It’s January 2026 and while the new year often feels like a fresh start, for self-employed business owners, it’s also the critical window to close out 2025. Staying on top of these dates helps you avoid underpayment penalties and ensures your business stays in good standing.
Whether you operate as a single-member LLC or an LLC that has elected S Corp tax status, you’ll need to understand important due dates. While the filing forms might differ—with those reporting on Schedule C and those with an S Corp election filing Form 1120-S—the upcoming January deadlines apply across the board.
January 15: 2025 Q4 Estimated Tax Payments
The first major milestone is January 15, the due date for 2025 fourth-quarter (Q4) estimated tax payments.
Why it matters: If your income fluctuated last year or you skipped estimated tax payments, making a payment now can reduce what you owe when you file your tax return and may reduce the risk of IRS underpayment penalties and interest.
Quarterly estimated tax payments (QTEs) are calculated based on your total household income. Depending on your business structure, you will reference different forms to layer in your business income:
- Single-member LLCs: Reference your Schedule C profits
- S Corp Owners: Reference business profit from Form 1120-S and your Schedule K-1
February 2: 1099s, W-2s, and Payroll Tax Returns
Normally, January 31 is the big deadline for payroll tax filings. However, because January 31, 2026, falls on a Saturday, the IRS adjusts the deadline to the next business day: Monday, February 2, 2026.
- 1099s: This is the due date to send copies of 1099-NEC forms to the IRS and issue them to your vendors
- W-2s and Payroll Tax Returns: For businesses that run payroll, February 2 is the deadline to issue W-2s to employees (including yourself) and file annual/quarterly federal and state payroll tax returns, such as IRS Form 940 and Form 941.
Note: Schedule C filers don’t run payroll for their own pay, but payroll tax return deadlines still apply if you have employees. S Corp owners are required to pay themselves through payroll and are considered an employer, even if it’s just them. Contractor 1099 deadlines apply to all self-employed businesses who pay contractors or vendors.
January 2026 Tax Deadline Checklist
| Deadline | Action Item | Who it’s for |
| Jan 15 | Submit Q4 Estimated Tax Payments | All Self-Employed |
| Feb 2 (Normally Jan 31) | Submit 1099s to IRS and Issue 1099-NEC to vendors/contractors | If you paid contractors |
| File Annual/ Q4 Quarterly Payroll Tax Returns | If you are an employer (for yourself or a team of employees) | |
| Issue W-2s to Employees | If you are an employer (for yourself or a team of employees) |
Don’t Forget Your State Deadlines
While many states follow the federal and IRS deadline adjustments for weekends and holidays, state-level requirements and due dates can vary. In addition to federal income tax, you may be responsible for state-specific filings like state-level estimated tax payments and state payroll tax returns.
Generally, it is recommended to check with your specific state’s tax authorities to confirm their 2026 tax deadline calendar.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this document is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or tax advice. It is not intended to be a substitute for obtaining legal, accounting, or other financial advice from an appropriate and/or licensed adviser, or for the purpose of avoiding U.S. Federal, state or local tax payments and penalties.
With over eight years in public accounting, Marissa has worked closely with small business owners to navigate tax strategy and compliance. At Collective, she translates complex tax concepts for self-employed individuals into clear, practical content—supporting them on their tax journey so they feel informed, confident, and empowered to make decisions for their business.