Key Tax Deadlines for January 2026

The new year rings in fresh tax deadlines. In January 2026, important due dates for individual taxpayers include estimated tax payments, tip reporting, and essential tax planning. Get ahead by reviewing these critical dates and planning accordingly.

January 2 - Schedule Your Tax Preparation Appointment

With tax season kicking off, January is the ideal time to schedule your tax preparation appointment. Avoid the rush and ensure a smooth filing process by securing your spot early before schedules get too busy.

January 12 - Tip Reporting Requirements

If you're employed in a role involving tips and received more than $20 in tips during December, ensure compliance by reporting these to your employer by January 12. You can fulfill this requirement using IRS Form 4070 or by submitting a signed statement including your name, address, Social Security number, employer’s name, and the total amount of tips received.

Your employer is accountable for withholding FICA taxes and relevant income tax from your regular wages. Should your wages fall short of covering these, the uncollected tax will reflect in box 8 of your W-2, requiring you to resolve any outstanding amounts when filing your annual tax return.

January 15 - Estimated Tax Payment Due

Mark this date to submit your fourth quarter estimated tax installment for the 2025 tax year. Failing to make this payment by January 15 necessitates filing your 2025 tax return and settling any remaining taxes by February 2, 2026, to avoid penalties.

Weekends & Holidays:

If a deadline falls on a weekend or legal holiday, it is automatically extended to the next business day not deemed a holiday itself.

Extensions for Disaster Areas:

Tax relief is available for areas designated as disaster zones, which extends due dates accordingly. Stay informed about these designations and extension dates via these websites:

FEMA: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations
IRS: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations

Share this article...

Want our best tax and accounting tips and insights delivered to your inbox?

Sign up for our newsletter.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .
Let us take your tax and small business needs off your hands today.