If You Owe Taxes, When Is the Payment Due?
Navigate your federal tax obligations with this guide. Discover key payment deadlines, various submission methods, and solutions for financial challenges.
Understanding tax payment deadlines is crucial for managing financial obligations. While paying federal income taxes can seem complex, knowing key dates and available payment methods helps avoid potential issues. This article clarifies when tax payments are due and outlines options for fulfilling these requirements.
The Standard Tax Payment Due Date
For most individual taxpayers, the federal income tax payment deadline for the 2025 tax year is April 15, 2026. This date applies to income earned from January 1 through December 31, 2025. If April 15 falls on a weekend or a holiday, the deadline shifts to the next business day.
An extension to file is not an extension to pay. Filing Form 4868 grants an automatic six-month extension to submit your tax return, pushing the filing deadline to October 15, 2026, for the 2025 tax year. However, this does not extend the deadline for paying any taxes owed. Penalties and interest may still apply to unpaid balances after the original April 15 due date. State income tax payment due dates often align with the federal schedule, but taxpayers should verify specific dates with their state tax authorities.
When Estimated Taxes Are Due
Estimated taxes are payments made throughout the year to cover income not subject to withholding, such as earnings from self-employment, investments, or rental properties. Individuals who expect to owe at least $1,000 in federal tax for the year need to make these payments. Corporations need to pay estimated taxes if they expect to owe $500 or more.
Estimated tax payments are due in four installments throughout the year. For the 2025 tax year, the due dates are April 15, 2025, for the first quarter; June 16, 2025, for the second quarter; September 15, 2025, for the third quarter; and January 15, 2026, for the fourth quarter. If any of these dates fall on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is extended to the next business day.
How to Make Your Tax Payment
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers several methods for making federal tax payments. One option is IRS Direct Pay, a free online service that allows payments directly from a checking or savings account. This method provides instant confirmation and allows scheduling payments up to two business days in advance.
Taxpayers can also pay using a debit card, credit card, or digital wallet through third-party payment processors. While convenient, these processors charge a convenience fee, which can range from 1.75% to 2.35% of the payment amount. Another option is to pay by mail using a check or money order, made payable to the “U.S. Treasury.” The payment should include the taxpayer’s name, address, Social Security number, tax year, and related form number, and it should be sent with a payment voucher like Form 1040-V.
Options If You Cannot Pay on Time
If you cannot pay your federal tax liability by the due date, several relief options are available through the IRS. It is recommended to pay as much as you can by the deadline to minimize penalties and interest. Contacting the IRS promptly is important to explore these solutions.
A short-term payment plan allows taxpayers up to 180 additional days to pay their tax debt in full, provided they owe less than $100,000 in combined tax, penalties, and interest. For those needing more time, an installment agreement allows monthly payments for up to 72 months. Individuals owing $50,000 or less in combined tax, penalties, and interest may qualify for a simplified agreement. An Offer in Compromise (OIC) may allow you to settle your tax debt for a lower amount than what is owed, based on your ability to pay, income, expenses, and asset equity. To qualify for an OIC, taxpayers must be current on all required tax filings and estimated payments.