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Tax deadlines, checklists and guides

Practical information to help you stay organized through the year. It is general, so for anything about your own situation, ask Adam.

Yearly tax deadlines

These are the usual dates for calendar-year taxpayers. When a date falls on a weekend or a federal holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day. Disaster relief can also move deadlines for some areas.

  1. January 15Fourth-quarter estimated tax payment for the previous year
  2. January 31W-2s and 1099-NEC forms due to workers and to the IRS
  3. March 15Partnership (Form 1065) and S corporation (Form 1120-S) returns, or an extension
  4. April 15Individual returns (Form 1040) and C corporation returns, or an extension, plus the first-quarter estimated payment
  5. June 15Second-quarter estimated tax payment
  6. September 15Third-quarter estimated payment, and extended partnership and S corporation returns
  7. October 15Extended individual returns

Document checklists

What to gather before you upload documents to the client portal.

For individual tax returns

  • Photo ID, and Social Security numbers for everyone on the return
  • Last year’s tax return
  • W-2s from every employer
  • 1099s for interest, dividends, retirement distributions and contract work
  • 1098s for mortgage interest and student loan interest
  • K-1s from partnerships or S corporations
  • Records of any estimated tax payments you made
  • Health insurance forms (1095-A, B or C) and charitable donation receipts

For business tax returns

  • Last year’s business return and any IRS or state letters
  • Your year-end profit and loss statement and balance sheet, or access to your bookkeeping file
  • Bank and credit card statements for the year
  • Payroll reports, and W-9s for contractors you paid
  • Records of equipment or vehicles you bought or sold

Paying contractors: 1099 basics

  • Collect a Form W-9 from every new contractor before you pay them.
  • Form 1099-NEC reports what you paid a person or an LLC for services. It is due to the contractor and to the IRS by January 31.
  • The reporting threshold was $600 for payments made through 2025. A 2025 change in the law raises it to $2,000 for payments made in 2026 and later.
  • Payments to corporations are usually exempt, with some exceptions such as legal fees.
  • Filing late or leaving forms out can mean a penalty for each form.

Common tax questions

What counts as a business expense?

An expense must be ordinary and necessary for your line of work. Keep the receipt and note the business purpose. If something is used for both business and personal reasons, track the business share.

How do quarterly estimated taxes work?

If you are self-employed, or have income with no tax withheld, you usually pay tax four times a year instead of all at once in April. A common safe harbor is to pay at least 100 percent of last year’s total tax over the four payments, or 110 percent if your adjusted gross income was over $150,000. Adam can work out the amounts from your income so far this year.

Does an extension give me more time to pay?

No. An extension gives you more time to file the return, but any tax you owe is still due by the original deadline. Paying late adds interest and penalties.

How long should I keep my tax records?

Keep returns and the records behind them for at least three years after you file. Keep records for property and investments until three years after you sell them. When in doubt, keep them longer.

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Have a question about your own taxes?

Pick a time for a 15-minute call. There is no obligation. Tell Adam what you need and he will explain how he can help and what it would cost. If you would rather talk now, call the office at 469‑213‑8492.

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