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Free resource · Updated for the 2026 filing season

The 2026 Tax Deadline Checklist for NY & NJ Freelancers

Every date that can cost you money this year — federal, New York, and New Jersey — in one page you can save, print, or screenshot. Built by the Enrolled Agents at Dynamic Tax & Accounting Services.

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Q4 estimates
  • Pay your Q4 2025 federal estimated tax (Form 1040-ES).
  • Pay your Q4 2025 New York estimate (Form IT-2105) if you owe NY.
  • Pay your Q4 2025 New Jersey estimate (Form NJ-1040-ES) if you owe NJ.

Worth knowing: Skipping this one is the most common way freelancers earn an underpayment penalty — even if they pay in full in April.

Monday, February 2, 2026

1099s & W-2s
  • Send Form 1099-NEC to every contractor you paid $600 or more in 2025 — and file copies with the IRS.
  • If you have employees, W-2s are due to them and to the Social Security Administration.
  • Watch your own mail and portals: the 1099-NEC, 1099-K, and 1099-MISC forms you receive should all arrive around this date.

Worth knowing: January 31 falls on a Saturday in 2026, so the deadline moves to Monday, February 2.

Monday, March 16, 2026

S-corps & partnerships
  • File your 2025 S-corporation return (Form 1120-S) or partnership return (Form 1065) — or file Form 7004 for a six-month extension.
  • Issue Schedule K-1s to every owner so personal returns aren't held up.
  • Electing NY PTET for 2026? The annual election window closes today — it can't be made late.
  • NJ BAIT elections for the year should also be locked in with your preparer now.

Worth knowing: March 15 falls on a Sunday in 2026, so the deadline moves to Monday, March 16. The late-filing penalty for these returns is charged per owner, per month — it adds up fast.

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

The big one
  • File your 2025 federal return (Form 1040) and pay any balance due — or file Form 4868 for an extension. An extension moves the paperwork, not the payment.
  • File your 2025 New York return (IT-201) and/or New Jersey return (NJ-1040).
  • Pay your Q1 2026 estimated taxes — federal, NY, and NJ.
  • Last day to make a 2025 IRA or HSA contribution and still deduct it on your 2025 return.
  • FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) is due if your foreign accounts totaled over $10,000 at any point in 2025 — it extends automatically to October 15.
  • Calendar-year C-corporation returns (Form 1120) are due.

Worth knowing: Filing day and Q1 estimates land on the same date. Budget for both — this is the cash-flow squeeze that catches most self-employed filers.

Monday, June 15, 2026

Q2 estimates
  • Pay your Q2 2026 estimated taxes — federal, NY, and NJ.
  • U.S. citizens living abroad: your automatic two-month filing extension ends today.

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Q3 estimates
  • Pay your Q3 2026 estimated taxes — federal, NY, and NJ.
  • Extended 2025 S-corporation and partnership returns are due — no further extensions.

Thursday, October 15, 2026

Extension deadline
  • Extended 2025 personal returns (Form 1040) are due — this is the final deadline.
  • FBAR automatic extension ends — foreign account reports must be filed by today.
  • SEP-IRA and Solo 401(k) employer contributions for 2025 can still be made up to your extended filing date.

Friday, January 15, 2027

Looking ahead
  • Pay your Q4 2026 estimated taxes — the cycle starts again.

What to gather before each deadline

Having these ready turns a stressful filing into a one-meeting filing.

  • Every 1099-NEC, 1099-K, and 1099-MISC you receive — plus records of income that never got a form.
  • A clean expense summary: software, supplies, phone, internet, home-office square footage, and a mileage log.
  • Health insurance premiums you paid yourself — often deductible for the self-employed.
  • Dates and amounts of every estimated payment you already made (federal, NY, NJ).
  • Retirement contributions: SEP-IRA, Solo 401(k), traditional or Roth IRA.
  • Last year's return — it's the fastest way for a new preparer to spot missed deductions.

The penalty traps freelancers hit most

Underpaying quarterly estimates

The IRS charges interest on each missed quarter separately. The safe harbor: pay at least 100% of last year's tax (110% if your income topped $150K), split across the four dates above, and the penalty disappears — no matter what you end up owing in April.

Not filing because you can't pay

The late-filing penalty is 5% per month; late payment is only 0.5% per month. If cash is tight, always file (or extend) on time and work out the payment — it's ten times cheaper.

Forgetting the state clock

New York and New Jersey run their own estimate schedules and their own underpayment interest. Paying the IRS on time doesn't stop Albany or Trenton from billing you.

Assuming no 1099 means no tax

The federal 1099-K threshold returned to $20,000 and 200 transactions, so many platforms won't send you a form — but the income is still taxable and still expected in your estimates.

Want these deadlines handled instead of remembered?

Our team calculates your quarterly estimates, files the returns, and checks in before every date on this page — so nothing here surprises you.

Free Strategy SessionCall (646) 295-3811

Dates reflect the IRS, New York State, and New Jersey calendars for the 2026 filing season as of publication. Weekends, holidays, and disaster relief can shift deadlines, and your situation may have dates not listed here — confirm with a tax professional before relying on any single date.