Background Information for Using the Tax Calendars

The following brief explanations may be helpful to you in using the tax calendars.

IRS e-services make taxes easier

Now more than ever before, businesses can enjoy the benefits of filing and paying their federal taxes electronically. Whether you rely on a tax professional or handle your own taxes, the IRS offers you convenient programs to make taxes easier.

You can e-file your Form 1040; certain business tax returns such as Forms 1120, 1120S, and 1065; certain employment tax returns such as Forms 940 and 941; certain excise tax returns such as Forms 720, 2290, and 8849; and Form 1099 and other information returns. Visit www.irs.gov/efile for more information.

You can pay taxes online or by phone using the Electronic Federal Tax Payments System (EFTPS). For detailed information about using this free service, see EFTPS, later.

Use these electronic options to make filing and paying taxes easier.

Tax deposits

Some taxes can be paid with the return on which they are reported. However, in many cases, you have to deposit the tax before the due date for filing the return. Tax deposits are figured for periods of time that are shorter than the time period covered by the return. See Publication 15 (Circular E) for the employment tax deposit rules. For the excise tax deposit rules, see Publication 510 or the Instructions for Form 720.

EFTPS

You must use electronic funds transfer to make all federal tax deposits (such as deposits of employment tax, excise tax, and corporate income tax). Generally, electronic fund transfers are made using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS). EFTPS is a free service provided by the Department of Treasury. If you do not want to use EFTPS, you can arrange for your tax professional, financial institution, payroll service, or other trusted third party to make deposits on your behalf.

To get more information or to enroll in EFTPS, call 1-800-555-4477 (business), 1-800-316-6541 (individual), or 1-800-733-4829 (TDD/TTY). You can also visit the EFTPS website at www.eftps.gov. Additional information about EFTPS is also available in Publication 966, Electronic Federal Tax Payment System: A Guide to Getting Started.

Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday

Generally, if a due date for performing any act for tax purposes falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the act is considered to be performed timely if it is performed no later than the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. The term legal holiday means any legal holiday in the District of Columbia. The calendars provided in this publication make the adjustment for Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. But you must make any adjustments for statewide legal holidays, as discussed below.

An exception to this rule for certain excise taxes is noted later under the Excise Tax Calendar.

Statewide holidays

A statewide legal holiday delays a due date for filing a return only if the IRS office where you are required to file is located in that state. A statewide legal holiday does not delay a due date for making a federal tax deposit.

Federal holidays

Federal legal holidays for 2013 are listed below.

Extended due date for Forms 1098, 1099, and W-2 if filed electronically

If you file Forms 1098, 1099, or W-2 electronically, your due date for filing them with the IRS or the Social Security Administration (SSA) will be extended to April 1.

For 2013, the due date for giving the recipient these forms is January 31.

For information about filing Forms 1098, 1099, or W-2G electronically, see Publication 1220, Specifications for Filing Forms 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, 5498, 8935, and W-2G Electronically. For information about filing Form W-2 electronically with the SSA, visit www.ssa.gov/employer or call 1-800-772-6270.

Penalties

Whenever possible, you should take action before the listed due date. If you are late, you may have to pay a penalty as well as interest on any overdue taxes.

Be sure to follow all the tax laws that apply to you. In addition to civil penalties, criminal penalties may be imposed for intentionally not paying taxes, for intentionally filing a false return, or for not filing a required return.

Use of private delivery services

You can use certain private delivery services designated by the IRS to meet the timely mailing as timely filing/paying rule for tax returns and payments. These private delivery services include only the following.

DHL Express (DHL): DHL Same Day Service.

Federal Express (FedEx): FedEx Priority Overnight, FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx 2 Day, FedEx International Priority, and FedEx International First.

United Parcel Service (UPS): UPS Next Day Air, UPS Next Day Air Saver, UPS 2nd Day Air, UPS 2nd Day Air A.M., UPS Worldwide Express Plus, and UPS Worldwide Express.

For the IRS mailing address to use if you are using a private delivery service, go to IRS.gov and enter “private delivery service” in the search box.

The private delivery service can tell you how to get written proof of the mailing date.

The U.S. Postal Service advises that private delivery services cannot deliver items to P.O. boxes. You must use the U.S. Postal Service to mail any item to an IRS P.O. box address.

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Tax Calendar: 2013 Federal Due Dates

January 15

Individuals. Make a payment of your estimated tax for 2012 if you did not pay your income tax for the year through withholding (or did not pay in enough tax that way). Use Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals. This is the final installment date for 2012 estimated tax. However, you do not have to make this payment if you file your 2012 return (Form 1040) and pay any tax due by January 31, 2013.

January 31

Individuals who must make estimated tax payments. If you did not pay your last installment of estimated tax by January 15, you may choose (but are not required) to file your income tax return (Form 1040) for 2012 by January 31. Filing your return and paying any tax due by January 31 prevents any penalty for late payment of the last installment. If you cannot file and pay your tax by January 31, file and pay your tax by April 15.

February 15

Individuals. If you claimed exemption from income tax withholding last year on the Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate, you gave your employer, you must file a new Form W-4 by this date to continue your exemption for another year.

April 15

Individuals. File a 2012 income tax return (Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ) and pay any tax due. If you want an automatic 6-month extension of time to file the return, file Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. For more information, see Form 4868. Then, file Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ by October 15.

Household employers. If you paid cash wages of $1,800 or more in 2012 to a household employee, you must file Schedule H. If you are required to file a federal income tax return (Form 1040), file Schedule H with the return and report any household employment taxes. Report any federal unemployment (FUTA) tax on Schedule H if you paid total cash wages of $1,000 or more in any calendar quarter of 2011 or 2012 to household employees. Also, report any income tax you withheld for your household employees. For more information, see Publication 926.

Individuals. If you are not paying your 2013 income tax through withholding (or will not pay in enough tax during the year that way), pay the first installment of your 2013 estimated tax. Use Form 1040-ES. For more information, see Publication 505.

June 17

Individuals. If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien living and working (or on military duty) outside the United States and Puerto Rico, file Form 1040 and pay any tax, interest, and penalties due. Otherwise, see April 15. If you want additional time to file your return, file Form 4868 to obtain 4 additional months to file. Then, file Form 1040 by October 15.

However, if you are a participant in a combat zone, you may be able to further extend the filing deadline. See Publication 3, Armed Forces’ Tax Guide.

Individuals. Make a payment of your 2013 estimated tax if you are not paying your income tax for the year through withholding (or will not pay in enough tax that way). Use Form 1040-ES. This is the second installment date for estimated tax in 2013. For more information, see Publication 505.

September 16

Individuals. Make a payment of your 2013 estimated tax if you are not paying your income tax for the year through withholding (or will not pay in enough tax that way). Use Form 1040-ES. This is the third installment date for estimated tax in 2013. For more information, see Publication 505.

October 15

Individuals. If you have an automatic 6-month extension to file your income tax return for 2012, file Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ and pay any tax, interest, and penalties due.

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Employees who work for tips

If you received $20 or more in tips in one calendar month, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070, Employee’s Report of Tips to Employer.

Report tips for the previous calendar month to your employer on the following dates.

Corporations

March 15

File a 2012 calendar year income tax return (Form 1120) and pay any tax due. If you want an automatic 6-month extension of time to file the return, file Form 7004, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File Certain Business Income Tax, Information, and Other Returns, and deposit what you estimate you owe.

April 15

Deposit the first installment of estimated income tax for 2013. A worksheet, Form 1120-W, Estimated Tax for Corporations, is available to help you estimate your tax for the year.

June 17

Deposit the second installment of estimated income tax for 2013. A worksheet, Form 1120-W, is available to help you estimate your tax for the year.

September 16

File a 2012 calendar year income tax return (Form 1120) and pay any tax, interest, and penalties due. This due date applies only if you timely requested an automatic 6-month extension. Otherwise, see March 15.

Deposit the third installment of estimated income tax for 2013. A worksheet, Form 1120-W, is available to help you estimate your tax for the year.

December 16

Deposit the fourth installment of estimated income tax for 2013. A worksheet, Form 1120-W, is available to help you estimate your tax for the year.

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All Businesses

January 31

Give annual information statements to recipients of certain payments you made during 2012. You can use the appropriate version of Form 1099 or other information return. Form 1099 can be issued electronically with the consent of the recipient. Payments that may be covered include the following.

See the General Instructions for Certain Information Returns for information on what payments are covered, how much the payment must be before a statement is required, which form to use, when to file, and extensions of time to provide statements to the IRS. Forms 1099-B, 1099-S, and certain reporting on Form 1099-MISC are due to recipients on February 15.

February 15

Give annual information statements to recipients of certain payments you made during 2012. You can use the appropriate version of Form 1099 or other information return. Form 1099 can be issued electronically with the consent of the recipient. This due date applies only to the following types of payments.

February 28

File information returns (for example, Forms 1099) for certain payments you made during 2012. These payments are described under January 31. There are different forms for different types of payments. Use a separate Form 1096, Annual Summary and Transmittal of U.S. Information Returns, to summarize and transmit the forms for each type of payment. See the General Instructions for Certain Information Returns for information on what payments are covered, how much the payment must be before a return is required, which form to use, and extensions of time to file.

If you file Forms 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, or W-2G electronically, your due date for filing them with the IRS will be extended to April 1. The due date for giving the recipient these forms generally remains January 31.

April 1

Electronic filing of Forms 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, and W-2G. File Forms 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, and W-2G with the IRS. This due date applies only if you file electronically. Otherwise, see February 28.

The due date for giving the recipient these forms generally remains January 31.

For information about filing Forms 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, and W-2G electronically, see Publication 1220.

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S-Corporations

March 15

File a 2012 calendar year income tax return (Form 1120S) and pay any tax due. Provide each shareholder with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1120S), Shareholder’s Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc., or a substitute Schedule K-1. If you want an automatic 6-month extension of time to file the return, file Form 7004 and deposit what you estimate you owe.

S corporation election. File Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation, to elect to be treated as an S corporation beginning with calendar year 2013. If Form 2553 is filed late, S treatment will begin with calendar year 2014.

September 16

File a 2012 calendar year income tax return (Form 1120S) and pay any tax due. This due date applies only if you timely requested an automatic 6-month extension. Otherwise, see March 15. Provide each shareholder with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1120S) or a substitute Schedule K-1.

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Partnerships

March 15

Electing large partnerships. Provide each partner with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1065-B), Partner’s Share of Income (Loss) From an Electing Large Partnership, or a substitute Schedule K-1. This due date applies even if the partnership requests an extension of time to file the Form 1065-B by filing Form 7004.

April 15

File a 2012 calendar year return (Form 1065). Provide each partner with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1065), Partner’s Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc., or a substitute Schedule K-1. If you want an automatic 5-month extension of time to file the return and provide Schedule K-1 or a substitute Schedule K-1, file Form 7004. Then, file Form 1065 by September 16.

Electing large partnerships. File a 2012 calendar year return (Form 1065-B). If you want an automatic 6-month extension of time to file the return, file Form 7004. Then, file Form 1065-B by October 15. See March 15 for the due date for furnishing Schedules K-1 or substitute Schedules K-1 to the partners.

September 16

File a 2012 calendar year return (Form 1065). This due date applies only if you were given an additional 5-month extension. Otherwise see April 15. Provide each partner with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) or a substitute Schedule K-1.

October 15

Electing large partnerships. File a 2012 calendar year return (Form 1065-B). This due date applies only if you were given an additional 6-month extension. See March 15 for the due date for furnishing Schedules K-1 or substitute Schedules K-1 to the partners.

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Fiscal Year Taxpayers

If you use a fiscal year (rather than the calendar year) as your tax year, you should change some of the dates in this calendar. Use the following general guidelines to make these changes.

The 3 months that make up each quarter of a fiscal year may be different from those of each calendar quarter, depending on when the fiscal year begins. Also see Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

Individuals

Form 1040. This form is due on the 15th day of the 4th month after the end of your tax year.

Estimated tax payments (Form 1040-ES). Payments are due on the 15th day of the 4th, 6th, and 9th months of your tax year and on the 15th day of the 1st month after your tax year ends.

Partnerships

Form 1065. This form is due on the 15th day of the 4th month after the end of the partnership’s tax year. Provide each partner with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) or a substitute Schedule K-1.

Form 1065-B (electing large partnerships). This form is due on the 15th day of the 4th month after the end of the partnership’s tax year. Provide each partner with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1065-B) or a substitute Schedule K-1 by the first March 15 following the close of the partnership’s tax year.

Corporations and S Corporations

Form 1120 and Form 1120S (or Form 7004). These forms are due on the 15th day of the 3rd month after the end of the corporation’s tax year. S corporations must provide each shareholder with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1120S) or a substitute Schedule K-1.

Estimated tax payments. Payments are due on the 15th day of the 4th, 6th, 9th, and 12th months of the corporation’s tax year.

Form 2553. This form is used to choose S corporation treatment. It is due no more than two months and 15 days after the beginning of the tax year the election is to take effect or at any time during the preceding tax year.

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