2025 Tax Calendar: The Tax Tool Every U.S. Small-Business Owner Needs
Staying compliant is simpler when the year’s tax deadlines live in one place. Below is a month-by-month guide to every major 2025 federal due date that touches solo proprietors, LLCs, S-corps, C-corps, and their payroll. Bookmark it, copy the bullets into your planner, or subscribe to the free IRS .ICS feed so reminders pop up automatically on your digital calendar.
Why a Dedicated Calendar Matters
Integrating tax deadlines into your regular workflow isn't just about avoiding last-minute panic; it's a strategic business decision.
- Avoid Penalties & Interest: The IRS doesn't mess around. Late-payment and late-filing penalties can accumulate rapidly, sometimes hitting up to $25,%$ of the total tax you owe.
- Sync Your Cash Flow: When you know your four quarterly estimated-tax withdrawal dates in advance, you can protect your operating capital and ensure funds are available without disrupting business as usual.
- Delegate with Confidence: Whether you have an in-house bookkeeper or an external CPA, a shared, accurate calendar ensures accountability. When everyone knows the exact dates, nothing slips through the cracks.
- Stay Audit-Ready: Timely filing of informational returns like Forms W-2 and 1099 is one of the first things examiners check. A clean filing history is your first line of defense.
At-a-Glance: Key 2025 Federal Deadlines
The dates below are adjusted for weekends and federal holidays, reflecting the next business day as the official deadline. All times are based on the postmark or e-file transmission date unless specific deposit rules require a same-day electronic funds transfer (EFT).
January
- Jan 15 – Final 2024 estimated-tax payment (Form 1040-ES) is due for self-employed individuals and others who did not have enough tax withheld during 2024. Note: Farmers and fishers can skip this payment if they file and pay their entire tax bill in full by March 3, 2025.
- Jan 31 – Key year-end information returns are due:
- Furnish Forms W-2 to all employees and file copies with the Social Security Administration (SSA).
- Furnish and file Form 1099-NEC to report non-employee compensation paid in 2024.
- Furnish most other 1099 forms (like 1099-MISC, 1099-INT) to recipients. The deadline to file these with the IRS is later.
February
- Feb 18 – Last day for businesses to furnish Forms 1099-B (Proceeds from Broker and Barter Exchange Transactions) and 1099-S (Proceeds from Real Estate Transactions) to payees.
- Feb 28 – Deadline to mail paper copies of Forms 1097, 1098, 1099 (excluding 1099-NEC), and W-2G to the IRS. (E-filers have until March 31.)
March
- Mar 17 – Partnership and S-corporation tax returns for 2024 are due. (March 15 is a Saturday.)
- File Form 1065 (Partnerships) or Form 1120-S (S-Corps).
- Alternatively, file Form 7004 to request an automatic six-month extension to file.
- Provide Schedule K-1s (and K-3s, if applicable) to all partners and shareholders.
April
- Apr 15 – "Tax Day" features a triple-header of crucial deadlines:
- Individuals: File your 2024 Form 1040. You can file Form 4868 for an automatic six-month extension, but you must still pay any tax you estimate you owe today.
- C-Corporations: File your 2024 Form 1120 or file Form 7004 for an extension. The balance of tax owed is due with the extension filing.
- 1st Quarter 2025 Estimated Tax: Your first installment payment for the 2025 tax year (Form 1040-ES) is due if you expect to owe at least $1,000 in tax for the year.
June
- Jun 16 – 2nd Quarter 2025 estimated-tax installment is due. (June 15 falls on a Sunday.)