2026 Tax Deadline Calendar for Individuals
All IRS due dates for W-2 employees and individual taxpayers in 2026, including Form 1040 filing, estimated tax payments, and IRA/HSA contribution deadlines.
Individual W-2 employees file Form 1040 by April 15. Most employees have taxes withheld from paychecks, but you may still owe if you have additional income sources. IRA and HSA contributions for the prior year can be made up until the April 15 filing deadline.
Showing 8 deadlines for Individual (W-2 Employee)
Next Deadline
Individual Tax Return Due
52 days
Apr 15
January 2026
Q4 2025 Estimated Tax Payment Due
PaymentFinal quarterly estimated tax payment for 2025
April 2026
Individual Tax Return Due
FilingForm 1040 due for individuals, including Schedule C for sole proprietors and single-member LLCs
Q1 2026 Estimated Tax Payment Due
PaymentFirst quarterly estimated tax payment for 2026
Individual/C-Corp Extension Deadline
ExtensionFile Form 4868 (individuals) or Form 7004 (C-Corps) to request 6-month extension
IRA/HSA Contribution Deadline
PaymentLast day to make 2025 IRA or HSA contributions
June 2026
Q2 2026 Estimated Tax Payment Due
PaymentSecond quarterly estimated tax payment for 2026
September 2026
Q3 2026 Estimated Tax Payment Due
PaymentThird quarterly estimated tax payment for 2026
October 2026
Extended Individual & C-Corp Returns Due
FilingExtended Form 1040 and Form 1120 returns due
Key Tax Tips for Individuals
April 15 Filing Deadline
Form 1040 is due April 15, 2026 for the 2025 tax year. If you cannot file on time, submit Form 4868 for a 6-month extension to October 15. Pay any estimated taxes owed by April 15 to avoid penalties.
IRA/HSA Contribution Window
You have until April 15, 2026 to make IRA and HSA contributions for the 2025 tax year. Traditional IRA contributions may be tax-deductible, and HSA contributions are always pre-tax.
Check Your Withholding
Review your W-4 withholding annually to avoid a surprise tax bill or large refund. Use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator to ensure the right amount is withheld from your paycheck.
2026 Quarterly Estimated Tax Schedule
| Quarter | Income Period | Payment Due |
|---|---|---|
| Q4 2025 | Sep 1 - Dec 31, 2025 | January 15, 2026 |
| Q1 2026 | Jan 1 - Mar 31, 2026 | April 15, 2026 |
| Q2 2026 | Apr 1 - May 31, 2026 | June 15, 2026 |
| Q3 2026 | Jun 1 - Aug 31, 2026 | September 15, 2026 |
| Q4 2026 | Sep 1 - Dec 31, 2026 | January 15, 2027 |
Individual (W-2 Employee) Tax Deadline FAQs
When is the individual tax filing deadline in 2026?
Form 1040 is due April 15, 2026 for the 2025 tax year. If April 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day. You can request a 6-month extension using Form 4868, which moves the filing deadline to October 15.
Do W-2 employees need to make estimated tax payments?
Most W-2 employees do not need to make estimated payments because taxes are withheld from their paychecks. However, if you have significant side income, investment income, or other untaxed earnings, you may need to make quarterly estimated payments to avoid underpayment penalties.
What is the IRA contribution deadline for 2025?
You have until April 15, 2026 to make IRA contributions for the 2025 tax year. The contribution limit is $7,000 ($8,000 if you are 50 or older). Traditional IRA contributions may be tax-deductible depending on your income and whether you have a workplace retirement plan.
What is the HSA contribution deadline for 2025?
HSA contributions for the 2025 tax year can be made until April 15, 2026. The 2025 limit is $4,300 for individual coverage and $8,550 for family coverage, with an additional $1,000 catch-up contribution if you are 55 or older.
What happens if I file my taxes late?
If you owe taxes and file late without an extension, the failure-to-file penalty is 5% of unpaid taxes per month, up to 25%. The failure-to-pay penalty is 0.5% per month. If you are owed a refund, there is no penalty for filing late, but you have 3 years to claim it.
Official IRS References
- IRS Publication 509: Tax Calendars
Official IRS calendar of tax deadlines
- IRS Estimated Taxes Guide
Information on quarterly estimated tax payments
- IRS: When to File
Filing deadlines and extension information
Deadlines may change due to holidays, weekends, or IRS announcements. Always verify current deadlines on IRS.gov.