users or self-preparers.

Critical January 2026 Tax Deadlines for Businesses

As we step into January 2026, it’s crucial for businesses, employers, farmers, and fishermen to be vigilant about upcoming tax deadlines. Adequate preparation now ensures you maintain compliance and avert potential penalties.

January 15 - Employer’s Monthly Deposit Obligation -

Employers who fall under monthly deposit regulations must ensure that their deposits for Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income tax for December 2025 are completed by January 15, 2026. This also applies to nonpayroll withholding deposits for December 2025 where the monthly rule applies. Note that electronic filing is mandatory for employment tax deposits, unless your deposit liability is below $2,500 per return period, which permits quarterly or annual payments with the return.

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January 15 - Obligations for Farmers and Fishermen -

Farmers and fishermen need to make their estimated tax payments for 2025 using Form 1040-ES by January 15. If the estimated tax isn’t paid by this date, they must file their 2025 income tax return along with any due tax by March 2, 2026, to avoid penalties. Alternatively, the final deadline to file without penalties is April 15, 2026, for those who meet the January payment.

Adjustments for Weekends & Holidays:

If a tax due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the deadline is automatically moved to the next business day that isn’t a legal holiday.

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Impact of Disaster Area Extensions:

When a region is declared a disaster area, tax due dates may be extended. For comprehensive information on whether your area qualifies as a disaster zone, along with revised filing extension dates, please refer to the following resources:

FEMA: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations
IRS: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations

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