Important Tax Return Deadlines for 2021 Returns

Here is an overview of deadline dates, return types, dates to receive your forms, extensions, etc., and a brief description with helpful tips.   Make sure you adhere to the deadlines and do all you can to be tax-efficient now and in the future.

January 31, 2022 – Your W-2 Salary Income, 1099 Income, and tax deduction-related forms and documents.

By that date, you should have all documents in your possession. Do not prepare or e-file prior to that as this might result in a tax amendment if you miss forms on your return.

01-10/15/2022 – 2022 IRS Tax Refund Estimate Date

Estimate the date you may receive your 2021 federal tax refund from the IRS after you e-filed or filed an accepted 2021 federal tax return.

April 18, 2022  – 2021 Tax Return Deadline!

This deadline has changed from April 15 to April 18 in 2022 due to the Emancipation Day in Washington DC. The 2022 IRS income tax return day for 2021 Income Tax Returns! If you owe, we suggest you don’t wait to file in case you have last-minute questions. In addition, you will not jeopardize the tax deadline if you owe taxes. In most cases, late filing penalties are higher than late tax payment penalties.

April 18, 2022 – 2021 State Return(s) plus IRS Income Tax Return. Find exact state deadlines by state(s).

A state return – except California – can only be filed in conjunction with a federal return due to IRS/state regulations.

April 18, 2022 – Prepare ONLY 2021 State Income Tax Return(s), without an IRS return.

Per IRS/State regulations, you cannot just e-file a state return only, except for CA returns. You can, however, prepare a state return, download, print, sign, and mail the state forms to the respective state(s).

April 18, 2022 -2021 IRS Tax Return Extension

Tax extensions should only be used when you need more time to prepare to file, not more time to pay.

April 18, 2022 – 2021 State Income Tax Extensions

Many states grant automatic tax extensions if you do not owe taxes. If you do owe taxes, in many cases, you can pay your state taxes online. This payment will serve as an extension.

Ongoing – IRS Tax Amendment / State Tax Amendment(s)

You can prepare your amendment electronically for Tax Year 2021, then print, sign, and mail in the forms. There are plans to e-file amendment Form 1040X by mid-2022. State tax amendments follow a similar procedure, but do not use the IRS Form 1040-X – they have their own amendment form, though some don’t have a form at all and only ask that you pay your due tax on time.

April 15, 2022 – 2018 Tax Return IRS Refund deadline; as of this date, you can no longer claim a 2018 tax refund if you were owed one. 

If you have not filed your 2018 IRS Tax Return and expect a tax refund, you have until 04/15/2022 to submit the return on paper and to claim your refund. After that date, your refund will expire forever. Claim and don’t waste your refund!

June 15, 2022 – U.S. citizens and U.S. resident aliens who work and live abroad (outside the United States and Puerto Rico) can file their returns or tax extensions and pay taxes due by June 15, 2022.

If applicable, for part-year residency state tax returns, this date might not apply for state tax returns.

Quarter I: April 15, 2022 – Form 1040-ES for Tax Year 2021 estimated tax payments

Quarter lI: July 15, 2022 – Form 1040-ES for Tax Year 2021 estimated tax payments

Quarter llI: September 15, 2022 – Form 1040-ES for Tax Year 2021 estimated tax payments

Quarter IV: January 15, 2023 – Form 1040-ES for Tax Year 2021 estimated tax payments

October 15, 2022 – IRS and state e-filing season and extension deadline – from the IRS opening date to the October date, the current tax year returns are able to be electronically filed. After October 15, 2022, you can no longer e-file a 2021 Tax Return. 

If you e-filed an extension or did not file a return by April 18, 2022 or later, you can e-file your tax return by Oct. 15, 2022 to avoid late filing penalties. Late payment penalties may still apply.

Tax deadlines in 2022 for tax returns, tax estimates, and more: 2022 tax deadlines PDF.

Previous Income Tax Year Returns.

You cannot e-file federal or state income tax returns for Tax Year 2020 and before. However, most e-file tax companies will provide you with easy access to all the respective federal income tax year forms and the associated tax year tax calculators. Please keep in mind that these tax calculators are usually free and are intended to give you an accurate estimate of your tax refund or tax liability for the given tax year. 

If you Owe Back Taxes

If you expect to owe taxes for one or multiple previous tax years and you have not filed nor paid the taxes due, you will most likely be subject to late filing and late payment penalties. We recommend you take the following steps as soon as possible:

• Step 1: Download the respective tax forms for the tax year in question.
• Step 2: Use a tax calculator and tools for the respective tax year.
• Step 3: Complete the income tax forms and mail them to the IRS and/or state tax agency.
• Step 4: Even if you can’t pay your taxes, follow the steps above and pay as little or as much as you can afford. That way, you will at least stop the late filing penalties which are higher in general than the late payment penalties.

If you Expect a Tax Refund

If you expect a tax refund for one or more previous tax years and you have not filed an IRS or state income tax return, you will most likely not be subject to late filing and certainly not for late payment penalties. However, you only have three years after the subject tax year to claim your tax refund. After three years, your tax refund will unfortunately expire and you can no longer claim your hard-earned money back from the IRS. For example, after April 15, 2024, you will no longer be able to claim your 2020 IRS tax refund. Most states follow these or similar tax refund expiration rules and dates.

* Source: Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service