The regular federal filing deadline is April 15. For the 2025 tax year, the deadline was April 15, 2026. If you filed an extension, your return is due October 15, 2026. Returns for the 2026 tax year are due April 15, 2027.
Key federal tax dates
| Date | What is due |
|---|---|
| April 15, 2026 | 2025 tax return and tax payment due; Q1 2026 estimated tax payment |
| June 15, 2026 | Q2 2026 estimated tax payment |
| September 15, 2026 | Q3 2026 estimated tax payment |
| October 15, 2026 | Extended 2025 returns due |
| January 15, 2027 | Q4 2026 estimated tax payment |
| Late January 2027 | Employers send W-2 forms |
| April 15, 2027 | 2026 tax return and payment due |
Extensions
Filing Form 4868 gives you six more months to file, but not to pay. Taxes owed are still due by the original deadline, and interest accrues on any unpaid balance.
Penalties for missing the deadline
- Failure to file: 5% of unpaid tax for each month, up to 25%.
- Failure to pay: 0.5% of unpaid tax per month, up to 25%.
- If you are owed a refund, there is generally no penalty for filing late, but the refund claim expires three years after the due date.