Tax deadlines every self-employed professional should know

Being self-employed has numerous advantages and benefits. But you’ll also find there are a lot of things you’ll have to handle yourself—things you may never have even really thought of when you were someone else’s employee.

Taxes should be at the top of that list. Self-employed taxpayers should familiarize themselves with the filing and payment schedule to avoid headaches and unnecessary fees.

When you’re an employee, the company you work for will withhold money from your paychecks and pay it directly to the government as your share of income tax. However, when you work for yourself, there is no company to do that for you. So, you need to do it yourself.

Employee paychecks also show tax withholdings that cover half of their Social Security and Medicare taxes. Employers contribute the other half themselves. But as a self-employed person, you’ll have to pay all of your Social Security and Medicare taxes yourself. This is called the self-employment tax.

By knowing exactly when tax deadlines are and paying them promptly, you can prevent penalties, avoid surprise bills, and manage your cash flow better.

Many people who fall into the category of being self-employed will need to fill out a Schedule C with their personal tax return. This allows you to pass your profits through to your individual tax return, instead of having a separate business tax return. The dates listed in Schedule C apply even if your income is small or if your work is seasonal.

If you are a freelancer, independent contractor, or in any other way self-employed, then you need to make sure you are filing your federal income taxes on time. Here’s what you need to know for this tax year.

In 2026, federal taxes are due on April 15. This includes all filings necessary for your personal federal tax return, including Form 1040 and Schedule C.

In general, the last day to file your federal taxes for the previous year’s earnings is April 15. However, if April 15 falls on a weekend or a legal holiday, the due date moves to the next business day.

If you know you will not be able to get your taxes done and mailed by April 15, then you can request a six-month extension. To qualify for the approved delay, you will need to submit Form 4868 by April 15.

This will grant you six extra months to file your taxes—meaning to submit all the required paperwork. However, you are still obligated to pay your tax liability on time.

Any taxes you fail to pay by the standard deadline, or any underpayments, are subject to penalties and interest, even if you were given an extension. So, be sure to pay any tax owed on income you made in 2025 by April 15, 2026 to avoid extra fees.

If you expect to owe taxes of at least $1,000 for the year, the IRS generally requires you to make quarterly estimated payments. These payments cover both income tax and self-employment tax.

Quarterly taxes are due 15 days after the quarter ends. That gives filers time to figure out how much income they made in those three months and then calculate the taxes owed. Here’s the breakdown for each period:

Use Form 1040-ES to calculate your estimates. You’ll need your previous tax return to know how much you earned at the end of the year so you can figure out your estimated tax.

You can make a payment online directly to the IRS using a checking or savings bank account or via the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS). Both options are free. You can also pay via credit card, but this option has processing fees.

Federal tax deadlines are consistent nationwide, but state tax due dates vary. Be sure to find out what the current deadlines are for your area, especially since tax laws change frequently.

Check your state’s department of revenue website for the latest information. You’ll want to be sure to make note of the following:

Most states follow the federal calendar, but some states have later deadlines, including Delaware, Hawaii, and Iowa (all in late April), as well as Louisiana and Virginia (both in May).

As an example, California front-loads payments, so you pay 30% in your first installment and 40% in your second installment, with the remaining 30% due last. It should be noted that in this state, there are three total payments per year instead of four payments, which will often be the case in other states.

To avoid penalties, fees, and interest, it’s best to keep tax deadlines and other important dates on your agenda. Here are the major milestones:

Note that these dates apply for federal tax returns, but state income tax deadlines may differ.

Use simple tools to remind yourself of upcoming deadlines. Before the year begins, mark all dates on a business calendar and set up alarms with plenty of time before they’re due. You can also use an accounting app to keep organized.

Set aside funds monthly to cover any taxes owed. By keeping it separate from other income, you’ll avoid a cash-flow strain. If your income varies widely and it makes forecasting your revenue unpredictable, use bookkeeping tools or hire a tax professional to help you manage your budget.

By staying compliant and paying your taxes on time, you’ll reduce your risk of being audited. It will also allow you to stay focused on running your business.

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