Key Tax Numbers & Dates for 2022

Important Due Dates and Deadlines for the 2022 Tax Filing Season

Tax season marks dates when the Internal Revenue Service begins accepting and processing federal income tax returns. Most U.S. taxpayers know that April 15 is usually when annual tax returns are due to the IRS. But did you know that the tax deadline can change? Because of a federal holiday, the tax filing deadline for taxpayers in 2022 is actually April 18 for most, as it’s the next business day after the holiday.

The annual tax return deadline isn’t the only important date in the 2022 tax filing season. The other big ones are when you can expect your tax refund, any estimated tax payment due dates and how long filing an extension request form gives you.

Here are the due dates and deadlines you need to know whether you’re a calendar year income tax return filer or you’re filing federal taxes quarterly.

2022 Tax Season Dates and Deadlines

January 14, 2022	IRS Free File opens. You can file federal returns through IRS Free File partners, then they’ll be transmitted to the IRS when the tax season officially starts. (Tax software companies also accept tax filings in advance.)
January 18, 2022	4th Quarter Payment deadline for 2021 estimated tax payments for those making quarterly payments with the 1040-ES.
January 24, 2022	The 2022 tax season officially starts. The IRS accepts 2021 tax returns and processing begins.
January 28, 2022	Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day to raise awareness of the tax credits available.
February 15, 2022	Individuals may submit a new Form W-4 to your employer if you claimed exemption from income tax withholding last year and want to continue your exemption for another year.
March 15, 2022	Annual tax returns are due for partnerships and S Corporations.
April 18, 2022	Due date to file 2021 federal returns. Tax filing is due April 18 instead of April 15 because of the Emancipation Day legal holiday in the District of Columbia. 1st Quarter Payment deadline for 2022 estimated tax payments for those making quarterly payments with the 1040-ES.
April 19, 2022	Due date for taxpayers in Maine and Massachusetts to file 2021 tax returns. Those taxpayers get an extra day due to the Patriots’ Day holiday in those states.
June 15, 2022	2nd Quarter Payment deadline for 2022 estimated tax payments for those making quarterly payments with the 1040-ES.
September 15, 2022	3rd Quarter Payment deadline for 2022 estimated tax payments for those making quarterly payments with the 1040-ES.
October 17, 2022	Tax return filing period due date for those who request an extension.

When Will You Get Your Tax Refund?

The Internal Revenue Service issues refunds in less than 21 calendar days usually. However, the way you send your federal return and how you want your tax refund can affect when you should expect your return. Of course, electronic filing is faster. Choosing any online filing options gets your return to you faster. In fact, the IRS is recommending all tax professionals to urge their clients to file electronically instead of filing by paper.

Paper tax returns take the most time. The IRS could take six months or more to process your return if you filed a paper tax return.

Requesting a paper check means you may wait at least 6-8 weeks for your tax refund to arrive.

Requesting direct deposit is the best way to get a faster refund. Wait 5 days after the IRS approves your refund before checking with your bank.

When You Can Expect Your Income Tax Refunds: Dates for 2022

You can estimate when you’ll receive your tax refund based on when you filed and how you wanted to receive your refund. The following dates are approximate.

When the IRS accepted your tax filing	When the IRS will send your direct deposit	When the IRS will mail a paper check
The week of Jan. 24	Feb. 7	Feb. 14
The week of Jan. 31	Feb. 14	Feb. 21
The week of Feb. 7	Feb. 21	Feb. 28
The week of Feb. 14	Feb. 28	March 7
The week of Feb. 21	March 7	March 14
The week of Feb. 28	March 14	March 21
The week of March 7	March 21	March 28
The week of March 14	March 28	April 4
The week of March 21	April 4	April 11
The week of March 28	April 11	April 18
The week of April 4	April 18	April 25
The week of April 11	April 25	May 2
The week of April 18	May 2	May 9

The IRS makes it easy to check your refund status once you file your tax returns. Go to Where’s My Refund? on irs.gov to look up your refund status. You’ll be able to see its status within 24 hours of e-filing your federal returns for the 2022 tax year. (Give it a few days if you’re e-filing a previous tax year and six months if you’re filing by paper.)

There’s a chance the IRS may mail you a paper check even if you requested a direct deposit refund. The IRS can’t deposit more than three refunds into a single account. And it only deposits tax refunds electronically into accounts in your name, your spouse’s name or in a joint account. Also your financial institution may reject a direct deposit for its own reasons.

Important Dates for Individual Taxpayers – Self-employed, independent contractors, Gig Workers

Most income is taxable. Your individual income tax liability can include income from virtual currencies, or the gig economy where you’re working as an independent contractor, self-employed person, or a sole proprietor. These sources of income don’t withhold taxes from your pay, so you may have to make payments to the IRS four times a year.

Quarterly tax payments follow this schedule:

• The first payment is due April 15.
• The second payment is due June 15.
• The third payment is due September 15.
• The fourth payment is due January 15 the next year.

Important Dates for Small Businesses – LLCs, Partnerships, S Corps

The due date for a business’s tax return can vary depending on the business type. Annual federal returns for small businesses are due March 15, including S corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships.

S corporations use Form 1120-S and each shareholder should get a copy of their Schedule K-1. Partnerships file a Form 1056, and likewise, each partner gets a Schedule K-1.

Corporations make their annual return filings on April 18, 2022.

LLCs can be classified as either a corporation or a partnership. If it classifies as a partnership, the LLC uses a 1065 form and its federal tax returns are due March 15. If it classifies as a corporation, the LLC uses a 1120 form and the deadline is April 18.

3 Tips to Make Filing Your Taxes Easier

If you plan ahead, filing your federal returns can be easy and relatively stress-free.

• Organize your tax records. Put any tax records mailed to you in one place. Save those digital tax records into a secure space.
• Check your account with the IRS online. You can access individual tax return information such as tax records, payments and outstanding balances. Most importantly, you can make sure your address and personal information is up to date.
• Wait to file your tax returns until you’ve got everything. The most common tax records you’ll need are:
  • Form W-2
  • Form 1099 for dividends, unemployment, etc. or a 1099-NEC for any income from the gig economy
  • 1095-A for health insurance coverage
  • Letter 6475 and Letter 6419—New for 2022 tax filing! These documents are related to the Economic Impact Payments (stimulus payments) and Advance Child Tax Credit Payments from the COVID-19 pandemic.

A little bit of planning and organization makes filing your tax return on time easier — and getting that tax refund faster.

What If You Can’t File Your Income Taxes by April 15?

First, take a breath. The actual federal tax return deadline is April 18, 2022.

Then file an Extension Form 4868 to get an automatic six-month extension. When you submit that form, you also should pay an estimate of what you owe in taxes to avoid monthly penalties and interest.

Your new tax deadline will become October 17, 2022, after you file a Form 4868.

Don’t waste that time! If you do owe more than what you estimated, your tax liability on unpaid taxes will build interest for every day that passes until you pay it. And, if you don’t owe any taxes but deserve a tax refund, every week you wait is that much longer you have to wait for your refund. And your refund does not come to you with interest.

RELATED: Missed the Tax Deadline? File Taxes Now to Get a Refund & Lower Penalties

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