The fourth-quarter estimated tax deadline for 2025 is Thursday — and you could face a penalty and interest for late or unpaid taxes if you miss the due date.
Typically, you owe estimated payments for income without a tax withholding, such as earnings from self-employment, contract, freelance or gig economy work. Many filers also make payments for investing income, such as year-end capital gains, or bonuses if needed.
The January deadline is a “chance to catch up” on 2025 taxes, Tom O’Saben, director of tax content and government relations at the National Association of Tax Professionals, told CNBC.
For 2025, the quarterly tax deadlines were April 15, June 16, Sept. 15 and Jan. 15, 2026. These can easily be missed since they don’t match calendar quarters, experts say.
The Jan. 15 fourth-quarter estimated tax deadline comes as the IRS prepares to start accepting individual returns for 2025 on Jan. 26.
