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Key February 2026 Tax Deadlines Your Business Can't Afford to Miss

Key February 2026 Tax Deadlines Your Business Can't Afford to Miss

For savvy business owners, tax deadlines aren't just administrative hurdles; they're strategic checkpoints. February is packed with critical filing dates for 2025 year-end reporting, from payroll forms to information returns. Missing them can lead to unnecessary penalties, while managing them effectively is a sign of a well-run operation. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know.

The Early February Filing Push

The beginning of the month is the most intense period for year-end compliance. Several crucial forms for employees, contractors, and the government are due simultaneously.

February 2: Forms for Your People (W-2s & 1099-NECs)

This is the deadline to get 2025's key earnings statements into the hands of your team and file them with the government.

  • Form W-2: You must provide copies to all employees and submit Copy A, along with Form W-3, to the Social Security Administration. Accuracy here is vital for your employees' personal tax filings.
  • Form 1099-NEC: If you paid an independent contractor, freelancer, or attorney $600 or more for services in 2025, you must provide them with a Form 1099-NEC and file a copy with the IRS by this date. This is a common tripwire for businesses, so ensure you have all contractor W-9s on hand.

February 2: Other Information Returns Due to Recipients

While the IRS filing deadline for these forms may be later, you are required to furnish copies to the recipients by February 2. This includes forms like:

  • Form 1099-MISC: For payments like rent, royalties, or prizes.
  • Form 1098: Mortgage Interest Statement.
  • Other 1099s: Reporting income from dividends, interest, retirement plan distributions, and more.

February 2: Quarterly and Annual Payroll Tax Filings

Several significant payroll and unemployment tax returns for 2025 are due:

  • Form 941 (Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return): File for the fourth quarter of 2025 and deposit any remaining tax.
  • 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): For farm employers to report FICA and withheld income tax for 2025.
  • Form 945 (Annual Return of Withheld Federal Income Tax): For reporting income tax withheld on nonpayroll items, such as pensions, annuities, and backup withholding.

Don’t leave money behind. Start your tax return today.
Get every dollar you deserve. Start your tax return today. We help working families, single parents, and self-employed earners file accurate tax returns that capture every available credit and deduction—quickly, clearly, and in full compliance with IRS rules. Simple process. Real support. Results you can trust.
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Mid-Month Deadlines and Important Details

The action doesn't stop after the first week. Mid-February brings extended deadlines for diligent filers and other key dates.

February 10: The Reward for Timely Deposits

Did you deposit all your employment taxes on time throughout the year? The IRS gives you a little breathing room. If you made timely deposits in full, the filing deadline for Forms 940, 941, 943, 944, and 945 is extended to February 10.

February 17: Deposits and Final Information Returns

A few more deadlines land mid-month:

  • Information Statements: Forms 1099-B (Broker Transactions), 1099-S (Real Estate Proceeds), and certain 1099-MISC filings are due to recipients.
  • Monthly Tax Deposits: If you follow a monthly deposit schedule for Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income tax, your deposit for January is due.
  • Employee Withholding Update: You must begin withholding income tax for any employee who claimed exemption in 2025 but has not submitted a new Form W-4 to continue that exemption into 2026.

Navigating Your Obligations

Remember, if a due date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, it automatically shifts to the next business day. Additionally, the IRS often provides extensions for businesses located in federally declared disaster areas. You can check for these extensions on the official FEMA and IRS websites.

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

Turn Tax Compliance into a Strategic Advantage

Meeting these deadlines is about more than just avoiding penalties—it's about maintaining a clean financial house and making informed decisions year-round. If you're tired of reacting to tax deadlines and want to build a proactive strategy, we can help. At True Tax Strategies LLC, we don't just file forms; we engineer outcomes. Contact us today to discuss your business tax needs.

Don’t leave money behind. Start your tax return today.
Get every dollar you deserve. Start your tax return today. We help working families, single parents, and self-employed earners file accurate tax returns that capture every available credit and deduction—quickly, clearly, and in full compliance with IRS rules. Simple process. Real support. Results you can trust.
CLICK HERE
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