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Your Business Tax Calendar for February 2026

Key February 2026 Tax Deadlines for Businesses

As the new year gets into full swing, February presents a critical wave of tax deadlines for businesses. Meeting these dates is essential for maintaining compliance and avoiding penalties. This overview covers the key due dates for payroll forms, information returns, and tax deposits your business needs to manage.

February 2: Crucial Year-End Reporting

This is a significant deadline for reporting payments made during the 2025 calendar year. Ensure you have the following forms filed and distributed.

Forms 1099-NEC for Contractors and W-2s for Employees

You must furnish Form 1099-NEC to any individual (other than an employee) you paid $600 or more for services in 2025. This includes freelancers, independent contractors, and other service providers. At the same time, you must provide all employees with their Form W-2 for 2025. Copies of both W-2s (with Form W-3) and 1099-NECs must also be filed with the Social Security Administration and the IRS, respectively, by this date.

Other Information Returns Due to Recipients

Forms 1098 and other types of 1099s must also be sent to recipients by February 2. The filing deadline with the IRS for these forms is later (March 1, or April 1 if filing electronically). These forms report various types of income, including:

  • Dividends and distributions
  • Interest
  • Rent and Royalties
  • Retirement plan distributions
  • Medical and health care payments
  • Prizes and awards
  • Cancellation of debt

Annual and Quarterly Payroll Tax Returns

Several key federal payroll forms are due:

  • Form 940 (FUTA): File your annual Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) return. If your undeposited tax is $500 or less, you may pay it with the return.
  • Form 941 (Employer's Quarterly Return): File for the fourth quarter of 2025 and deposit any remaining tax.
  • Form 943 (Farm Employers): File your annual return to report Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income tax for your farm employees.
  • Form 945 (Nonpayroll Withholding): File to report income tax withheld during 2025 on nonpayroll items like pensions, annuities, and gambling winnings.

February 10: Extended Deadline for Timely Depositors

If you made all your required tax deposits for a given return on time and in full, you have until February 10 to file the form. This extension applies to Forms 940, 941, 943, 944 (for certain small employers), and 945.

February 17: Mid-Month Deadlines and Deposits

A few more deadlines arrive mid-month.

Additional Information Statements

Certain information statements are due to recipients, including Form 1099-B (Broker Transactions), Form 1099-S (Real Estate Transactions), and Form 1099-MISC for specific situations like payments to an attorney.

Monthly Tax Deposits

If your business follows the monthly deposit rule, your January deposits for Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income tax (both payroll and nonpayroll) are due today.

Employee Withholding Updates

You must begin withholding income tax for any employee who claimed an exemption in 2025 but did not submit a new Form W-4 to extend that exemption into 2026.

A person reviewing financial documents with a magnifying glass, representing a tax audit or review.

Important Filing Considerations

Weekends & Holidays

If a tax deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the due date is automatically moved to the next business day.

Disaster Area Extensions

The IRS often provides filing extensions to taxpayers in federally declared disaster areas. You can find updated information on designated areas and new deadlines on these official sites:

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

Don't Let Deadlines Overwhelm You

Managing tax compliance is complex, but you don't have to do it alone. From preparing 1099s to ensuring your payroll deposits are on track, our team is here to help. Contact us today to discuss your business's tax needs and ensure you're prepared for every deadline.

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