When Are Taxes Due? Tax Day and Other 2023 Tax Deadlines

April 18, 2023, was tax day, the deadline for filing a federal income tax return. If you requested a six-month tax extension using Form 4868, that deadline was Monday, Oct. 16, 2023.

For those who file last minute, the IRS will consider your paper return on time if it was properly addressed, had enough postage, was postmarked and put in the mail by the due date. For e-filers, the agency says the date and time in your time zone when your return is transmitted determines whether it is on time^[0]

» Skip down to see which states have extended federal tax deadlines in 2023.

If you didn't finish your return and didn't request an extension by the April 18 tax deadline, the IRS encourages you to file ASAP to limit penalties and interest. If you can't pay your tax bill in full, you can set up an installment plan with the IRS.

If you're due a refund, there's no penalty for filing late, but consider filing quickly anyway to get your money back sooner^[0]

If you requested a tax extension by April 18, your federal tax return was due Oct. 16, 2023. You must have filed Form 4868 by tax day (April 18) to be eligible for the extension. Getting an extension gives you more time to file, but it does not give you more time to pay your taxes. Any tax you owe, or a good estimate of that amount, was due by the April deadline. Interest and penalties apply to tax bills owed after April 18, and they add up until your balance is paid.

If you submitted a full or partial payment of your tax bill using a debit/credit card, Direct Pay, or EFTPS by the deadline, and indicated that the payment was for a tax extension, Form 4868 was not required. Make sure to keep the payment confirmation number for your records^[0]

Some people, such as certain military members, people affected by natural disasters, or Americans living abroad, may be eligible for automatic extensions. See more below on which states have extended filing deadlines.

State income tax due dates typically follow the federal deadline, but some exceptions exist. Residents of Virginia, for example, typically get until May 1 to file their state returns.

The rules for requesting a state tax extension can also vary. Illinois and Ohio, for example, automatically extend the state tax return deadline to Oct. 16, 2023, if a person's federal tax extension is approved, while other states might require taxpayers to apply online or submit an additional form. Your state's tax department is the easiest way to determine your state income tax deadline and how to file for a state tax extension.

» MORE: Curious about your state income taxes? Check your state's tax rate here

Which states have federal tax deadline extensions in 2023?

Several states have extended deadlines for federal individual income, business, and quarterly tax filings as a result of FEMA-declared natural disasters.

Generally, only people living and businesses located in counties affected by the disaster are eligible for this relief, but you may also qualify if your tax preparer lives in the affected county and cannot file or pay your taxes as a result of the disaster, or if the tax paperwork you need to complete your return or pay your taxes is located in the disaster area^[0]

Note: State income tax return deadlines may not be extended; check each state's tax revenue website for more information.

» MORE: 10 ways to make an IRS payment

Here are a few more 2023 tax deadlines — and not all of them involve tallying up with the IRS.

Jan. 23

• Tax filing season begins. The IRS began to accept and process federal tax returns Jan. 23. Note that if you applied for certain credits, like the earned income tax credit or the additional child tax credit, the agency will not issue your refund until at least mid-February — no matter how early you file.

» MORE: Find popular tax credits and deductions

Jan. 31

• Form W-2 deadline. Employers must mail or furnish W-2 forms to employees who worked for them in 2022 by this date.

• 1099 deadlines. The IRS requires that certain information returns, such as the 1099-NEC, 1099-K and 1099-INT, be issued or mailed by Jan. 31. This means, for example, if you earned a certain income from interest in 2022 or are a freelancer who made $600 or more in non-employee earnings, you should expect a document in your inbox or in the mail outlining those earnings around this time. You’ll need to reference it when you file your taxes.

» MORE: An overview of the key 2023 tax forms and publications.

Feb. 15

• Form W-4 deadline for tax-exempt status. If you were exempt from tax withholding in 2022, this is the deadline to file a new Form W-4 with your employer if you intend to reclaim the exemption for 2023.

• 1099 deadlines (continued). Another set of 1099 deadlines: Informational returns like the 1099-Bs (for income earned from the sale of certain securities) and certain 1099-MISC forms must be sent to recipients by this date. The IRS has more details about information returns here.

» MORE: How much do you have to make to file taxes? Read our guide

April 18: tax day

• Federal tax filing deadline. This is the date by which you must file your taxes with the IRS. This is also the deadline to file for a tax extension. Even if you submit a request for an extension, you must pay your taxes owed by April 18.

• HSA and IRA contribution deadline. The last day to make contributions to your health savings account or a Roth/traditional individual retirement account for the tax year 2022. The limit for HSA contributions in 2022 is $3,650 for individuals and $7,300 for family coverage. The contribution limit for IRAs in 2022 is $6,000 ($7,000 if you’re 50 or older).

» MORE: How to file back taxes and past-due returns

Oct. 16

• Tax extension deadline. Filing for an extension by April 18 gives you until Oct. 16 to finalize your returns. If you miss this deadline, your return is considered late by the IRS and the penalties will begin to pile on.

• SEP and Simple IRA, Solo 401(k) contribution deadline. Those who have established a self-employment retirement plan and who filed for an extension in April have until Oct. 16 to make a final contribution to these plans for the 2022 tax year.

Dec. 31

• 401(k) contributions deadline. If you contribute to an employer-sponsored retirement plan such as a traditional or Roth 401(k), Dec. 31 is typically the last day to make a qualified contribution. For the 2023 tax year, the most you can contribute is $22,500 ($30,000 if you’re 50 or older).

• Second RMD deadline. Those who turned 72 years old in 2022 may need to take their second required minimum distribution by Dec. 31. The first required minimum distribution for those who turned 72 in 2023 was April 1^[0]

  Internal Revenue Service. Retirement Plan and IRA Required Minimum Distributions FAQs. Accessed Oct 11, 2023.

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• Charitable donations deadline: If you itemize deductions and want to donate to charity to reduce your taxable income, this is the last day to do it for the 2023 tax year.

» MORE: How to track the status of your tax refund

Tax filing season typically runs from late January to mid-October (for those with an extension). In 2024, the tax deadline for submitting 2023 tax returns to the IRS is April 15. Residents of Maine and Massachusetts will have until April 17, 2024, due to state holidays.

3 tax moves to consider before the 2024 tax deadline

1. Max out your 401(k)

Contributions to a traditional 401(k) reduce your total taxable income for the year. For example, let’s say you make $65,000 a year and put $10,000 into your 401(k). Instead of paying income taxes on the entire $65,000 you earned, you’ll only owe taxes on $55,000 of your salary. In other words, saving for the future lets you shield that $10,000 from taxes. Many employers offer to match a portion of what you save, meaning that if you contribute enough to your account, you'll also nab some free money.

In 2023, you can contribute up to $22,500 (and up to $30,000 if you're 50 or older) by Dec. 31. (Read more on 401(k) contribution limits here.)

» MORE: Estimate your tax bill with our free tax calculator

2. Contribute to or open an IRA by tax day

Contributions to a traditional IRA can be tax-deductible. You have until the tax deadline in 2024 to contribute to an IRA — either Roth or traditional — for the 2023 tax year. The maximum contribution amount for either type of IRA in 2023 is $6,500, or $7,500 if you're age 50 or older. See all the rules here.

» MORE: Learn how an IRA works and where to get one

3. Contribute to your health savings account

This medical account, available to individuals who have a high-deductible health plan, provides a tax-saving way to pay for out-of-pocket costs. You have until the 2024 tax deadline to contribute to an HSA for the 2023 tax year. The 2023 limits are $3,850 for an individual HSA owner and $7,750 for a family. If you're 55 or older, you can put an extra $1,000 in your HSA.

» MORE: Learn more about the tax effects of HSAs and flexible savings accounts

Tax filing resources