--- title: "2026 Tax Tips and Deadlines: What You Need to Know" description: Knowing the 2026 tax deadlines is an important part of owning your small business. Get ahead of the game by marking these dates on your calendar today. image: https://smartbizbank.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/tax-tips-1-3-1-2.jpg --- - [Share](https://smartbizbank.com/blog/tax-tips-and-deadlines#) - - - - [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://smartbizbank.com/blog/tax-tips-and-deadlines](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://smartbizbank.com/blog/tax-tips-and-deadlines) # 2026 Tax Tips and Deadlines: What You Need to Know January 21, 2025 By [Devanny Haley ](https://smartbizbank.com/blog/author/devanny-haley) Tax season can be stressful for [small business owners](https://smartbizbank.com/blog/tax-basics-for-small-business), but it’s also an opportunity to get your things in order and ensure that you are operating legally. Whether you are preparing to apply for a small business loan or simply staying on top of your IRS obligations, meeting tax deadlines, or filing for an extension, knowing the 2026 deadlines may help you avoid penalties and maintain your business’s financial stability. To make things easier, we have broken down the essential 2026 tax deadlines and highlighted forms you should become familiar with. [![See if you pre-qualify](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21458256/3d216d78-601b-4bc6-b9d5-3df52894e921.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21458256/3d216d78-601b-4bc6-b9d5-3df52894e921) Whether you are [filing small business taxes for the first time](https://smartbizbank.com/blog/tips-for-a-small-business-owner-filing-your-first-tax-return) or you plan to apply for a small business loan, staying compliant with tax deadlines or showing proof of extension may help improve your odds of getting the funds that you need.  ## Tax forms and deadlines for 2026 Here are some key dates and forms to keep on your radar this year. These forms are also typically required when applying for a small business loan. ### January 15, 2026: Wrap up 2025 with Q4 estimated payments If you are self-employed or pay quarterly taxes, this is the deadline to submit your fourth-quarter estimated tax payment for 2025. Missing this date may result in interest or penalties, so you need to stay ahead.  ### January 31, 2026: Don’t leave your employees (or contractors) hanging By this date, employers must provide [Form W-2](https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-2) to employees and [Form 1099-NEC](http://irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1099-nec) to independent contractors for work performed in 2025. It’s also the deadline to submit these forms to the IRS. Staying on top of this helps ensure your team can file their personal taxes while also keeping your company compliant.  ### March 16, 2026: Partnerships and S Corporations This is the tax return deadline for: - [Form 1065 (Partnerships)](https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1065) – File to report income, credits, and deductions. - [Form 1120-S (S Corporations)](https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1120-s) – S Corporations must file to report income and tax obligations. ## Filing for an automatic extension If you need more time, consider filing [Form 7004](https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-7004) to request an automatic extension.  It is important to remember that an extension to file doesn’t mean an extension to pay. Your taxes will still be due on the same day if you file this form, but you can get some extra time to get your documentation in order. ### April 15, 2026: Individual and corporate tax day (the big one) Perhaps the most dreaded day of the year, by April 15, you’ll typically need to: - File your [Form 1040](https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040) (Individual Tax Return) if you're a sole proprietor or self-employed. - Submit [Form 1120](https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1120) (C Corporation Tax Return) if your business is structured as a C-corporation. - Pay your first-quarter estimated tax payment for 2025. Need extra time? File [Form 4868](https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-4868) to extend your personal tax return. Remember that while this may give you more time to file, any taxes owed are still due in April. ### June 16, 2026: Second quarter estimated tax payment By this date, you should have your second-quarter taxes for 2026 in order. This generally keeps your tax obligations spread out evenly throughout the year, helping to prevent surprises in the future.  Partnerships will use [Form 8813](https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-8813) quarterly payment voucher and pay any taxes that are due. ### September 15, 2026: The extended deadline for Partnerships and S-Corps If you filed for an extension in March, this is your final deadline to submit partnership or S-corporation tax returns. It’s also the due date for third-quarter estimated tax payments. ### October 15, 2026: Extended individual and corporate returns For those who filed Form 4868 back in April, this is the last call to file your individual or corporate tax returns. No more extensions—everything must be submitted by this date. ### January 15, 2027: Wrap up the year with Q4 payments Start 2027 on the right foot by making your fourth-quarter estimated tax payment for 2026. Need more time? Consider applying for an installment plan If you can’t pay the full amount you owe, the IRS offers installment plans. By filing [Form 9465](https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-9465), you may set up a monthly payment plan, helping you stay in good standing while paying off taxes over time. ## Employer taxes in 2026 If you have employees, there are ongoing employer tax obligations to keep track of: - Income tax withholding from employee wages - FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare) - [FUTA tax (Federal Unemployment)](https://smartbizbank.com/blog/what-are-futa-and-suta-taxes-small-business-owners-have-to-pay) Timely filing of these employer taxes is key to avoiding penalties and keeping your business compliant. You can find more details on the [IRS Employment Tax Forms](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/employment-tax-forms) page. ## Business filing tax tips when applying for a small business loan At SmartBiz Bank®, we know tax season may feel overwhelming, especially for small business owners juggling multiple responsibilities. But staying organized and hitting these deadlines not only helps you avoid penalties but may also strengthen your case when applying for financing. If you have questions about taxes and your application, please reach out to your SmartBiz Relationship Manager. ## Prepay taxes if self-employed If underpaying, file extensions on time and pay estimated taxes owed to avoid or reduce additional tax fees. Obtain E-File Activity reports to confirm taxes have been filed. If you cannot satisfy the full amount owed, a [9465 installment agreement](https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-9465) should be filed as soon as possible to avoid further late fees. After filing, keep clean PDF copies of the returns neatly organized in a safe place for quick access when applying for loans. Create an account on [IRS.gov](http://irs.gov/) to check balances of past taxes. ## Self-file or hire a tax professional? Should you go solo or work with a professional to file your taxes? There are many factors to consider, including the complexity of your tax situation, the time required to gather documents, and the cost. For a detailed look at the pros and cons, check out our article [on tax tips for small businesses](https://smartbizbank.com/blog/tax-tips-for-small-businesses). You'll find insights from real small business owners, plus tips to help you make the best choice for your unique needs. Whether you opt to self-file or work with a tax professional, being prepared is key. A helpful resource, like the [H&R Block® blog](https://www.hrblock.com/tax-center/), provides tips on gathering the essential documents you’ll need, including: - Income - Gross receipts from sales or services - Sales records (for accrual-based taxpayers) - Returns and allowances - Business checking/savings account interest (1099-INT or statement) - Other income - Cost of goods sold (if applicable) - Inventory - Beginning inventory total dollar amount - Inventory purchases - Ending inventory total dollar amount - Items removed for personal purposes - Materials and supplies - Expenses - Advertising - Phones (landline, fax or cell phones related to business) - Computer and internet expenses - Transportation and travel expenses - Local transportation (Mileage log or receipts for public transportation, parking, and tolls) - Travel away from home (Airfare or mileage/actual expense if drove, hotel, meals, taxi, internet connection, tips, etc.) - Commissions paid to subcontractors (File Form 1099-MISC and 1096 as necessary) - Depreciation - Business insurance - Interest expense - Professional fees (Lawyers, accountants, and consultants) - Office supplies - Rent expense - Business-use vehicle lease expense - [Home office deduction](https://smartbizbank.com/blog/how-small-business-owners-can-deduct-a-home-office-from-their-taxes) - Wages paid to employees - Other expenses   ![Q3 Promo E1](https://smartbizbank.com/hubfs/Q3%20Promo%20Email%20Images/Q3%20Promo%20E1.png) ### Access Funds Quickly Apply for a Bank Term Loan from a bank in our trusted network [![See if you pre-qualify](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21458256/08df270b-4561-4437-a5aa-11d47ef08efb.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21458256/08df270b-4561-4437-a5aa-11d47ef08efb) - [Follow SmartBiz](https://smartbizbank.com/blog/tax-tips-and-deadlines#) - - - - - ### Access to the right loan for right now We’re connecting small businesses with SBA, bank term loans, lines of credit, and flexible financing options. [![See if you pre-qualify](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21458256/08df270b-4561-4437-a5aa-11d47ef08efb.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21458256/08df270b-4561-4437-a5aa-11d47ef08efb) ##### Topic - [Business Loans](https://smartbizloans.com/blog/tag/business-loans) - [Business Stories](https://smartbizloans.com/blog/tag/business-stories) - [Marketing](https://smartbizloans.com/blog/tag/marketing) - [Money Management](https://smartbizloans.com/blog/tag/money-management) - [Operations](https://smartbizloans.com/blog/tag/operations) ## Related Posts [ See all blog posts ](https://smartbizbank.com/blog) [Money Management July 01, 2026 ## How to Reforecast Your Budget Based on Summer Trends When you built your company’s budget for this year, you no doubt looked at past data. However, there were probably also some future projections that... Read More ](https://smartbizbank.com/blog/reforecast-your-budget-with-summer-trends-smartbiz-bank) [Money Management June 24, 2026 ## The Counterintuitive Truth About Summer Slowdowns For many small business owners, summer is an uncomfortable time of year. Many consumers travel or spend more time at home, which typically leads to them making fewer... Read More ](https://smartbizbank.com/blog/do-less-this-summer-to-grow-your-business-smartbiz-bank) [Money Management June 22, 2026 ## Small Business Revenue: Determine Where You Stand As a business owner, regularly reviewing your annual revenue gives you a clear picture of your company’s current health and helps you evolve your business strategically so... Read More ](https://smartbizbank.com/blog/small-business-revenue-determine-where-you-stand) ### Smart growth is smart business ## Access to the right loan for right now See if you pre-qualify, without impacting your credit score. 1 [ Apply Now ](https://smartbizbank.com/apply) 1. We conduct a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, in processing your loan application, SmartBiz Bank and the lenders with whom we work will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may impact your credit score. The SmartBiz® Small Business Blog and other related communications from SmartBiz BankSM are intended to provide general information on relevant topics for managing small businesses. Be aware that this is not a comprehensive analysis of the subject matter covered and is not intended to provide specific recommendations to you or your business with respect to the matters addressed. 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