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Key Tax Deadlines for Individuals in September 2025

As September 2025 approaches, it is crucial for individuals to stay informed about important tax deadlines, particularly those involving tip reporting and estimated tax payments. Understanding safe harbor rules, learning how to mitigate penalties, and planning strategically for the 2026 tax year can significantly enhance your tax management efficiency.

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September 10 - Report Tips to Employer

Employees who earn tips must report any tips over $20 received in August to their employer by September 10 using IRS Form 4070. Employers are responsible for withholding FICA taxes and income tax from these tips along with regular wages. If regular wages aren't enough to cover these withholdings, uncollected amounts will be reported in box 8 of your W-2. You will need to settle these uncollected taxes when you file your annual return.

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September 15 - Estimated Tax Payment Due

September 15 marks the deadline for the third installment of individual estimated taxes for 2025. Remember, our tax system operates on a "pay-as-you-earn" basis. To comply, you can leverage several methods:

  • Payroll withholding for employees;
  • Pension withholding for retirees;
  • Estimated tax payments for self-employed individuals and those with income not subject to withholding.

Failure to satisfy the safe harbor—or minimum payment—can result in underpayment penalties calculated by adding 3 percentage points to the federal short-term rate. This is assessed quarterly.

Federal law provides ways to avoid such penalties:

  • No penalty if the underpayment is under $1,000 (de minimis amount).
  • Payments meet either of two safe harbors:
    • Cover 90% of the current year's tax liability.
    • Meet prior year's tax obligations—generally 100% of the previous year’s liability or 110% if last year's Adjusted Gross Income exceeded $150,000 ($75,000 if married filing separately).

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Example:

Your tax for the year amounts to $10,000, with $5,600 prepaid. As 90% of $10,000 is $9,000, your prepayments don't meet this first safe harbor. However, if your previous year’s tax was $5,000, your $5,600 payment exceeds 110% of that ($5,500), qualifying you for undue penalty protection.

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This underscores the importance of adequate prepayments, essential when there’s income uptick due to stock sales, property transactions, bonuses, or retirement. Timely installment payments are mandatory for penalty exemptions. If you need advice on your prepayments, contact our office immediately.

Notice

State-specific de minimis and safe harbor rules may differ from federal guidelines. Check with us to ensure compliance with state-specific regulations.

Weekends & Holidays

Deadlines falling on weekends or legal holidays extend automatically to the next business day that's not a holiday.

Disaster Area Extensions

Tax deadlines in federally declared disaster zones are extended. Verify disaster status and due dates via the FEMA or IRS websites for updated information.

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