There’s nothing worse than missing a deadline for an easy filing and having to fork over extra money in fees and penalties. Whether you’re a solo freelancer or have launched a startup, you have certain legal, tax, and administrative obligations to meet throughout the year.
You already have a lot to keep track of running your business; that’s why we have assembled a summary of some key dates and deadlines for 2015. Of course, as with everything you read on the Web, these are common dates that apply to many businesses; however, this list shouldn’t be a substitute for your own research for your particular state and business requirements:
Tax deadlines 2015
February
February 2: If you have any employees, you need to give them copies of their Form W2 for 2014. In addition, if you have paid any freelancers or contract workers during 2014, you need to supply these workers with a copy of their 1099 forms by February 2.
February 2: If you have employees, you need to file your 2014 federal unemployment tax returns (and pay any tax due) by February 2.
February 15: This isn’t a deadline with the IRS, but keep in mind that open enrollment for marketplace health insurance (aka Obamacare) ends on February 15. If you are self-employed and in charge of your own health insurance, take a look to see if you can bring down your insurance costs in 2015.
March
March 2: If you have employees and are not filing electronically, you need to send in a copy (Copy A) of your 1099 and W2 forms. You send the W2 to the Social Security Administration and 1099s to the IRS. Look at March 31 if you file electronically.
March 16: If your business is structured as a Corporation, you need to file your income tax return (Form 1120) and pay any tax due for calendar year 2014. Likewise, if you have an S Corporation, you will need to file Form 1120S by March 16.
March 16: If you want your business to be treated as an S Corporation beginning with calendar year 2015, you need to file Form 2553 with the IRS by March 16. If you get this form in late, your S Corporation treatment won’t begin until 2016.
March 31: If you have employees and are filing electronically, you need to electronically file copies of your W2 and 1099 forms for 2014.
April
April 15: Your individual tax returns for 2014 are due (either electronically filed or postmarked). This also applies to any sole proprietorship businesses (Schedule C of your individual tax return). If you prefer to request an extension until October 15, your request must be in by April 15.
April 15: If you are self-employed or have other income that requires you to pay estimated taxes throughout the year, your 2015 first-quarter estimated taxes (Form 1040-ES) must be in/postmarked by April 15, 2015.
April 15: This is your last day to make a 2014 IRA contribution for traditional and Roth IRAs (if you haven’t already fully funded your account for 2014).
June
June 15: If you are self-employed or have other income that requires you to pay estimated taxes throughout the year, your 2015 second-quarter estimated taxes (Form 1040-ES) must be in/postmarked by June 15, 2015.
June 15: Individuals living outside the U.S. must file their Form 1040 by June 15.
September
September 15: If you are self-employed or have other income that requires you to pay estimated taxes throughout the year, your 2015 third-quarter estimated taxes (Form 1040-ES) must be in/postmarked by September 15, 2015.
September 15: If your Corporation or S-Corporation requested a six-month extension for your 2014 taxes, you must get your Form 1120 (corporation) or 1120S (S-corporation) in by September 15. Keep in mind that even though you requested an extension to file your paperwork, you may still owe the IRS interest and penalties.
October
October 15: If you got a six-month extension for your individual tax return, it must be completed and postmarked by October 15. Keep in mind you may also owe interest and penalties for the later payment.
January 2016
January 15: If you are self-employed or have other income that requires you to pay estimated taxes throughout the year, your 2015 fourth-quarter estimated taxes (Form 1040-ES) must be in/postmarked by January 15, 2016.
Tax deadline resources
IRS Tax Calendar for business and self-employed
State Annual Reports
If you have formed a corporation or LLC for your business, you typically are required to file a one-page form called an Annual Report or Statement of Information every year (or every two years). Each state has different filing requirements and deadlines, making this tricky to keep up with.
Missing a date could mean a penalty, or the state could even put your business in non-compliant/bad standing status or dissolve your corporation altogether. If you have any questions about your business’ specific deadlines and requirements, contact your state’s secretary of state office.
Note that “anniversary date” refers to the date when your business officially became an LLC or corporation in that state.
Alabama: Two and a half months after the beginning of the tax year (Corp), three and a half months after the beginning of the tax year (LLC)
Alaska: Biennial report (every two years) due January 2
Arizona: Anniversary day
Arkansas: May 1
California: End of anniversary month
Colorado: End of second month after anniversary month
Connecticut: End of anniversary month
Delaware: March 1 (corp), June 1 (LLC)
Florida: May 1
Georgia: April 1
Hawaii: Anniversary Quarter
Idaho: End of anniversary month
Illinois: Month previous to anniversary
Indiana: Anniversary month
Iowa: March 31
Kansas: 15th day of the fourth month after the end of the fiscal year
Kentucky: June 30
Louisiana: Anniversary date
Maine: June 1
Maryland: April 15
Massachusetts: Anniversary date (LLC), by 15th day of the third month after the end of the corporation’s fiscal year (Corp)
Michigan: May 15 (Corp), Feb 15 (LLC)
Minnesota: December 31
Mississippi: April 15
Missouri: End of third month after anniversary
Montana: April 15
Nebraska: April 1 (LLC), March 1 (Corp)
Nevada: End of anniversary month
New Hampshire: April 1
New Jersey: End of anniversary month
New Mexico: Biennial report (every two years) by 15th day of the third month after the end of the corporation’s fiscal year (Corp), Not required for LLCs
New York: Biennial report (every two years) during anniversary month
North Carolina: April 15
North Dakota: August 1 (Corp), November 15 (LLC)
Ohio: Not required
Oklahoma: July 1 (LLC)
Oregon: Anniversary date
Pennsylvania: Not required
Rhode Island: March 1 (Corp), November 1 (LLC)
South Carolina: Not required (LLC), by 15th day of the third month after the end of the corporation’s fiscal year (Corp)
South Dakota: Anniversary date
Tennessee: First day of fourth month following the end of the fiscal year (Corp)
Texas: Not required
Utah: Anniversary date
Vermont: Last day of anniversary month (Corp), within two and one half months after the end of fiscal year (LLC)
Virginia: End of anniversary date
Washington: End of anniversary date
West Virginia: July 1 (corp), April 1 (LLC)
Wisconsin: Anniversary quarter
Wyoming: Anniversary