Key dates for the US tax year 2021
Here we outline the key dates for the 2021 tax year
The last tax year started on 1 January 2020 and ended on 31 December 2019.
Key tax dates
Deadline
For employees who work for tips. If you received $20 or more in tips in December, you must report it to your employer using Form 4070.
You should report your tips on the 10th of every month throughout the year.
January 10 2021
If tax is automatically deducted by your employer, you probably don’t need to worry about this deadline.
However, if you didn't pay your income tax for the year 2019 through withholding (or didn't pay in enough tax that way), you must use Form 1040ES.
For example, if you’re self-employed or a landlord, you need to pay your final installment for the year 2020. You don't have to make this payment if you file your 2020 return Form 1040 or 1040-SR and pay any tax due by January 31, 2021.
January 15 2021
If you didn't pay your last installment of estimated tax by January 15, you may choose (but aren't required) to file your income tax return (Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR) for 2020 by January 31. Filing your return and paying any tax due by January 31 prevents any penalty for late payment of the last installment.
All businesses. Give annual information statements to recipients of certain payments you made during 2020. You can use the appropriate version of Form 1099 or other information return. Form 1099 can be issued electronically with the consent of the recipientFebruary 1 2021.
Section 6071(c) requires you to file Form 1099-NEC on or before February 1, 2021, using either paper or electronic filing procedures.
January 31 2021
If you worked for tips. If you received $20 or more in tips during the month of January you should report them to your employer on IRS Form 4070 (Employee’s Report of Tips to Employer).
February 10 2021
Deadline for individuals.
If you claimed an exemption from income tax withholding last year on Form W4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, you must file a new Form W4 by this date to continue your exemption for another year.
February 18 2021
Deadline for businesses to submit any other 1099 forms (1099-MISC, 1099-B, 1099-DIV, 1099-INT and etc.) and 1096, if filing on paper. These documents relate to business transactions that aren’t covered by W2 (anything that falls outside of tips and wages). If filing electronically, the deadline is March 31.
February 28 2021
This is the deadline for farmers and fishermen to file 2020 income tax return (Form 1040) and pay any tax due. However, you have until April 15 to file if you paid your 2020 estimated tax by January 17, 2021.
March 2 2021
Employees Who Work for Tips. If you received $20 or more in tips during the month of February, you should report them to your employer. Use IRS Form 4070 (Employee’s Report of Tips to Employer).
March 10 2021
Forms 1042-S, whether filed on paper or electronically, must be filed with the IRS by March 15, 2021. You also must furnish Form 1042-S to the recipient of the income by March 15, 2021.
March 15 2021
Deadline for corporate tax returns. Corporations who use the calendar year as their tax year (i.e. their deadlines don’t straddle 2019 and 2020) are eligible for a 6 month extension but must apply for it by this date.
March 16 2021
Deadline for electronic Filing of Forms 1097, 1098, 1099 (not including 1099-NEC), 3921, 3922, and W-2GS. This date applies only if you file these forms electronically.
March 31 2021
Employees Who Work for Tips: If you got $20 or more in tips during the month of March, you should report them to your employer using IRS Form 4070.
April 10 2021
Last day to file an original or amended tax return from 2017 and claim a rebate unless you have an extension, then this is October 15, 2021.
April 15 2021
File a 2020 income tax return (Form 1040-SR) and pay any tax due.
Last day to contribute to an Individual Retirement or Health Savings Account (IRA/HSA) and have it considered retroactive to 2019. Finally, it’s the deadline for the first quarterly estimated tax payment of 2019.
April 15 2021
Employees Who Work for Tips. If you received $20 or more in tips during the month of April, you should report them to your employer using IRS Form 4070.
May 10 2021
Deadline for non-profit organizations to submit details to the IRS or request an extension. These organizations are required to submit a Form 990 or information return so IRS can evaluate their operations and insure they’re exempt from federal tax.
May 15 2021
Employees Who Work for Tips. If you received $20 or more in tips during May, you should report them to your employer using IRS Form 4070.
June 10 2021
Second quarter estimated payments are due on this date.
Tax returns from taxpayers staying outside US on 15th of April can be filed with automatic extension by 15th of June.
June 15 2021
Employees Who Work for Tips. If you received $20 or more in tips during June, you should report them to your employer using IRS Form 4070.
July 10 2021
Employees Who Work for Tips. If you received $20 or more in tips during July, you should report them to your employer using IRS Form 4070.
August 10 2021
Employees Who Work for Tips. If you received $20 or more in tips during June, you should report them to your employer using IRS Form 4070.
September 10 2021
Third quarter estimated tax payments are due. If an extension was requested on corporate, trust income or partnership tax returns for the year 2020, this is the final deadline for filing.
September 15 2021
If you’re self-employed or a small business owner, this is your last chance to set up a SIMPLE IRA for the year 2021. SIMPLE IRAs (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees Individual Retirement Account) are Individual Retirement Accounts for small companies and their employees and are designed to be cheaper and easier to maintain than their more corporate counterparts.
October 1 2021
Employees Who Work for Tips. If you received $20 or more in tips during June, you should report them to your employer using IRS Form 4070.
October 10 2021
Deadline for filing tax return if you filed extension on 4828 form before 15th of April and FBAR (if applicable).
Оctober 15 2021
Employees Who Work for Tips. If you received $20 or more in tips during June, you should report them to your employer using IRS Form 4070.
November 10 2021
Last day to make any tax moves for the year.
Note: If any deadline falls on a weekend or bank holiday, the due date will be the next working day.
December 31 2021