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

Tax Day was April 18, 2023. See the tax deadline for extensions, when taxes are due for estimated payments, and moves to make before next year.
Tina Orem
Sabrina Parys
By Sabrina Parys and  Tina Orem 
Updated
Edited by Chris Hutchison

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When are taxes due in 2023?

The IRS began accepting and processing tax returns for the 2022 tax year on Jan. 23, 2023. April 18, 2023, tax day, was the deadline for filing a federal income tax return. This was also the last day to request a six-month tax extension using Form 4868.

For those who filed 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 determined whether it was on time.

Internal Revenue Service. Topic No. 301, When, How, and Where to File. Accessed Apr 5, 2023.

Self-employed workers and other people who pay estimated taxes have another set of deadlines to keep in mind. Estimated taxes are typically collected four times a year: in January, April, June and September.

What if I missed the tax filing deadline?

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.

When are taxes due if I requested a tax extension?

If you requested a tax extension, your federal tax return will be due Oct. 16, 2023. You must have filed Form 4868 by tax day (April 18) to be eligible for the extension. Getting a tax 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 tax deadline. Interest and penalties apply to tax bills owed after April 18, and they add up until your balance is paid.

Note that 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.

Some people, such as certain military members or people affected by natural disasters, may be eligible for automatic extensions.

2023 tax deadlines and due dates

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

January 17

Estimated tax payments due for 4th Quarter. This is the last day to pay estimated taxes for income earned September 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022. Generally applies to self-employed workers and taxpayers whose withholding does not cover enough of their tax liability.

» MORE: Learn more about how estimated tax payments work.

January 23

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

January 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 January 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: Still waiting for your W-2? Here are some steps to take.

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

April 3

RMD deadline. Those who turned 72 years old in 2022 may need to take their first required minimum distribution, or RMD, by April 3, 2023.

» MORE: What are required minimum distributions, and how do they work?

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. Remember, a tax extension gives you more time to submit your return, not pay your taxes. 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).

Estimated taxes due for 1st Quarter. Estimated tax payments on income earned during the first quarter of the year (January 1, 2023, through March 31, 2023) are due today.

» MORE: How to file for a tax extension in 2023.

June 15

Estimated taxes due for 2nd Quarter. Estimated tax payments on income earned during the second quarter of the year (April 1, 2023, through May 31, 2023) are due today.

September 15

Estimated taxes due for 3rd Quarter. Estimated tax payments on income earned during the third quarter of the year (June 1, 2023, through August 31, 2023) are due today.

October 16

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

December 31

401(k) contributions deadline. If you contribute to an employer-sponsored retirement plan like a traditional or Roth 401(k), December 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. If you’re required to take RMDs, you must do so by December 31; this also applies to folks who took their initial RMD in April.

When are state income taxes due?

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. Some states, such as Illinois and Ohio, automatically extend the state tax return deadline to Oct. 16, 2023, if a person's federal tax extension is approved. Some states might require taxpayers to apply online or submit an additional form. Check with your state's taxes and revenue authority for the details.

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

Which states have extended federal tax deadlines?

In 2023, 10 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 storm 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.

See the for more details.

State

Affected counties

Extended tax-filing deadline

Alabama

Autauga, Barbour, Chambers, Conecuh, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Greene, Hale, Mobile, Morgan, Sumter and Tallapoosa counties.

Oct. 16, 2023.

Arkansas

Cross, Lonoke and Pulaski counties.

July 31, 2023.

California

Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Del Norte, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Lake, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sierra, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne and Yuba counties.

Oct. 16, 2023.

Florida

Broward county.

Aug. 15, 2023.

Georgia

Butts, Crisp, Henry, Jasper, Meriwether, Newton, Pike, Spalding, and Troup counties.

Oct. 16, 2023.

Indiana

Allen, Benton, Clinton, Grant, Howard, Johnson, Lake, Monroe, Morgan, Owen, Sullivan and White counties.

July 31, 2023.

Mississippi

Carroll, Humphreys, Monroe and Sharkey counties.

July 31, 2023.

New York

Erie, Genesee, Niagara, St. Lawrence, and Suffolk counties.

May 15, 2023.

Oklahoma

McClain and Pottawatomie counties.

Aug. 31, 2023.

Tennessee

Cannon, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Rutherford, Tipton, and Wayne counties.

July 31, 2023.

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

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4 tax moves to consider before the next tax deadline

1. File your 2019 tax return (yes, 2019)

If you were due a refund for the 2019 tax year but didn't file a tax return, you have until July 17, 2023, to submit that old Form 1040 and claim your money. So if you haven’t filed, get to work! The IRS says there is $1.5 billion in unclaimed 2019 refunds. Miss the July deadline, and the U.S. Treasury gets to keep your money.

2. 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 (and even more if you're 50 or older; read more on 401(k) contribution limits here). 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.

3. Contribute to or open an IRA by tax day

Contributions to a traditional IRA can be tax-deductible. You have until the tax deadline 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.

4. 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 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.

Frequently asked questions

The final day to file your federal income tax return was April 18, 2023. This was also the last day to request a six-month tax extension by filing Form 4868. If you haven't filed, the IRS says do it as soon as possible to limit the penalties and interest you may have to pay. If you're due a federal refund, though, there is no penalty for filing late. The sooner you file, the sooner your refund can be processed.

Most taxpayers face state income taxes, which are typically also due by the federal tax deadline. 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.

Tax-filing resources

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