2024 Tax Season Calendar: Filing Deadlines, Refund Timeline, and Action Plan
File with confidence by tracking every IRS deadline for the 2024 tax year (returns filed in 2025). Use this checklist to schedule payments, maximize deductions, and stay audit-ready.
Tax planning is smoother when you map out the season before the IRS opens e-file. Combine this calendar with the free Tax Calculator to estimate your 2024 refund or balance due and avoid unwanted surprises in April.
Key Takeaways
- • The 2024 individual filing deadline is April 15, 2025, for most states.
- • Quarterly estimated tax payments continue throughout 2025 for self-employed workers.
- • Early filing helps deliver faster refunds—especially for taxpayers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
2024 Tax Deadlines at a Glance
Mark these dates so you can schedule payments, collect forms, and coordinate with tax professionals in advance.
| Date | Deadline | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| January 16, 2025 | Q4 2024 Estimated Tax Payment Due | Last quarterly payment for self-employed workers, freelancers, and small-business owners covering income earned in September–December 2024. |
| January 27, 2025 (expected) | IRS Opens E-File System | The IRS typically starts accepting 2024 returns in the last week of January. Early e-filing speeds up refunds. |
| February 15, 2025 | 1099-B / 1099-DIV / 1099-R Deadline | Brokerages, retirement plans, and investment platforms must deliver consolidated statements to investors. |
| March 17, 2025 | S-Corp and Partnership Returns Due | File Form 1120-S or 1065, or submit Form 7004 for a six-month extension. Provide Schedule K-1 to partners and shareholders. |
| April 15, 2025 | Individual Tax Filing Deadline | File Form 1040, pay any balance due, or request an automatic six-month extension via Form 4868. Traditional IRA and HSA contribution deadline. |
| April 15, 2025 | Q1 2025 Estimated Tax Payment Due | Covers income earned January–March 2025. Mark calendars to avoid penalties. |
| June 16, 2025 | Q2 2025 Estimated Tax Payment Due | Self-employed taxpayers submit second quarterly payment for income earned April–May. |
| September 15, 2025 | Q3 2025 Estimated Tax Payment Due | Cover June–August 2025 income. Also the extended deadline for partnerships and S-corps. |
| October 15, 2025 | Extended Individual Return Deadline | Final day to file a 2024 individual return if you were approved for an extension in April. |
Expected 2024 Refund Timeline
The IRS issues most refunds within 21 days of accepting a return that is e-filed with direct deposit. Use Where's My Refund? on IRS.gov for real-time status updates.
- Early Filers (late January–mid February): Expect refunds by Presidents Day, though EITC and ACTC returns issue after February 15.
- Peak Season Filers (March): Plan on a 21-day turnaround, but build in buffer time for identity verification delays.
- Extension Filers: If you extend to October, refunds usually arrive within three weeks of submission.
Document Checklist Before You File
Create a folder (digital or physical) for each category so nothing slows down your tax appointment or e-filing session.
Income Records
Gather W-2s, 1099-NEC, 1099-K (third-party payments), and 1099-INT/1099-DIV for investment income.
Adjustment & Deduction Proof
Retirement contribution confirmations, HSA statements, medical bills, and charitable donation receipts.
Family & Education Info
Childcare expense summaries, adoption credit records, 1098-T tuition statements, and student loan interest forms.
Business & Gig Economy Logs
Mileage logs, expense receipts, home office calculations, and quarterly tax payment receipts.
One-Page Tax Prep Checklist
- • W-2 forms from employers
- • 1099-NEC and 1099-K for freelance or gig income
- • 1098-E for student loan interest and 1098-T for tuition statements
- • Mortgage interest statement (Form 1098) and property tax receipts
- • Childcare expense summaries and provider tax IDs for the Child and Dependent Care Credit
- • Brokerage and crypto transaction reports (1099-B) plus realized gains summaries
- • Charitable donation receipts and mileage logs
- • Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contribution records
- • Prior-year tax return for carryovers and baseline data
Smart Moves to Make Before April 15, 2025
- Max Out Retirement Contributions: You can contribute to a Traditional or Roth IRA until the April deadline. Use your projected tax bill from the Tax Calculator to decide whether a deductible contribution lowers your bracket.
- Review Withholding Early: If your refund is consistently large or you owed, adjust your W-4 using IRS Form 1414 to better match your tax liability.
- Track Business Expenses Monthly: Cloud-based bookkeeping and receipt apps reduce the scramble each March and protect you during audits.
- Plan Charitable Giving: Bunch donations into a single year or use donor-advised funds to exceed the standard deduction threshold.
Tax Pros to Consult
Consider hiring a credentialed professional when you:
- • Sold a business or significant investment property.
- • Received an inheritance or trust distribution.
- • Traded crypto or NFTs regularly in 2024.
- • Need help maximizing the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction.
Penalty Avoidance Tips
The IRS charges interest on underpayments and late filings. A few proactive steps keep your return in good standing:
- File Even If You Cannot Pay: Submitting the return or extension avoids the steep late filing penalty.
- Use Payment Plans: Form 9465 sets up an installment agreement when you cannot pay in full.
- Respond Quickly to IRS Letters: Most notices provide 30 days to resolve issues before additional interest accrues.
Plan the Season in Minutes
Use the Tax Calculator to project your refund, then create calendar reminders for each quarterly payment.
Pair this guide with our 2024 tax deduction checklist to trim your bill even further.