A common question people ask is, when are taxes due, or when do I file taxes? Use the brief income tax calendar below to help you navigate the upcoming tax year. Whenever possible, you should take action before the listed due date. If you’re late, you may have to pay a penalty as well as interest on any overdue taxes.
First quarter 2019 (January – March)
January 15
Final installment of your 2017 estimated tax payments is due if you make these payments. However, you do not have to make this payment if you file your 2018 return (Form 1040) and pay any tax due by January 31, 2019. If you follow a fiscal year, see below.
January 31
File your income tax return (Form 1040) for 2018 if you did not pay your last installment of estimated tax by January 16. Filing your return and paying any tax due by this date prevents any penalty for late payment of the last installment.
February 15
If you claimed exemption from income tax withholding last year on the Form W-4 you gave your employer, you must file a new Form W-4 by this date to continue your exemption for another year.
Second quarter 2019 (April – June)
April 15
In 2019, this deadline is April 17 for residents of Maine and Massachusetts, as April 15 is Patriots’ day and April 16 is Emancipation Day.
- 2018 income tax return is due along with any tax payments. Use Form 1040.
- Extension. Last day to obtain an automatic six-month extension of the time to file the return. File Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of the Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. Then file Form 1040 by October 15.
- Estimated tax. If you’re not paying your 2019 income tax through withholding (or will not pay in enough tax during the year that way), pay the first installment of your 2019 estimated tax. Use Form 1040-ES. For more information, see IRS Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax.
- IRAs. Last day to make a 2018 contribution to your Individual Retirement Account or Roth Individual Retirement Account. Contributions may be tax-deductible, if you qualify. You should make your IRA contribution as early in the year as possible, though, to make maximum use of tax-deferred growth. For more information about IRAs, visit our IRA Center .
June 17 (first business day after June 15)
- Estimated tax. Second installment date for estimated tax in 2019.
- This is the last day to file your 2018 income tax return, or file Form 4868 for an automatic four month extension, if you are living and working (or on military duty) outside the United States or Puerto Rico.
Third quarter 2019 (July – September)
September 16 (first business day after September 15)
Third installment date for estimated tax in 2019.
Fourth quarter 2019 (October – December)
October 15
If you filed for an automatic six-month extension, your 2018 income tax return is due.
December 31
- Last day for charitable contributions to be eligible on your 2019 tax return.
- Last day to make a family gift for 2019.
- Last day to take a required minimum distribution (RMD) if you are over age 70½ before 2019.
Fiscal year taxpayers
Form 1040 is due on the 15th day of the fourth month after the end of your tax year.
Estimated tax payments are due on the 15th day of the fourth, sixth, and ninth months of your tax year and on the 15th day of the first month after your tax year ends.
If any of these dates fall on a weekend or holiday, the due date is the next business day.