2012 Tax Calendar

This tax calendar has the due dates for 2012 that most taxpayers will need.

FIRST QUARTER

January 10

Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during December, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070, Employee’s Report of Tips to Employer.

January 17

Individuals: Make a payment of your estimated tax for 2011 if you did not pay your income tax for the year through withholding (or did not pay in enough tax that way). Use Form 1040-ES. This is the final installment date for 2011 estimated tax. However, you do not have to make this payment if you file your 2011 return (Form 1040) and pay any tax due by January 31, 2012.

January 31

Individuals Who Must Make Estimated Tax Payments: If you did not pay your last installment of estimated tax by January 17, you may choose (but are not required) to file your income tax return (Form 1040) for 2011 by January 31. Filing your return and paying any tax due by January 31 prevents any penalty for late payment of the last installment. If you cannot file and pay your tax by January 31, file and pay your tax by April 17.

All Businesses: Give annual information statements to recipients of certain payments you made during 2011. You can use the appropriate version of Form 1099 or other information return. Form 1099 can be issued electronically with the consent of the recipient.

February 10

Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during January, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070.

February 15

Individuals: If you claimed exemption from income tax withholding last year on the Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate, you gave your employer, you must file a new Form W-4 by this date to continue your exemption for another year.

All Businesses: Give annual information statements to recipients of certain payments you made during 2011. You can use the appropriate version of Form 1099 or other information return. Form 1099 can be issued electronically with the consent of the recipient.

February 28

All Businesses: File information returns (Form 1099) for certain payments you made during 2011. There are different forms for different types of payments. Use a separate Form 1096 to summarize and transmit the forms for each type of payment. If you file Forms 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, If you file Forms 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, or W-2G electronically, your due date for filing them with the IRS will be extended to April 2. The due date for giving the recipient these forms generally remains January 31.

March 12

Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during February, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070.

March 15

Corporations: File a 2011 calendar year income tax return (Form 1120) and pay any tax due. If you want an automatic 6-month extension of time to file the return, file Form 7004 (Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File Certain Business Income Tax, Information, and Other Returns) and deposit what you estimate you owe.

S Corporations: File a 2011 calendar year income tax return (Form 1120S) and pay any tax due. Provide each shareholder with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1120S), Shareholder’s Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc., or a substitute Schedule K-1. If you want an automatic 6-month extension of time to file the return, file Form 7004 and deposit what you estimate you owe.

S Corporation Election: File Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation to elect to be treated as an S corporation beginning with calendar year 2012. If Form 2553 is filed late, S treatment will begin with calendar year 2013.

Electing Large Partnerships: Provide each partner with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1065-B), Partner’s Share of Income (Loss) From an Electing Large Partnership, or a substitute Schedule K-1. This due date applies even if the partnership requests an extension of time to file the Form 1065-B by filing Form 7004.

SECOND QUARTER

April 2

Electronic filing of Forms 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, and W-2G: File Forms 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, and W-2G with the IRS. This due date applies only if you file electronically. Otherwise, see February 28. The due date for giving the recipient these forms generally remains January 31. For information about filing Forms 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, and W-2G electronically, see IRS Publication 1220.

April 10

Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during March, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070.

April 17

Individuals: File a 2011 income tax return (Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ) and pay any tax due. If you want an automatic 6-month extension of time to file the return, file Form 4868 (Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return). Then, file Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ by October 15.

Household Employers: If you paid cash wages of $1,700 or more in 2011 to a household employee, you must file Schedule H. If you are required to file a federal income tax return (Form 1040), file Schedule H with the return and report any household employment taxes. Report any federal unemployment (FUTA) tax on Schedule H if you paid total cash wages of $1,000 or more in any calendar quarter of 2010 or 2011 to household employees. Also, report any income tax you withheld for your household employees. For more information, see IRS Publication 926.

Individuals: If you are not paying your 2012 income tax through withholding (or will not pay in enough tax during the year that way), pay the first installment of your 2012 estimated tax. Use form 1040-ES. For more information, see IRS Publication 505.

Partnerships: File a 2011 calendar year return (Form 1065). Provide each partner with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1065), Partner’s Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc., or a substitute Schedule K-1. If you want an automatic 5-month extension of time to file the return and provide Schedule K-1 or a substitute Schedule K-1, file Form 7001. Then, file Form 1065 by September 17.

Electing Large Partnerships: File a 2011 calendar year return (Form 1065-B). If you want an automatic 6-month extension of time to file the return, file Form 7004. Then file Form 1065-B by October 15.

Corporations: Deposit the first installment of estimated income tax for 2012.

May 10

Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during April, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070.

June 11

Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during May, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070.

June 15

Individuals: If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien living and working (or on military duty) outside the United States and Puerto Rico, file Form 1040 and pay any tax, interest, and penalties due. Otherwise, see April 17. If you want additional time to file your return, file Form 4868 to obtain 4 additional months to file. Then, file Form 1040 by October 15. (Note: If you are a participant in a combat zone, you may be able to further extend your filing deadline.)

Individuals: Make a payment of your 2012 estimated tax if you are not paying your 2012 income tax through withholding (or will not pay in enough tax during the year that way). Use Form 1040-ES. This is the second installment date for estimated tax in 2012.

Corporations: Deposit the second installment of estimated income tax for 2012.

THIRD QUARTER

July 10

Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during June, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070.

August 10

Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during July, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070.

September 10

Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during August, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070.

September 17

Individuals: Make a payment of your 2012 estimated tax if you are not paying your 2012 income tax through withholding (or will not pay in enough tax during the year that way). Use Form 1040-ES. This is the third installment date for estimated tax in 2012.

Corporations: File a 2011 calendar year income tax return (Form 1120) and pay any tax, interest, and penalties due. This due date applies only if you timely requested an automatic 6-month extension. Otherwise, see March 15.

S Corporations: File a 2011 calendar year income tax return (Form 1120S) and pay any tax due. This due date applies only if you timely requested an automatic 6-month extension. Otherwise, see March 15. Provide each shareholder with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1120S) or a substitute Schedule K-1.

Partnerships: File a 2011 calendar year return (Form 1065). This due date applies only if you were given an additional 5-month extension. Provide each partner with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) or a substitute Schedule K-1.

Corporations: Deposit the third installment of estimated income tax for 2012.

FOURTH QUARTER

October 10

Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during September, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070.

October 15

Individuals: If you have an automatic 6-month extension to file your income tax return for 2011, file Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ and pay any tax, interest, and penalties due.

Electing Large Partnerships: File a 2011 calendar year return (Form 1065-B). This due date applies only if you were given an additional 6-month extension.

November 13

Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during October, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070.

December 10

Employees Who Work for Tips: If you received $20 or more in tips during November, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070.

December 17

Corporations: Deposit the fourth installment of estimated income tax for 2012. A worksheet, Form 1120-W, is available to help you estimate your tax for the year.