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February 2026 Tax Deadlines: A Guide for Business Owners

February 2026 Tax Deadlines: A Guide for Business Owners

For busy entrepreneurs, February marks a crucial period for wrapping up last year's financial reporting. This month is packed with important due dates for payroll forms, information returns, and tax deposits. Staying organized is key to avoiding penalties and maintaining financial control. Here’s a breakdown of the deadlines you can't afford to miss.

The Main Event: February 2nd Deadlines

Monday, February 2, 2026, is one of the most significant dates of the tax year for businesses. Multiple critical forms are due to recipients and government agencies.

Forms for Employees & Contractors

  • Form W-2: You must furnish 2025 W-2 forms to all employees by this date. Copy A, along with Form W-3, must also be filed with the Social Security Administration.
  • Form 1099-NEC: If your business paid $600 or more for nonemployee compensation in 2025, you must provide Form 1099-NEC to those contractors. This is a common requirement for our service-based and digital-first business clients who utilize freelancers. A copy must also be filed with the IRS by this date.
  • Other Information Returns: Forms 1098, W-2G, and other 1099s (e.g., for rent, interest, or dividends) must be sent to recipients by February 2. Note that the IRS copies for these (excluding the 1099-NEC) are generally due later.

Our firm handles 1099 preparation and filing, ensuring your forms are correct and submitted on time, whether you need to file a few or are subject to the 10+ return electronic filing mandate.

Annual & Quarterly Payroll Filings

  • Form 941 (Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return): The fourth quarter 2025 return is due.
  • Form 940 (Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax Return): File for the 2025 tax year.
  • Form 943 (Employer's Annual Federal Tax Return for Agricultural Employees): Farm employers must file for 2025.
  • Form 945 (Annual Return of Withheld Federal Income Tax): Report nonpayroll income tax withholding from 2025.

For these forms, if your tax liability is under $2,500, you can typically pay it with the return. If you've already deposited all taxes in full and on time, you may have an extended deadline.

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The Second Wave: February 10th Extended Deadlines

If you made timely deposits for the full amount of tax due, the IRS gives you until February 10 to file Forms 940, 941, 943, 944, and 945. This extension is a reward for diligent compliance throughout the year, but it requires that your deposits were made correctly and on time.

Mid-Month Checkpoints: February 17th Deadlines

The month isn't over yet. Tuesday, February 17 (due to the weekend and Presidents' Day) brings another set of deadlines:

  • Information Statements: Forms 1099-B (Broker Transactions), 1099-S (Real Estate Proceeds), and certain 1099-MISC forms must be furnished to recipients.
  • Monthly Deposits: If you are on a monthly deposit schedule for Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income tax (both payroll and nonpayroll), your deposit for January 2026 is due.
  • Withholding Exemption: You must begin withholding income tax for employees who claimed an exemption in 2025 but have not submitted a new Form W-4 for 2026.

Important Considerations

Weekends & Holidays

If a tax deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the due date automatically shifts to the next business day.

Disaster Area Extensions

The IRS often provides filing extensions to taxpayers in federally declared disaster areas. To see if you qualify for relief, check these official resources:

  • FEMA: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations
  • IRS: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations

Navigate February Tax Season with Confidence

Managing these deadlines while running your business can feel like a significant burden. At TaxxGuy LLC, our goal is to provide the clarity and expertise you need to handle your tax obligations with less stress. If you need assistance with your year-end forms or want to plan ahead for the coming year, our team is here to help.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and ensure your business stays compliant and in control.

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