Federal Income Tax Deadline in 2022

After the COVID-19 pandemic pushed back the filing deadline for federal income taxes two years in a row, taxes for the 2021 tax year will once again be due in April.

Circle April 18, 2022, on your calendar because that’s the one general date by which most filers need to get returns into the IRS. While taxes are typically due on April 15, this year’s Tax Day falls on Emancipation Day, a legal holiday observed in Washington, D.C. As a result, most filers will have until the next business day, April 18, to submit their tax returns.

However, you may have a different deadline if you filed for an extension or if you are a corporation. Here’s a rundown of all the deadlines you need to keep track of.

Given fluid tax filing rules it’s important to ensure your investments are protected. A financial advisor can help you make sure your tax filings don’t unnecessarily hurt your assets. 

2022 Federal Income Tax Deadline for 2021 Tax Returns

The filing deadline for the 2021 tax year is April 18, which falls on a Monday. If you need even more time to complete your 2021 federal return you can request a six-month extension by filing Form 4868 through your tax professional, tax software or using the Free File link on IRS.gov. Filing Form 4868 gives taxpayers six extra months to file their 2021 tax return but does not grant an extension of time to pay taxes due. You may owe a late payment penalty on any tax not paid by the original due date of your return.

If you mail in your return, it must be postmarked April 18, 2022, or sooner. The IRS typically issues refunds within 21 days after a tax return is filed.

People who still want to contribute to an individual retirement account (IRA) for the 2021 tax year still need to make contributions by April 15, 2022. It is also necessary to include contributions made to traditional IRAs on your tax return. If you contributed to a Roth IRA during 2021, you won’t need to report those contributions on your tax return.

On another note, April 18, 2022, is the deadline for self-employed individuals who need to make their first quarterly estimated tax payments of the 2022 tax year. Since self-employed workers do not have an employer withholding Social Security and Medicare taxes, as well as income tax, the IRS requires these workers to pay estimated taxes on a quarterly basis. You can file your estimated payments with form 1040-ES. The other estimated tax payment deadlines are June 15, 2022, for the second quarter; Sept. 15, 2022, for the third quarter; and Jan. 18, 2023, for the fourth quarter.

Deadlines for December Tornado Victims

Following the disaster declarations issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the IRS announced relief for victims of the December tornadoes, severe storms and flooding in parts of Kentucky, Illinois and Tennessee.

Affected individuals and businesses in certain areas of these states will have until May 16, 2022, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due on or after Dec. 10, 2021. This includes 2021 individual income tax returns due on April 18, as well as various 2021 business returns normally due on March 15 and April 18. As a result, affected taxpayers will also have until May 16 to make 2021 IRA contributions.

The May 16 deadline also applies to the quarterly estimated tax payments  normally due on Jan. 18 and April 18, as well as the quarterly payroll and excise tax returns originally due on Jan, 18. As a result, taxpayers can skip making their Jan. 18 payment and simply include it with their 2021 return. Additionally, the quarterly payroll and excise tax returns that were originally due on Jan. 31, 2022 and May 2, 2022 now can be filed by May 16, 2022.

Deadline for Hurricane Ida Victims

Tax filing deadlines for residents of six different states impacted by Hurricane Ida have also been moved back. Victims of Hurricane Ida who live in Connecticut, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania now have until Feb. 15, 2022, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

The IRS has postponed various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred starting on dates that vary by state:

• Aug. 26, 2021, for Louisiana
• Aug. 28, 2021, for Mississippi
• Aug. 31, 2021, for Pennsylvania
• Sept. 1, 2021, for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut

Individuals and businesses impacted by the storm will have until Feb. 15, 2022, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during these  periods. The extension also applies to quarterly estimated income tax payments that were due on Sept. 15, 2021, and Jan. 18, 2022. As a result, taxpayers in these areas can now skip making their estimated tax payments for the third and fourth quarters of 2021 and simply include them when they file their 2021 return.

Deadline for Business Taxes

If you are a business, the due date for your tax forms will depend on what kind of business you are. The deadline for most corporations (Form 1120) and any other business individuals who file Form 1040 is the same as the standard tax deadline, April 18, 2022, unless you file for an extension.

However, the deadline for S-corporations (Form 1120-S) and partnerships (1065) to submit their tax forms is March 15, 2022. If you file for an extension, you will have an additional six months to submit your tax return.

Corporations with a fiscal year ending on June 30 may have a different income tax deadline. In this case, it’s best to speak with a tax professional to ensure you file by the correct deadline.

State Tax Deadlines for Filing 2021 Individual Returns

Most states require individual taxpayers to file their state income taxes by Tax Day. That’s easy to remember because it is the same deadline as the federal tax deadline. However, there are several states that impose different deadlines and nine states that have no income tax. You can see the deadline for each state and the District of Columbia in the table below.

The Bottom Line

The tax deadline for the majority of taxpayers to file their 2021 federal income taxes is Friday, April 18, 2022. If you need more time for file your taxes, you can request an extension. A tax extension gives you six additional months and brings your tax deadline into mid-October.  State income taxes are mostly due on tax day just like federal income taxes. However, there are four states with a different (later) deadline and there are also nine states with no income tax.

Tips for Filing Your Taxes

• A good way to set yourself up for success is to plan for your taxes throughout the year. A financial advisor can provide valuable insight and guidance for this process. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serves your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
• Filing taxes no longer has to be a pain thanks to a variety of easy-to-use and affordable tax filing services. Here’s a breakdown of the two the most popular services: H&R Block and TurboTax.

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