# What to Know About Tax Deadlines for 2026 Tax season can feel overwhelming, but knowing a few key dates can make it much easier to stay on track. The **2026 federal tax filing season began on January 26, 2026**, when the IRS started accepting 2025 tax returns. This year also marks **40 years of electronic filing**, and the IRS continues to encourage people to file online and use direct deposit to speed up processing and receive refunds faster. Whether you like to file early or tend to wait until the deadline, here’s what to know for the year ahead. ## What is the Federal Tax Deadline for 2026? The deadline to file your 2025 federal tax return (Form 1040) and pay any taxes owed is **Wednesday, April 15, 2026.** This is the same date as the typical April 15 deadline each year, unless it falls on a weekend or holiday. This date is also the deadline to: - Request a filing extension (Form 4868) — see below - Pay any taxes you owe to avoid interest and penalties **Disaster relief exception:** The IRS has extended many federal tax deadlines to May 1, 2026, for individuals and businesses in parts of Washington State affected by severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that began in December 2025. ## What is the Tax Deadline if You File for an Extension? If you can’t finish your federal return by April 15, you can file Form 4868 to request an automatic six-month extension. Extended federal tax filing due date: **Thursday, October 15, 2026** **Important:** An extension gives you more time to _file_, not more time to _pay_. If you expect to owe taxes, you should still estimate and pay what you can by April 15 to reduce interest and penalties. ## When are State Taxes Due? Most states follow the same **April 15, 2026** deadline, but some states have different dates: - Delaware: April 30, 2026 - Hawaii: April 21, 2026 - Iowa: April 30, 2026 - Louisiana: May 15, 2026 - New Mexico: April 30, 2026 - Oklahoma: April 20, 2026 - South Carolina: May 1, 2026 - Virginia: May 1, 2026 ## Should I File My Taxes Early? It’s almost always a good idea to start preparing as soon as you receive all W-2s, 1099s, 1098s, and other forms you need. Early filing gives you time to: - Track down missing tax forms - Find out whether you’re getting a refund (so you can plan for it) - Pay any amount due ahead of April 15 to minimize interest and penalties Fastest refunds: Filing electronically and choosing direct deposit is the quickest way to get your money back. The IRS also offers free filing options for many taxpayers who qualify. ## What Happens if I Miss the Tax Deadline? There is no penalty for filing a tax return after the deadline if you don’t owe taxes or if you are owed a refund. If you owe taxes and don’t pay by the tax filing deadline, the amount owed but not paid is subject to interest and penalties. So it’s important to pay as much as you can by the filing deadline to reduce the interest and penalties you’ll have to pay. You can then apply for an [**IRS payment plan**](https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-payment-agreement-application) or [**installment agreement**](https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f9465.pdf) to pay off your outstanding balance over time. If you can’t afford to pay what you owe, you might qualify for an offer in compromise to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount owed. The [**IRS has a tool**](https://irs.treasury.gov/oic_pre_qualifier/) you can use to see if you qualify for an offer in compromise. ## When are Tax Refunds Sent? The IRS issues most refunds within **about 21 days** of receiving your return if you file electronically and choose direct deposit. You can check your refund status with the IRS [**Where’s My Refund?** Tool.](https://www.irs.gov/wheres-my-refund) You’ll need: - Your Social Security number - Your filing status - Your exact refund amount ## Key Tax Deadlines in 2026 Here’s a quick calendar of the most important dates in 2026 for tax filing: - **January 15, 2026:** Fourth quarter 2025 estimated tax payment due - **January 26, 2026:** IRS begins accepting 2025 tax returns - **April 15, 2026:** Tax filing deadline for federal income tax returns - **April 15, 2026:** Deadline to file Form 4868 to request a tax filing extension - **April 15, 2026:** First quarter 2026 estimated tax payment due - **June 15, 2026:** Second quarter 2026 estimated tax payment due - **September 15, 2026:** Third quarter 2026 estimated tax payment due - **October 15, 2026:** Deadline to file a 2025 tax return if you filed for an extension - **January 15, 2027:** Fourth quarter 2026 estimated tax payment due Being aware of these key federal and state tax deadlines will help you avoid penalties and make the most of your return. Start gathering your documents, take advantage of IRS tools and free filing options if eligible, and plan ahead for any payments you owe. ### Jenny Leight Jenny Leight supports Business Development & Strategy at Carefull, the first financial safety platform designed to protect aging adults and their families from elder fraud, scams, and money mistakes.