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When Are Taxes Due? Tax Day and Other 2024 Deadlines

Tax day is Monday, April 15, 2024. If you request an extension, your deadline to file is Oct. 15, 2024. Plus, other tax deadlines you should know.
Tina Orem
Sabrina Parys
By Sabrina Parys and  Tina Orem 
Updated
Edited by Chris Hutchison Reviewed by Raquel Tennant

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The clock is ticking on Tax Day. If you're wondering, "When are taxes due this year?" we have a cheat sheet for every important deadline in 2024 — from your federal income tax return due date to estimated tax payments.

When are taxes due in 2024?

Monday, April 15, 2024, is Tax Day, the deadline for filing a federal income tax return. Due to state holidays, residents of Maine and Massachusetts will have until April 17, 2024. If you request a six-month tax extension using Form 4868 by April 15, the filing deadline is moved to Oct. 15, 2024.

When is the last day to file taxes?

The last day to file your 2023 taxes is April 15, 2024. For those who file last minute, the IRS will consider your paper return on time if it is properly addressed, has enough postage, is 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

Internal Revenue Service. Topic No. 301, When, How, and Where to File. Accessed Mar 6, 2024.
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What if I can't make the tax deadline?

If you think you won't be able to finish your return by the deadline, you can request an extension by that date to score yourself some more time. However, remember that an extension to file is not an extension to pay. For those who think they'll have a tax bill, the IRS encourages you to file and pay an estimate of what you owe, so you can 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 though you might not be hit with a penalty for filing late, you very likely still need to file a return. The IRS has a strict definition of who has to file based on annual income, among other factors.

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

When are state taxes due?

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

For those who need more time, rules for requesting a state tax extension can also vary. Illinois, for example, automatically extends the state tax return deadline to mid-October if a person's federal tax extension is approved. 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

2024 tax deadlines to know

Here are a few more 2024 deadlines — and not all of them involve tallying up with the IRS.

January 12

Free File opens. The IRS partners with brand-name software companies to provide taxpayers who make below a certain income access to free tax-prep and filing software. The Free File program opens and begins accepting returns Jan. 12.

January 29

Tax filing season begins. The IRS begins to accept and process federal tax returns Jan. 29. 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.

January 16

Estimated tax payments due for 4th quarter. This is the last day to pay estimated taxes for income earned Sept. 1, 2023, through Dec. 31, 2023. 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 31

Form W-2 deadline. Employers must mail or furnish W-2 forms to employees who worked for them in 2023 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 2023 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 2023, this is the deadline to file a new Form W-4 with your employer if you intend to reclaim the exemption for 2024.

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 2024 tax forms and publications.

April 15: 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 15.

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 2023. The limit for HSA contributions in 2023 is $3,850 for individuals and $7,750 for family coverage. The contribution limit for IRAs in 2023 is $6,500 ($7,500 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 (Jan. 1, 2024, through March 31, 2024) are due today. »

MORE: How to file for a tax extension in 2024.

June 17

Estimated taxes due for 2nd Quarter. Estimated tax payments on income earned during the second quarter of the year (April 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024) 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 2024, taxes for this group are due by June 17.

Mid-July

Deadline to claim 2020 tax refund. This is typically the final month to file a tax return to claim a refund for a prior-year return going back three years.

September 16

Estimated taxes due for 3rd quarter. Estimated tax payments on income earned during the third quarter of the year (June 1, 2024, through Aug. 31, 2024) are due today.

October 15

Tax extension deadline. Filing for an extension by April 15 gives you until Oct. 15 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. 15 to make a final contribution to these plans for the 2023 tax year.

December 31

401(k) contributions deadline. If you contribute to an employer-sponsored retirement plan like a traditional or Roth 401(k), Dec. 31 is typically the last day to make a qualified contribution. For the 2024 tax year, the most you can contribute is $23,000 ($30,500 if you’re 50 or older).

RMD deadline. If you’re required to take RMDs, you must do so by Dec. 31.

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 2024 tax year.

When are taxes due in October?

Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. You must file Form 4868 either online or by mail by tax day (April 15) 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, is due by the April deadline. Interest and penalties apply to tax bills owed after April 15, and they add up until your balance is paid.

If you submit a full or partial payment of your tax bill using a debit/credit card, Direct Pay, or EFTPS by the deadline and indicate that the payment is for a tax extension, Form 4868 is not required. Make sure to keep the payment confirmation number for your records

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3 moves to make before Tax Day 2024

1. Contribute to or open an IRA

Contributions to a traditional IRA can be tax-deductible. You have until the tax deadline in 2024 (April 15) to contribute to an IRA — either Roth or traditional — for the 2023 tax year.

The maximum you can contribute across all your IRAs in 2023 is $6,500 ($7,500 if age 50 or older). For 2024, the limit is $7,000 ($8,000 if age 50 or older). See all the IRA rules here.

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

2. Top up 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 (April 15) 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. The 2024 limits are $4,150 for individuals and $8,300 for families. If you're 55 or older, you can put an extra $1,000 in your HSA.

3. Plan ahead: Check on your 401(k) contributions

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.

While it's too late to contribute for the 2023 tax year, there's plenty of time to make sure you have a game plan in place for the current year. In 2024, you can contribute up to $23,000 (and up to $30,500 if you're 50 or older) by Dec. 31. Read more on 401(k) contribution limits here.


Tax Day resources

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