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Key Business Tax Deadlines for February 2026

Navigating Critical February 2026 Due Dates

As we close the books on 2025, February marks a pivotal month for business tax compliance. Properly handling payroll forms, information returns, and tax deposits is essential for avoiding penalties and potential IRS notices down the road. Here’s a breakdown of the key deadlines you can't afford to miss.

February 2: Year-End Reporting for Payments and Wages

This is a major deadline for reporting payments made to individuals during 2025.

  • Form 1099-NEC for Contractors: If your business or rental property paid $600 or more for services to non-employees in 2025, you must issue Form 1099-NEC to them by this date. A copy must also be filed with the IRS. As tax problem specialists, we often see issues arise from improperly filed 1099s. We can prepare these forms in the required OCR format to ensure compliance. Note that businesses filing 10 or more information returns must file electronically.
  • Forms 1098 and Other 1099s for Recipients: Various other information returns, such as Form 1098 (Mortgage Interest) and other 1099s (for dividends, rent, royalties, etc.), must be sent to recipients by February 2. The IRS copies for most of these forms are due later.
  • Form W-2 for Employees: Employers must provide all employees with their 2025 Form W-2. Copy A of the W-2s, along with the transmittal Form W-3, must also be filed with the Social Security Administration by this date.
  • Form W-2G for Gambling Winnings: Payers must provide Form W-2G to individuals who received reportable gambling winnings.

February 2: Annual & Quarterly Payroll Tax Filings

Several key federal payroll tax forms are due at the beginning of the month.

  • Form 941 (Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return): The return for the fourth quarter of 2025 is due. Any undeposited taxes must be paid. If you made timely deposits throughout the quarter, you have an extended deadline of February 10.
  • Form 940 (Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment Tax Return): File Form 940 for 2025. If all your FUTA taxes were deposited on time, the filing deadline is extended to February 10.
  • Form 943 (Employer's Annual Federal Tax Return for Agricultural Employees): Farm employers must file to report 2025 social security, Medicare, and withheld income taxes. A February 10 extension applies for those who made timely deposits.
  • Form 945 (Annual Return of Withheld Federal Income Tax): This form covers income tax withheld on nonpayroll items like pensions and gambling winnings. The same February 10 extension is available if all taxes were deposited on time.

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February 10: Extended Filing Deadline

This date is the extended deadline for filing Forms 940, 941, 943, 944, and 945 if you deposited all associated taxes for the period in full and on time.

February 17: Additional Deadlines

  • Certain Information Statements Due: Forms 1099-B, 1099-S, and specific 1099-MISC filings are due to recipients.
  • Monthly Tax Deposits: If you follow the monthly deposit rule, deposit taxes for Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income (both payroll and nonpayroll) for January.
  • Begin Withholding for Certain Employees: Start withholding income tax for employees who claimed an exemption in 2025 but did not submit a new Form W-4 for 2026.

Important Considerations

Remember, if a deadline falls on a weekend or legal holiday, it automatically shifts to the next business day. Furthermore, the IRS often grants extensions for taxpayers in federally declared disaster areas. You can verify affected regions on the FEMA and IRS websites.

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

Staying on top of these dates is the first step in avoiding tax trouble. If you find yourself overwhelmed or are already facing an IRS issue, our focus is singular: solving tax problems. Contact our office for dedicated assistance.

Call Today
We solve tax problems for individuals and help tax pros solve tax problems for their clients.
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