No business owner wants to be hit with penalties for missing a tax deadline, but when you’re busy, it can be easy to forget what’s due and when. However, April in particular is a key month for companies (as well as individuals), with a number of different tax filing and payment dates to meet, making remembering these, especially important.
If you’re working with an experienced accounting firm in Fort Lauderdale, you can leave the meeting of tax deadlines in their capable hands, but even so, knowing the most important dates yourself, is still sensible. If you’re handling your own bookkeeping and accounting, you should definitely be setting yourself a reminder for the following April 2026 dates:
15th APRIL
Corporate tax filing and payments
- C-Corporations (Form 1120)
Businesses operating as C-Corporations must file their 2025 income tax return on or before this date. if extra time is needed, Form 7004 can be filed for 6-month, automatic extension. However, it’s important to remember that payments must still be made by the due date, the extension is only applicable for filing.
- Estimated tax payments
For C-Corporations following the calendar year, this deadline applies for your first estimated tax payment of the year.
Payroll and withholding taxes
- Social security, Medicare and withheld income tax
Deposited on or before this date, are any taxes withheld from payroll in March, provided your business is following a monthly deposit schedule.
- Non-payroll withholding taxes
For payments that aren’t related to payroll but still require withholding, like backup withholding or retirement distributions, businesses must deposit these taxes for March, by this date.
Fiduciary tax returns
- Estates and trusts (Form 1041)
2025 tax returns for fiduciaries managing estates and trusts, must be filed by this date. An extension can be filed should you need extra time.
30th APRIL
Payroll and unemployment tax deadlines
- Quarterly payroll tax filing (Form 941)
Form 941 must be filed by employers to report the first quarter’s taxes for 2026.
The full payment can be submitted as well as the form, for businesses with a payroll tax liability below $2,500.
Form 941 can be filed until the 12th May if all necessary deposits have been made in a timely manner.
Unemployment tax (FUTA) deposits
- For businesses who owe more than $500 for the first quarter in Federal Unemployment Tax, or FUTA, the payment must be deposited by this date.
Weekend or holiday adjustments
Deadlines are automatically extended by the IRS to the next business day, should they fall on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
Extensions for areas affected by disaster
Businesses may be granted an extension for filing from the IRS, if they’re situated in an area that has been declared a disaster zone. If your business is operating in an area affected by disaster, and you work with professional tax preparation in Fort Lauderdale, they should keep you updated on any adjustments to filing and payment deadlines, and measures for special relief.
Be sure to put all of the above dates into your calendar and set reminders as appropriate. Even if you expect your accountant or tax specialist to prevent you from missing any deadlines, being doubly vigilant is always a smart move. Remember, if you miss a tax filing or payment deadline for any reason, it won’t be your accountant who’s penalized, it will be you.