When Are Taxes Due? Tax Day and Other 2023 Tax Deadlines
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Here's a cheat sheet for all the important tax deadlines in 2023, from your federal income tax return due date to estimated tax payments.
When are taxes due in 2023?
April 18, 2023, is tax day, the federal deadline for filing a 2022 federal income tax return. This is also the last day to request a six-month tax extension using Form 4868. The IRS began to accept and process tax returns on Jan. 23, 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.
When are taxes due if I request a tax extension?
If you file Form 4868 to request a tax extension, your federal tax return will be due Oct. 16, 2023. You must file 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. You will still need to estimate your taxes owed and pay the sum by April 18.
Some people, such as certain military members or people affected by natural disasters, may be eligible for automatic extensions. For example, some people and businesses in California, Georgia and Alabama affected by natural disasters will have their federal return and estimated tax filing deadlines extended to Oct. 16, 2023.
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. » MORE: How to file taxes this year. | |
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. | |
» MORE: 10 ways to make an IRS payment
When are state income taxes due?
State income tax due dates typically follow the federal deadline, but some exceptions exist. For example, residents of Virginia get until May 1 to file their state returns. Check with your state's taxes and revenue authority for further information.
» MORE: Curious about your state income taxes? Check your state's tax rate here
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6 tax moves to consider before the 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 only have until April 18 (tax day) to submit that old Form 1040 and claim your money. So if you haven’t filed, get to work! Miss the tax deadline, and the U.S. Treasury gets to keep your money.
2. Max out your 401(k) by Dec. 31
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.
If you didn't get a chance to contribute to a 401(k) in 2022, it's never a bad idea to start thinking ahead. In 2023, you can contribute up to $22,500 (and up to $30,000 if you're 50 or older).
3. Contribute to or open an IRA by tax day
Contributions to a traditional IRA can be tax-deductible. You have until the April 18, 2023, tax deadline to contribute to an IRA, either Roth or traditional, for the 2022 tax year. The maximum contribution amount for either type of IRA in 2022 is $6,000 — or $7,000 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 April 18, 2023, tax deadline to contribute to an HSA for the 2022 tax year. The 2022 limits were $3,650 for an individual HSA owner and $7,300 for a family. If you're 55 or older, you can put an extra $1,000 in your HSA.
5. File for an extension by Tax Day (but still pay)
If you can't finish your return by the April 18 tax deadline, file IRS Form 4868. This will buy most taxpayers until Oct. 16 to file their tax returns. See more about how extensions work.
Note: A tax extension gets you more time to file your return, not more time to pay your taxes. You still must pay any tax you owe, or a good estimate of that amount, by the tax deadline. Include that payment with your extension request or you could face a late-payment penalty on the taxes due.
Tax-filing resources
2022–2023 federal tax rates and brackets: See what federal tax bracket you're in.
Check out state income tax rates: You might have a state tax return to file this year, too.
Learn about free filing options: IRS Free File and VITA are just a few options for free tax prep.
How to get an extension: See what forms you have to fill out and what an extension gets you.
Find tax software that works for you: See our picks for this year and how much they cost.
How estimated tax payments work: Paying this way can help avoid penalties and interest.
How a 401(k) works: See how these retirement plans can cut your tax bill.
