This IRS tax deadlines article has been updated for the 2024 tax season (including deadlines for 2023 tax year filings). Tax season has arrived. This article will cover important key dates for the 2024 tax season, including the tax filing start date, tax deadline, extension filing deadline, extended deadline, estimated tax payment deadlines, a 2024 tax season calendar, and much more (even some discounted tax software at the end).
When is the 2024 Tax Deadline for Tax Filing (for the 2023 Tax Year)?
The IRS tax deadline to file your tax return will be Monday, April 15, 2024, according to the IRS.
Taxpayers living in Maine or Massachusetts have until Wednesday April 17, 2024, due to the Patriot’s Day and Emancipation Day holidays, respectively.
Some specifics states or locales will see their tax deadline date extended as relief to natural disasters. Check the IRS disaster relief page for further details.
Tax Filing Postmark & E-File Deadline
The Monday, April 15 tax deadline does not refer to when the IRS receives mailed tax returns. Instead, it refers to the date that the tax return is postmarked. So if you mail out your tax return on April 15 by USPS mail and the IRS receives your tax return after that date, your return won’t be considered late. The same rule applies for e-filing your taxes. If you e-file your taxes, you must do so by April 15 as well.
Note: the HSA Contribution Deadline and IRA Contribution Deadline are the Same as the Tax Deadline
Note that the HSA contribution deadline and IRA contribution deadline also fall on the same day as the tax deadline. This means you have a few additional months to make contributions for the tax and calendar year, beyond the actual tax and calendar year end date. You can also open new accounts to contribute to up until the same date, which is great news for savers.
When is the Tax Deadline if “Out of the Country” in 2023?
Your tax filing deadline and payment deadline, if you are “out of country”, is Monday, June 17, 2024 (normally June 15, but that falls on a Saturday in 2024). If you are out of country, you typically have an additional two months to file your taxes (from the typical April 15 date). Those eligible for this later date include:
- Those who live outside the United States and Puerto Rico and main place of work is outside the United States and Puerto Rico, or
- Those in military or naval service outside the United States and Puerto Rico (there is additional lenience for those in a combat zone, contingent operation, or who have been hospitalized).
If you qualify as being out of the country, you will still be eligible for the extension even if you are physically present in the United States. You must attach a statement to your return explaining which of the two situations qualify you for the extension.
Tax Extension Application Filing Deadline for 2023 Returns in 2024
If, for one reason or another, you are unable to file your tax return by the April 15, 2024 tax deadline for 2023 tax year returns, you can file for an IRS tax extension. Note that the extension must be postmarked by the April 15 deadline also.
Also, a key disclaimer – an extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay. Any taxes due are still due on the normal filing deadline date, in order to avoid penalty.
How to File a Tax Extension – and the Extended Filing Tax Deadline for 2023 Returns in 2024
To file a tax extension, you will need to fill out IRS form 4868. Note that filing the extension does not get you off the hook, you still need to pay any estimated taxes by the April 15 deadline. If you don’t you will owe interest and possibly a penalty on your taxes owed.
The tax extension will allow you to push back the deadline for sending in your 1040 by 6 months (4 months if you are out of the country). If you’re in country, the extended tax filing deadline is Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
What are the Estimated Tax Payment Deadlines in 2024?
If you make estimated tax payments quarterly, due to earning contractual or self-employed income, here are the quarterly estimated payment deadlines in 2024:
| Quarter: | Time Period: | Estimated Tax Payment Deadlines (2024): |
|---|---|---|
| Q4, 2023 | September 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023 | January 16, 2024 |
| Q1, 2024 | January 1, 2024 - March 31, 2024 | April 15, 2024 |
| Q2, 2024 | April 1, 2024 - May 31, 2024 | June 17, 2024 |
| Q3, 2024 | June 1, 2024 - August 31, 2024 | September 16, 2024 |
| Q4, 2024 | September 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024 | January 15, 2025 |
2024 Tax Season Calendar (Important Dates & Deadlines)
Note: these dates are subject to change from the IRS.
- January 16, 2024: Q4, 2022 estimated tax payments due
- January 29, 2024: tax season start date (IRS begins processing filed returns)
- January 31, 2024: deadline for employers to send W-2 and most 1099 forms (e.g. 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC, 1099-K)
- March 15, 2024: taxes due for some businesses (e.g. multi-member LLCs, partnerships, S-Corps)
- April 15, 2024: 2023 tax filing deadline (for non-extended returns) for individuals
- April 15, 2024: 2023 tax year payment deadline for individuals
- April 15, 2024: tax filing extension request deadline
- April 15, 2024: 2023 HSA & IRA contribution deadline
- April 15, 2024: Q1, 2024 estimated tax payment deadline
- April 15, 2024: 2023 tax filing deadline for C-Corps
- June 17, 2024: Q2, 2024 estimated tax payment deadline
- June 17, 2024: “Out of country” tax filing deadline
- September 16, 2024: Q3, 2024 estimated tax payment deadline
- September 16, 2024: 2023 extended filing deadline for partnerships and S-Corps
- October 15, 2024: 2023 extended filing deadline for individuals (note that 2023 payments are still due April 15, 2024)
- October 15, 2024: 2023 extended filing deadline for C-Corps
- January 15, 2024: Q4, 2024 estimated tax payment deadline
When is the Tax Filing Start Date?
The tax filing start date for 2023 tax returns will be Monday, January 29, 2024. You can start working on your taxes sooner, however, software companies will hold your returns and cannot submit them to the IRS electronically via e-filing until the tax filing start date. Paper tax returns will begin processing at the same time. Your return will not be processed prior to, and you won’t receive your refund until after your return is processed.
I would recommend not filing a return sooner than the tax filing start date, because tax software companies will often update their software to take in to account any IRS changes.
Do I Need to File a Tax Return?
You may be wondering “Do I need to file taxes?“. It’s a fair question. There may be scenarios where you do not need to file taxes, including if your income is below certain minimum income thresholds. However, even in those scenarios, it could still be advantageous to file a return, as you may be eligible for refundable tax credits.
What if I File an Incorrect or Incomplete Return?
If you’ve already filed your taxes, but later found your return to be incorrect or incomplete, here is how to file an amended tax return with the IRS. You may also need to file an amended state return.
When will I Get My Refund?
As a standard, the IRS anticipates issuing more than nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days.
However, a newer law requires the IRS to hold refunds on tax returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit until mid-February. Under the change required by Congress in the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, the IRS must hold the entire refund — even the portion not associated with the EITC and ACTC — until at least Feb. 15. This change helps ensure that taxpayers get the refund they are owed by giving the IRS more time to help detect and prevent fraud.
After filing, you can always check your tax refund status to see where your refund is at.
Where Should you File your Taxes?
Check out my soon to be revised list of the best tax prep software and best & cheapest ways to e-file for more suggestions. A few of my favorites over the years (with solid discounts from affiliate partnerships) include:
- H&R Block: 20% partner discount at link
- TurboTax: best partner discount at link
- TaxSlayer: 15% partner discount at link
- TaxAct: $25 or $35 partner discount at link
- Cash App Taxes: (formerly “Credit Karma Tax”, now owned by Square/Cash App)
Also, when it comes time to pay your taxes, I would recommend that you pay taxes online, as it is quicker, safer, and more reliable.
Want more tax filing tips? I’ll be revising my breakdown of how to do your taxes basics shortly.
Tax Deadlines, Extension, & Start Date Discussion
- When will you start preparing your taxes?
- Will you be filing a tax deadline extension this year?
- How are you preparing and filing your taxes this year?
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