Knowing important tax deadlines in 2025 is essential for staying compliant and avoiding late penalties. Whether you’re an individual taxpayer, business owner, freelancer, or part of a corporation, being informed far beyond the typical April 15th tax deadline is key. This guide covers every key tax deadline, from individual tax returns to quarterly filings for businesses. Each section includes deadlines, helpful tips, and ways to prepare.
Tax Deadlines for Individuals
If you’re an individual filer, you may have several 2025 tax deadlines to note in your calendar. Here are important dates to keep in mind if you are a W-2 employee, independent contractor, self-employed individual, gig worker, or retiree.
- January 15, 2025 – Fourth Quarter Estimated Tax Payment: If you’re self-employed or pay estimated taxes throughout the year, the fourth quarter estimated tax payment for 2024 is due on January 15, 2025. Review your annual income to ensure your quarterly payments were adequate. Consider adjusting this payment based on your final income projections for 2024.
- January 15 – January 31, 2025 – 2024 Tax Season Begins: This approximate date will mark when the IRS will begin accepting and processing tax returns.
- January 31, 2025 – Deadline for Many Tax Forms: Employers, businesses, and anyone issuing tax forms have a busy day on January 31, with deadlines for filing and distributing forms W-2, 1099-NEC, 1099-K, 1099-MISC, and others. Plan for potential delays in processing, especially if mailing physical copies. Use e-filing options to speed up submissions.
- February 18, 2025 – Updated W-4 Forms Due: If you claimed exemption from withholding in 2024, you’ll need to file an updated Form W-4 by February 15 to continue the exemption. This applies primarily to employees who believe they will not owe taxes or will get a refund.
- April 1, 2025 – Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Due: If you turned 73 in 2024, April 1, 2025, is the deadline to take your first Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from retirement accounts like traditional IRAs and 401(k)s. Consult with a financial advisor to understand the tax implications of taking two RMDs in the same year, which may increase your taxable income.
- April 15, 2025 – Individual Income Tax Return Deadline: April 15 is the big day for individual taxpayers and sole proprietors. Individual taxpayers need to file their Form 1040 and pay their taxes to avoid penalties.
- April 15, 2025 – Deadline to Request a Tax Extension: Taxpayers have until April 15 to request an extension by submitting Form 4868. If approved, the IRS grants you a six-month extension to October 15, 2025. If you owe taxes, they’re still due on April 15, even if you get an extension for filing. Pay to avoid penalties or interest.
- April 15, 2025 – Deadline to Make IRA and HSA Contributions: Contribute to your IRA or HSA by April 15 to count toward 2024, maximizing tax benefits.
- April 15, 2025 – First Quarter Estimated Tax Payment: The first of four estimated tax payments for 2025 is due April 15. This is crucial for freelancers, independent contractors, or anyone with significant income not subject to withholding.
- April 15, 2025 – Foreign Account Reporting (FBAR): If you have foreign financial accounts with balances over $10,000, the FBAR filing deadline aligns with your income tax deadline, including extensions.
- June 16, 2025 – Second Quarter Estimated Tax Payment: The second quarterly payment deadline for 2025 is June 16. Use this date to review your tax situation, adjusting for changes in income or expenses. For self-employed people, a mid-year check-in with a tax professional can help fine-tune tax strategy for the rest of the year.
- September 15, 2025 – Third Quarter Estimated Tax Payment: September 15 marks the third estimated tax payment for 2025. Adjusting this payment if your income has fluctuated can help avoid surprises when filing your return.
- October 15, 2025 – Final Tax Filing Deadline (Extended): October 15 is the last day for those who filed a six-month extension in April to submit their individual tax returns. This deadline is non-negotiable; missing it could lead to significant penalties.
- December 31, 2025 – Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) Due: Once you take your first RMD for 2024 by April 1, 2025, if you turned 73 in 2024, you must also take your 2025 RMD by the end of that year. This deadline applies to anyone else who is required to take an RMD for 2025 as well.
Tax Deadlines for Businesses
If you’re a business filer, you also have several key tax deadlines to mark in your calendar. Here are important dates to keep in mind if you are a partnership, LLC, C Corp, or S Corp.
- January 15, 2025 – Fourth Quarter Estimated Tax Payment Due: If you’re self-employed or pay estimated taxes throughout the year, the fourth quarter estimated tax payment for 2024 is due on January 15, 2025. Review your annual income to ensure your quarterly payments were adequate. Consider adjusting this payment based on your final income projections for 2024.
- January 15 – January 31, 2025 – 2024 Tax Season Begins: This approximate date will mark when the IRS will begin accepting and processing tax returns.
- January 31, 2025 – Deadline for Many Tax Forms: Employers, businesses, and anyone issuing tax forms have a busy day on January 31, with deadlines for filing and distributing forms W-2, 1099-NEC, 1099-K, 1099-MISC, and others. Plan for potential delays in processing, especially if mailing physical copies. Use e-filing options to speed up submissions.
- March 15, 2025 – Business Entity Deadlines (S Corporations and Partnerships): March 15 is the due date for partnerships and S corporations to file their returns. However, 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. Partnerships must submit Form 1065, which reports business income, deductions, and credits. S corporations file Form 1120-S to report income, gains, losses, deductions, and credits. If you need more time, file Form 7004 to request a six-month extension, moving the deadline to September 15, 2025. Ensure all partners or shareholders receive their Schedule K-1 forms on time, as they’ll need these to file their individual tax returns.
- April 1, 2025 – Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Due: If you turned 73 in 2024, April 1, 2025, is the deadline to take your first Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from retirement accounts like traditional IRAs and 401(k)s. Consult with a financial advisor to understand the tax implications of taking two RMDs in the same year, which may increase your taxable income.
- April 15, 2025 – Individual Income Tax Return Deadline: April 15 is the big day for individual taxpayers and sole proprietors. Individual taxpayers need to file their Form 1040 and pay their taxes to avoid penalties.
- April 15, 2025 – First Quarter Estimated Tax Payment: The first of four estimated tax payments for 2025 is due April 15. This is crucial for freelancers, independent contractors, or anyone with significant income not subject to withholding.
- April 15, 2025 – Taxes for C-Corporations Due: C-corporations must file their tax returns and pay any taxes owed by April 15, 2025. However, 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. C-corps file using Form 1120.
- June 16, 2025 – Second Quarter Estimated Tax Payment: The second quarterly payment deadline for 2025 is June 16. Use this date to review your tax situation, adjusting for changes in income or expenses. For self-employed people, a mid-year check-in with a tax professional can help fine-tune tax strategy for the rest of the year.
- September 15, 2025 – Third Quarter Estimated Tax Payment: September 15 marks the third estimated tax payment for 2025. Adjusting this payment if your income has fluctuated can help avoid surprises when filing your return.
- September 15, 2025 – Deadline for Extended Partnership and S-Corporation Returns: This date marks the deadline for partnerships and S corporations that filed for an extension to submit their tax returns.
- October 15, 2025 – Deadline for Extended C-Corporation Returns: This is the final deadline for C corporations that filed for an extension to submit their tax returns.
- December 31, 2025 – Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) Due: Once you take your first RMD for 2024 by April 1, 2025, if you turned 73 in 2024, you must also take your 2025 RMD by the end of that year. This deadline applies to anyone else who is required to take an RMD for 2025 as well.
Staying Prepared for 2025 Tax Deadlines
Organizing your year around these deadlines reduces stress and potential fines. To stay on top of 2025’s tax obligations, add all relevant deadlines to your calendar or set alerts. Keep track of income statements, receipts, and deductions. Staying informed and proactive about tax deadlines helps ensure you’ll meet requirements smoothly, preserving both your time and peace of mind. Optima Tax Relief is the nation’s leading tax resolution firm with over $3 billion in resolved tax liabilities.
If You Need Tax Help, Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation