Upcoming dates
- May 9 Mother’s Day
- May 17 Individual income tax returns for 2020 are due
- May 31 Memorial Day
When Are Tax Returns Due for Individuals?
Tax day for individual tax returns (i.e., Form 1040) is Monday, May 17, 2021. This is the tax deadline to file your federal income tax return. The IRS extended the tax deadline from April 15, 2021.
What to Do if You Are Not Ready to File your 2020 Tax Return by May 17?
You do not need to file the tax return on May 17th but to avoid late filing penalties you must request a tax extension (IRS Form 4868) by May 17, 2021. Your tax return will then be due on Oct. 15, 2021. It is important to note that your tax bill will still be due on May 17, 2021. Getting a tax extension provides more time to file your tax return, but it does not provide more time to pay your taxes.
Tax deadline for quarterly estimated payments due in 2021
The IRS requires quarterly estimated tax payments from many people whose income isn’t subject to payroll withholding tax (usually the self-employed, independent contractors, or people with investment earnings).
For estimated taxes, the answer to “when are taxes due?” varies: The year is divided into four payment periods, and each period has its own payment due date.
| If you earned income during this period | Estimated tax payment deadline |
| Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2020 | Jan. 15, 2021 |
| Jan. 1 – Mar. 31, 2021 | April 15 |
| April 1 – May 31, 2021 | July 15 |
| June 1 – Aug. 31, 2021 | Sept. 15 |
| Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2021 | Jan. 15, 2022 |
Estimated Tax Payments Due to the State may have different payment deadlines
State Taxing Authorities may have different due dates than the IRS requires. For instance, California’s Estimated Tax Payment Due Dates for 2021 are:
Your tax payments are due in 4 payments. California differs from federal. To avoid a penalty, you must pay on or before the below dates.
| Payment | Amount | Due Date |
| 1 | 30% | April 15, 2021 |
| 2 | 40% | June 15, 2021 |
| 3 | 0% | September 15, 2021 |
| 4 | 30% | January 18, 2022 |
Moskowitz LLP is a tax law and accounting firm that has dedicated over 30 years to representing individuals and businesses with civil and criminal tax problems, cleaning up accounting and tax messes, and providing tax and accounting advisory services. We offer practical and affordable tax and accounting solutions, business services, estate planning, and administration.
Remember a blog post or email blast is not a substitution for obtaining personal legal and tax consultation. This information is not intended to be legal or tax advice nor does it form an attorney-client relationship between us.
Contact us with your tax questions.