Keeping track of business tax deadlines is an important part of maintaining your business’s finances, regulatory compliance, and operations. Submitting your taxes on time helps you avoid paying penalties and interest, which can drain your budget and require internal resources to handle. Consistent tax compliance also boosts your company’s credibility with tax authorities and financial institutions, which can make it easier to secure future credit or funding.

In this guide, we’ll discuss the 2025 tax deadlines you need to know, how to file business tax returns, and more.

What’s in this article?

• Types of business taxes
  
• Business tax deadlines in 2025
  
• How to file a business tax return
  
• Deadlines for tax payments
  
• When and how to file for tax extensions
  
• What are state and local tax deadlines?
  

Types of business taxes

In the United States, businesses are subject to a variety of taxes at the federal and state levels. Cities and counties might collect their own business taxes as well, such as a local license tax or a gross receipts tax. The specific taxes a business must pay depend on its legal structure (e.g., sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation) and the nature of its activities. Here’s a rundown of the common types of business taxes.

Federal taxes

• Income tax: All businesses must file an annual income tax return. (The exception is partnerships, which file an information return.) Corporations are taxed at their own rates, while the profits and losses of sole proprietorships and partnerships pass through to the owners’ personal tax returns.

• Self-employment tax: This tax applies to sole proprietors, general partners, and usually members of limited liability companies (LLCs). It covers Social Security and Medicare taxes, which are normally withheld from employees’ wages.

• Employment taxes: Businesses with employees are responsible for withholding and paying federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare taxes on employee wages. They also have to pay federal unemployment tax.

• Excise tax: This tax applies to specific goods and services such as fuel, alcohol, tobacco, and certain types of manufacturing. The amount of the excise tax varies depending on the item or service.

State taxes

• Income tax: Most states collect income tax from businesses, although the rates and rules differ. Some states also have a gross receipts tax based on a business’s total revenue.

• Sales tax: A majority of states have a sales tax, which is a percentage of the sales price of goods and services. Businesses are responsible for collecting sales tax from customers and remitting it to the state.

• Property tax: Businesses that own real estate or other property have to pay property tax, which is based on the assessed value of the property.

• Unemployment tax: States have their own unemployment tax programs so businesses typically have to pay state unemployment tax in addition to federal unemployment tax.

• Franchise tax: Some states impose a franchise tax on corporations and other business entities for the privilege of doing business in the state.

Business tax deadlines in 2025

Here are some key US business tax deadlines for 2025:

• January 15, 2025: Deadline for corporations that operate on a fiscal year to pay estimated tax for the fourth quarter of 2024

• January 31, 2025: Deadline for businesses to file W-2 forms with the Social Security Administration and provide copies to their employees, as well as the deadline for filing Form 1099-NEC with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to report nonemployee compensation

• March 15, 2025: Deadline for partnerships and S corporations (S corps) to file their 2024 tax returns or request an extension

• April 15, 2025 (Tax Day): Deadline for sole proprietors to file Schedule C of Form 1040 on their personal tax returns, for C corporations (C corps) to file their 2024 tax returns or request an extension, and for businesses to pay estimated tax for the first quarter of 2025

• June 16, 2025: Deadline for businesses to pay estimated tax for the second quarter of 2025

• September 15, 2025: Deadline for businesses to pay estimated tax for the third quarter of 2025, as well as the extended deadline for partnerships and S corps to file their 2024 tax returns if they requested an extension

• October 15, 2025: Extended deadline for sole proprietors and C corps to file their 2024 tax returns if they requested an extension

• December 15, 2025: Deadline for corporations that operate on a calendar year to pay estimated tax for the fourth quarter of 2025

How to file a business tax return

Filing your business’s tax return doesn’t have to be overly complicated. Here’s a closer look at the filing process and what you’ll need to do to complete your return.

Organize your financial records

• Gather all necessary financial statements, such as income statements, balance sheets, payroll records, and receipts for expenses.

• Ensure all transactions are accurately recorded on the company’s books.

Determine which tax forms to file

• Identify the forms your business needs to complete based on its structure. Corporations file IRS Form 1120, S corps file Form 1120-S, partnerships file Form 1065, and sole proprietors include business income and expenses in Schedule C of Form 1040.

• Additional forms might be required for deductions, credits, or specific business activities (e.g., Form 4562 for depreciation), depending on the transaction.

Calculate your income and expenses

• Total all revenue streams, including sales, services, returns, and allowances.

• Tally deductible expenses, which can include salaries, supplies, rent, equipment depreciation, and travel.

Complete the forms

• Accurately complete your required tax forms. This involves reporting your total income and expenses and calculating the taxable profit or loss.

• Apply for any eligible deductions (e.g., Section 179 deductions) or credits that can reduce your tax liability.

Review for accuracy

• Review the returns to check for any errors in income, deductions, or credit calculations.

• Consider having a tax professional review the forms to ensure everything is correct and refined for tax savings.

Submit the return

• Decide whether you want to file electronically or by mail. Electronic filing is the faster and more secure method.

• If your business owes taxes, arrange for payment via electronic transfer, check, or another approved method. If you made estimated payments, ensure they’re accounted for in your filing.

Keep all your records

• Store copies of the filed tax return and all supporting documents for at least seven years to comply with IRS guidelines.
  

Plan ahead for next year

• Based on this year’s profit or loss, adjust your estimated tax payments for the next year to avoid underpayment or overpayment.

• Review financial tactics and accounting practices annually to refine the process for the next cycle.

Deadlines for tax payments

Below are the general deadlines for the most common types of tax payments.

Estimated tax payments

• Individuals and sole proprietors: Estimated taxes are paid quarterly and are typically due on April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year.

• Corporations: Estimated tax payments are also due quarterly for corporations. The due dates are April 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15 for corporations that operate on a calendar year.

Employment taxes

• Monthly depositors: Employment taxes (including withheld income taxes and both the employer’s and employees’ shares of Social Security and Medicare taxes) must be paid by the 15th of the following month.

• Semiweekly depositors: For payroll paid on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or all three days, deposits are due by the following Wednesday. For payroll paid on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, or all four days, deposits are due by the following Friday.

Excise taxes

• Deadlines can vary depending on the specific type of excise tax, but payments are usually due quarterly or annually. Businesses should refer to the instructions on Form 720 for specific filing dates.
  

Sales tax

• Businesses might need to file monthly, quarterly, or annually. Specific deadlines are set by each state.
  

Corporate income tax

• The typical deadline for filing corporate income tax returns is April 15. For corporations that operate on a fiscal year, the deadline is the 15th day of the 4th month following the end of their fiscal year.

• If an extension is filed, the deadline to submit the tax return is often six months after the original due date.

Partnership and S corp returns

• Calendar year filers: The deadline is March 15.

• Fiscal year filers: The deadline is the 15th day of the 3rd month after the end of their fiscal year.

• Extensions: If an extension is requested, partnerships and S corps have until September 15 to file their returns.

When and how to file for tax extensions

Most businesses are eligible to file for an extension. Individuals can also file for an extension on their personal tax returns. An extension only pushes back the deadline for filing your return, not the deadline for paying any taxes owed. You must estimate your tax liability and pay any taxes by the original deadline to avoid penalties and interest.

Some taxpayers might automatically qualify for an extension without filing, such as those who live abroad or serve in the military in a combat zone. Those who don’t automatically qualify must file for an extension by the original due date for their returns. This means:

• Partnerships and S corps must file for an extension by March 15

• C corps and sole proprietorships must file for an extension by April 15

• Individuals must file for an extension by April 15

There are several ways to file for an extension, including the following:

• E-filing: Electronically file an extension with the help of tax preparation software or a tax professional. This method often provides immediate confirmation that your extension has been granted.

• IRS Free File: If you make $84,000 or less, you can use the IRS Free File program to e-file an extension at no cost.

• Paying your estimated taxes online: If you pay your estimated taxes online through the IRS website or a payment processor and indicate that the payment is for an extension, the IRS will automatically grant you an extension.

• Form 4868: File Form 4868 (Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File US Individual Income Tax Return) electronically or by mail. This form requires you to estimate your tax liability and pay any taxes owed.

If you need an extension for state taxes, you’ll need to file a separate extension with your state’s tax agency. The process and deadlines might differ from those for a federal extension.

What are state and local tax deadlines?

State and local tax deadlines vary depending on where your business is located and the specific taxes to which you’re subject. Here’s an overview of common state and local tax deadlines.

State income tax

Filing dates are typically in line with the federal income tax deadline, which is usually April 15 for calendar year filers. If April 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is the next business day.

Most states also enable filing extensions, and returns are generally then due on October 15. As with federal taxes, the extension doesn’t apply to tax payments.

Sales tax

Sales tax returns can be due monthly, quarterly, or annually, depending on the amount of sales tax a business collects and specific state requirements. This means:

• Monthly filers generally must file by the 20th of the month following the reporting period

• Quarterly filers typically must file by the last day of the month following the end of the quarter

• Annual filers often need to file by January 31 for the previous year’s sales.

Property tax

Deadlines for filing and paying property tax differ by locality. Property taxes are usually paid to county or city governments, and the deadlines can range from one single payment to multiple installments throughout the year.

Payroll taxes

State unemployment taxes are often due quarterly, similar to federal unemployment tax filings.

Withheld taxes might be due weekly, biweekly, monthly, or quarterly, depending on the amount withheld and specific state rules.

Excise taxes

These taxes are specific to certain industries and deadlines vary based on the specific tax and the state.