Business Type | Filing Forms & Details | Key Deadlines |
---|---|---|
C Corporations | C corporations must file Form 1120 by April 15, 2025, for the 2024 tax year. If the corporation operates on a fiscal year, the deadline is the 15th day of the fourth month after the end of the fiscal year. Extensions can be requested by filing Form 7004, granting an automatic six-month extension. |
April 15, 2025 – File Form 1120 October 15, 2025 – Extended deadline after filing Form 7004 |
S Corporations | S corporations must file Form 1120-S by March 17, 2025. They must also distribute Schedule K-1s to shareholders by the same date. Extensions can be requested by filing Form 7004, extending the deadline to September 15, 2025. |
March 17, 2025 – File Form 1120-S and distribute Schedule K-1s September 15, 2025 – Extended deadline after filing Form 7004 |
LLCs | LLCs taxed as partnerships must file Form 1065 by March 15, 2025. They must also distribute Schedule K-1s by March 17, 2025. LLCs taxed as corporations must adhere to the deadlines for C or S corporations. Extensions can be requested by filing Form 7004, moving the deadline to September 15, 2025. |
March 15, 2025 – File Form 1065 March 17, 2025 – Distribute Schedule K-1s September 15, 2025 – Extended deadline after filing Form 7004 |
Partnerships | Partnerships must file Form 1065 by March 17, 2025, and distribute Schedule K-1s by the same date. An extension can be requested by filing Form 7004, moving the filing deadline to September 15, 2025. |
March 17, 2025 – File Form 1065 and distribute Schedule K-1s September 15, 2025 – Extended deadline after filing Form 7004 |
Sole Proprietorships | Sole proprietors must report their business income using Schedule C, which is part of their personal income tax return (Form 1040), by April 15, 2025. Extensions can be requested by filing Form 4868, moving the deadline to October 15, 2025. |
April 15, 2025 – File Schedule C with Form 1040 October 15, 2025 – Extended deadline after filing Form 4868 |
C corporations are required to file Form 1120, the U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return, by April 15, 2025, for the 2024 tax year. If the C corporation operates on a fiscal year instead of the calendar year, the deadline is the 15th day of the fourth month following the end of the fiscal year. For example, if a C corporation’s fiscal year ends on June 30, 2024, the tax return would be due by October 15, 2025.
Extensions for filing can be requested by submitting Form 7004, which grants an automatic six-month extension. However, any taxes due must still be paid by the original filing deadline to avoid interest and penalties. A C corporation that files for an extension would need to submit the completed return by October 15, 2025, for a calendar-year business.
Key Deadlines:
S corporations must file Form 1120-S by March 17, 2025, for the 2024 tax year. This return must report the corporation’s income, losses, deductions, and credits for the year. Additionally, S corporations are responsible for distributing Schedule K-1s to shareholders by the same deadline, indicating each shareholder’s share of the company’s income, losses, credits, and deductions.
Like C corporations, S corporations can request a six-month extension by filing Form 7004, which extends the filing deadline to September 15, 2025. However, all taxes due must be paid by the original deadline to avoid penalties.
Key Deadlines:
Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) that are taxed as partnerships must file Form 1065 by March 15, 2025, for the 2024 tax year. They must also distribute Schedule K-1s to their members by March 17, 2025, detailing each member’s share of the LLC’s profits, losses, and other tax-related items. LLCs that have elected to be taxed as C corporations or S corporations must adhere to the tax filing deadlines for those entities.
LLCs taxed as partnerships can request a six-month extension by submitting Form 7004, which moves the filing deadline to September 15, 2025. As with other entities, any taxes due must still be paid by the original deadline.
Key Deadlines:
Partnerships must file Form 1065 by March 17, 2025, for the 2024 tax year. Like LLCs, partnerships must distribute Schedule K-1s to all partners by this deadline, indicating each partner’s share of income, deductions, and credits. The Schedule K-1 is critical for the partners, who need this information to report their share of partnership income on their individual tax returns.
Partnerships may request an extension by filing Form 7004, moving the filing deadline to September 15, 2025. Any taxes owed must be paid by the original deadline to avoid penalties.
Key Deadlines:
Sole proprietors report their business income or losses using Schedule C, which is part of their personal income tax return (Form 1040). The filing deadline for sole proprietors is April 15, 2025, for the 2024 tax year. Since the business income is included in the owner’s personal return, there is no separate business filing. However, sole proprietors must be aware that their business and personal tax obligations are combined.
Sole proprietors can request a filing extension by submitting Form 4868, which extends the deadline to October 15, 2025. As with other structures, this extension does not grant more time to pay any taxes due.
Key Deadlines:
When it comes to business tax filing, meeting deadlines is crucial to avoid penalties. However, if your business is unable to meet the 2025 tax filing deadlines, the IRS allows you to request a six-month extension. Here’s how the process works and what you need to know about penalties for late filing and late payments.
For Businesses (Entities)
For Sole Proprietors and Individuals
Filing late without an extension or failing to submit the necessary forms by the deadline can result in substantial penalties. The IRS imposes penalties to encourage timely filing and payment of taxes.
Late Filing Penalty
Minimum Penalty
An extension to file your taxes does not provide an extension to pay any taxes owed. If you fail to pay the full amount of taxes by the original due date (even if you file an extension), you may face additional penalties.
Late Payment Penalty
Interest Charges
File Even If You Can’t Pay: If you can’t pay the full amount of taxes owed by the deadline, it’s essential to file your return (or request an extension) anyway. The late filing penalty is significantly higher than the late payment penalty, so avoiding the late filing penalty should be a priority.
Partial Payments: Even if you can’t pay the full tax liability, pay as much as possible by the original deadline. The penalty is calculated based on the unpaid portion of your taxes, so reducing this amount can help minimize the penalties and interest that accrue.
Payment Plans: The IRS offers payment plans that allow you to pay your taxes over time. If you know you won’t be able to pay in full by the deadline, consider applying for an installment agreement to avoid accumulating more penalties.
In certain situations, the IRS may waive penalties for late filing or late payments if you can demonstrate reasonable cause. Some common reasons include:
To request a waiver, you will need to explain your situation in writing when you file your tax return or respond to a notice from the IRS.
Properly managing payroll obligations and estimated tax payments is crucial for businesses to remain compliant with IRS regulations and avoid penalties. Below are the key deadlines and important details you need to know for the 2025 tax year.
1. January 31, 2025: Issue W-2 Forms to Employees
2. January 31, 2025: File W-2 Forms with the Social Security Administration (SSA)
3. January 31, 2025: Issue and File Form 1099-NEC
4. February 28, 2025: File Form 1099-MISC (Paper Filing)
5. March 31, 2025: File Form 1099-MISC (Electronic Filing)
Important Notes:
Estimated tax payments are periodic installments made to the IRS on income that is not subject to withholding. This includes income from self-employment, interest, dividends, rent, and gains from the sale of assets.
C corporations must make estimated tax payments if they expect to owe $500 or more in taxes for the tax year. The estimated tax payment schedule for the 2025 tax year is as follows:
First Quarter: April 15, 2025
Second Quarter: June 17, 2025
Third Quarter: September 15, 2025
Fourth Quarter: December 15, 2025
Note: Corporations with a fiscal year different from the calendar year should adjust these dates accordingly, making payments on the 15th day of the 4th, 6th, 9th, and 12th months of their fiscal year.
Individuals—including sole proprietors, partners, and S corporation shareholders—must make estimated tax payments if they expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes when their return is filed.
The estimated tax payment deadlines for individuals for the 2025 tax year are:
First Quarter: April 15, 2025
Second Quarter: June 17, 2025
Third Quarter: September 15, 2025
Fourth Quarter: January 15, 2026
Important Notes:
Calculating Estimated Taxes:
Safe Harbor Rules:
Methods of Payment:
Penalties for Underpayment:
Annualized Income Method:
As 2025 approaches, businesses need to be aware of several important changes in tax rules and regulations that could impact their filings and tax liabilities. These updates include adjustments for inflation, new tax credits, changes in retirement plan contributions, and revised reporting forms. Below is a detailed guide to the most significant tax changes businesses need to know for 2025.
One of the most notable changes for businesses in 2025 is the introduction of new and expanded tax credits for purchasing clean vehicles, such as electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles. These credits are designed to encourage businesses to adopt more sustainable practices and reduce their carbon footprint.
Every year, the IRS adjusts several tax-related amounts to account for inflation. These adjustments can affect everything from tax brackets to deductions, so it’s important for businesses to understand how inflation may impact their tax planning in 2025.
Retirement plan contribution limits have increased for 2025, offering businesses and their employees greater opportunities to save for retirement while reducing their taxable income.
Businesses that experienced losses in 2024, especially pass-through entities like partnerships and S corporations, may benefit from the new Form 172 for claiming Net Operating Losses (NOLs). Previously, NOLs were reported on individual and entity-level tax returns, but Form 172 standardizes the process for pass-through entities.
Changes in depreciation rules and bonus depreciation may significantly impact capital investments made by businesses in 2025. Bonus depreciation, in particular, has been phased down.
The Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit remains a valuable opportunity for businesses that invest in innovation, new products, or process improvements. The credit provides businesses with a dollar-for-dollar reduction in tax liability based on eligible R&D expenditures.
When disasters strike, the IRS often provides tax relief in the form of extended deadlines and other accommodations to businesses located in federally declared disaster areas. In 2025, several important updates and considerations apply to businesses affected by such events.
Businesses located in federally declared disaster areas are typically granted automatic extensions for filing their tax returns and paying taxes. These extensions are aimed at helping businesses recover without the added pressure of meeting tax deadlines during a crisis.
Hurricane Helene Example (2025): In the wake of Hurricane Helene, which occurred in September 2024, the IRS provided extended deadlines to businesses located in the affected areas. Victims of the hurricane were given until May 1, 2025, to file their 2024 tax returns, including any taxes owed. This extension was automatic for businesses located within the designated disaster zones.
General Extension Policy: Typically, the IRS grants a 60-day extension from the original tax filing and payment deadlines for businesses in disaster areas. However, in certain cases, extensions may be longer, particularly if the disaster causes widespread damage or prolonged recovery efforts.
Eligibility: To qualify for disaster-related extensions, businesses must be located in a region that has been declared a federal disaster area by the President of the United States. Businesses outside the area but with records, tax preparers, or financial operations within the disaster zone may also be eligible for relief.
The IRS provides additional relief programs to businesses affected by disasters beyond just extended deadlines. These programs can help businesses recover financially while managing their tax obligations.
Casualty Loss Deductions: Businesses can claim deductions for casualty losses resulting from a disaster, such as damage to property, equipment, or inventory. The loss can be deducted on the tax return for the year in which the disaster occurred, or businesses may opt to amend the previous year’s return and claim the loss earlier to receive a quicker tax refund.
How Casualty Loss Deductions Work:
Special Considerations for Farms: The IRS provides special relief to farmers in disaster areas, including more flexible loss deductions and tax credits for damaged or destroyed crops and livestock. For example, in the case of severe drought, farmers may defer reporting forced sales of livestock to the following tax year.
Even in the aftermath of a disaster, businesses are still responsible for withholding and remitting payroll taxes to the IRS. However, for businesses in disaster areas, the IRS may provide additional time to comply with payroll tax obligations and estimated tax payments.
Extended Payroll Tax Deadlines: Businesses in disaster zones may receive an extension for filing Form 941 (Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return) and depositing withheld payroll taxes. The extension typically mirrors the extended deadlines for income tax returns.
Estimated Tax Payment Extensions: For businesses that need to make estimated tax payments, the IRS may extend the due dates for these payments, giving businesses additional time to calculate and pay their quarterly taxes. In disaster situations, estimated tax payments due within the designated disaster period may be postponed to the same extended deadline as income tax returns.
The IRS recognizes that businesses affected by disasters may not be able to respond promptly to audits, tax notices, or requests for information. As a result, certain IRS enforcement actions may be postponed or delayed for businesses in disaster areas.
IRS Notices: If your business receives an IRS notice during or shortly after a disaster, the IRS may grant you additional time to respond without imposing penalties or interest. You may also be able to request a hold on collection activities if your business is unable to make tax payments due to disaster-related financial hardship.
Suspension of Audits: In some cases, the IRS may temporarily suspend audits or collection activities for businesses located in disaster zones. If an audit was already underway before the disaster, you can request that the IRS postpone any further action until your business has had time to recover.
It is critical for businesses to verify their eligibility for disaster-related tax relief and extensions. The IRS publishes a list of disaster relief announcements on its website, which includes details on:
Businesses that experience property damage due to a disaster must use Form 4684, Casualties and Thefts, to report losses. This form allows businesses to calculate the amount of deductible loss after accounting for insurance reimbursements and other compensation.
Disasters can have a long-term impact on a business’s financial health and tax obligations. To prepare for future events, businesses should consider adopting proactive tax planning strategies:
Business Continuity Planning: Establish a disaster recovery plan that includes maintaining secure, off-site backups of important financial records. These records are essential for preparing tax returns and claiming casualty loss deductions if your business is affected by a disaster.
Tax-Deferred Disaster Relief Accounts: Some businesses may choose to set aside funds in a disaster relief account to help cover losses and expenses in the event of a disaster. These accounts may offer tax benefits, and the funds can be used to pay for repairs, inventory replacement, and other recovery-related costs.
Insurance Coverage: Ensure that your business has adequate insurance coverage for disaster-related property damage and loss of income. The IRS requires that casualty losses be reduced by any insurance payments, so it is important to have the appropriate coverage in place.
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