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Tax tips for the season you’re in.
Tax advice goes stale fast. This page follows the calendar instead of sitting still — what matters this quarter, what is coming next, and what has to be done before it passes.
Right now
The next deadline on the calendar
Deadlines do not move because you were busy. If any of these apply to you and you have not started, ring the office — late is expensive in a way early never is.
Don’t wait for the last week. Call the office and we’ll get you on the calendar.
Through the year
What to do, and when to do it.
Four windows. Each one has things that can only be done inside it.
Filing season
January – April- 15 JanuaryFourth quarter estimated payment is due
The last estimated payment for the previous tax year. Paying it late adds interest even if your return ends up showing a refund.
- 31 JanuaryW-2 and 1099 forms must reach recipients
If you employ people or pay contractors, these have to be issued by the end of January. We prepare and file them for business clients.
- 15 MarchS-corporation and partnership returns are due
A full month before individual returns. Penalties here are charged per partner or shareholder, per month.
- 15 AprilIndividual returns and Q1 estimates are due
If you cannot file in time, file an extension — but an extension moves the filing date, not the payment date.
Mid-year
May – August- 15 JuneSecond quarter estimated payment is due
Self-employed income, rental income and investment income all feed into this. If your year is running ahead of last year, the payment should move too.
- Mid-yearReview your withholding while it still matters
Half the year is measurable and half is still changeable. This is the cheapest moment to fix a withholding problem.
- Any timeBring in books that have fallen behind
Catching up four months of records in June costs less than catching up twelve in February.
- Any timeDeal with IRS letters now, not later
Most notices carry a response window. Bringing one in during June gets it read the same week.
Extension season
September – October- 15 SeptemberQ3 estimates and extended business returns are due
Two deadlines share this date. Extended partnership and S-corporation returns land here alongside the third quarterly payment.
- 15 OctoberExtended individual returns are due
The end of the line for the previous tax year. Interest has been accruing since April on anything owed.
- AutumnStart year-end planning before December
Equipment purchases, retirement contributions and entity decisions all take time to arrange.
Year-end planning
November – December- Before 31 DecemberAnything dated this year has to happen now
Equipment placed in service, retirement contributions, charitable giving, deferring or accelerating income — the calendar closes and does not reopen.
- Before 31 DecemberCheck your estimated payments cover the year
If income came in higher than planned, there is still one quarter of room to reduce a penalty.
- DecemberGet your books straight before January
Cleaning twelve months of records in February costs more and slows your filing.
Not sure which of these applies to you?
Ring the office between 9 and 3 and describe your situation. We will tell you what matters and what does not.