When Are Taxes Due? Tax Day and Other 2023 Tax Deadlines
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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.
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. And remember that just because you might not be hit with a penalty for filing late, that doesn't mean you should not file your return at all. The IRS has a strict definition of who has a filing obligation based on annual income, among other factors.
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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, people affected by natural disasters, or American living abroad, 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. » 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. Tax deadline for Americans living abroad. Taxpayers who live or work outside of the U.S. are granted an automatic two-month extension from April to timely file. In 2023, taxes for this group are due by June 15. | |
July 17 | Deadline to claim 2019 tax refund. This is the last day to file a 2019 tax return to claim a refund. Per the IRS, there is an estimated $1.5 billion in unclaimed refunds from the 2019 tax year, with the average median refund being $893. | |
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. SEP and Simple IRA, Solo 401(k) contribution deadline. Those who have established any of the self-employment retirement plans listed above and who timely filed for an extension in April have until Oct. 16 to make a final contribution to these plans for the 2022 tax year. | |
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 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 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 | Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia and Wakulla counties. | Feb. 15, 2024.* |
Georgia | Butts, Crisp, Henry, Jasper, Meriwether, Newton, Pike, Spalding, and Troup counties. | Oct. 16, 2023. |
Georgia | Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Bulloch, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Echols, Emanuel, Glynn, Jeff Davis, Jenkins, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, Screven, Tattnall, Thomas, Tift, Ware, and Wayne counties. | Feb. 15, 2024.* |
Hawaii | Maui and Hawaii counties. | Feb. 15, 2024.* |
Indiana | Allen, Benton, Clinton, Grant, Howard, Johnson, Lake, Monroe, Morgan, Owen, Sullivan and White counties. | July 31, 2023. |
Maine | All counties. | Feb. 15, 2024.* |
Massachusetts | All counties. | Feb. 15, 2024.* |
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. |
South Carolina | All counties. | Feb. 15, 2024.* |
Tennessee | Cannon, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Rutherford, Tipton, and Wayne counties. | July 31, 2023. |
*Only for taxpayers who already have a valid 2023 income tax extension and for certain quarterly and business tax payments. See the IRS website for more details and applicable dates. | ||
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
3 tax moves to consider before the next 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 (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.
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 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 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.
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.
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