Your Guide to Critical Business Tax Deadlines in February 2026

Key February 2026 Tax Dates for Businesses

February may be the shortest month, but it's packed with some of the most critical tax deadlines of the year for business owners. This period focuses heavily on year-end reporting for 2025, including vital forms for your employees and independent contractors. Staying organized is key to avoiding unnecessary penalties and ensuring a smooth start to the new tax year.

The Big Push: Annual Information Returns

Your primary focus at the start of the month will be issuing and filing year-end information statements.

Due February 2: Forms W-2 for Employees

You must provide all employees with their 2025 Form W-2 by this date. This applies to both paper and electronic copies. Simultaneously, you are required to file Copy A of all W-2s, along with the transmittal Form W-3, with the Social Security Administration.

Due February 2: Forms 1099-NEC for Contractors

If your business or rental property paid $600 or more for services from an independent contractor in 2025, you must issue them a Form 1099-NEC. This is a hard deadline for furnishing copies to both the recipient and the IRS. Remember, businesses filing 10 or more information returns must do so electronically.

Other Key Information Returns

Various other forms must be sent to recipients by February 2, including Form 1098 (Mortgage Interest) and other types of 1099s (e.g., for rent, dividends, or royalties). While the recipient copy is due early, the IRS copy for many of these is not due until later. However, be aware of a February 17 deadline for providing recipients with certain other forms, such as Form 1099-B (Broker Transactions), 1099-S (Real Estate), and specific 1099-MISC forms.

Tax deadline calendar blocks

Payroll Tax Reports: Q4 and Annual Filings

Several crucial federal payroll tax forms come due in February, wrapping up the fourth quarter and the full 2025 calendar year.

Due February 2: Quarterly & Annual Payroll Forms

The following forms for 2025 are due February 2. However, if you deposited all taxes on time throughout the reporting period, you have an automatic extension to file by February 10.

  • Form 941 (Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return): For reporting Q4 2025 income, Social Security, and Medicare taxes.
  • Form 940 (Employer's Annual FUTA Tax Return): For reporting your annual Federal Unemployment Tax.
  • Form 943 (Employer's Annual Federal Tax Return for Agricultural Employees): The annual filing for farm employers.
  • Form 945 (Annual Return of Withheld Federal Income Tax): Used to report income tax withheld from nonpayroll items like pensions, annuities, and backup withholding.

Monthly Deposits and Other Obligations

Due February 17: Monthly Tax Deposits

For businesses on a monthly deposit schedule, the Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income taxes for payments made in January 2026 are due. The same date applies for nonpayroll withholding deposits.

Due February 17: Withholding Exemption Deadline

Employers must begin withholding income tax for any employee who claimed exemption in 2025 but has not submitted a new Form W-4 to continue that exemption for 2026.

Important Reminders

Weekends & Holidays: If a deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the due date automatically shifts to the next business day.

Disaster Area Extensions: Taxpayers in federally declared disaster areas may receive automatic filing extensions. Check the official FEMA and IRS websites for the latest information.

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

Navigating these overlapping deadlines can be complex. If you need assistance ensuring your business meets all its February tax obligations accurately and on time, please schedule a consultation with our team. We're here to help you stay compliant and focused on running your business.

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