Key federal tax deadlines
| Deadline | What is due | Who it affects |
|---|---|---|
| April 15 | Individual return (Form 1040) and the first estimated tax payment | Most individuals; self-employed people and investors |
| June 15 | Second estimated tax payment | Self-employed people and investors |
| September 15 | Third estimated tax payment | Self-employed people and investors |
| October 15 | Extended individual return, if Form 4868 was filed by April 15 | Anyone who requested an extension |
| January 15 | Fourth estimated tax payment for the previous year | Self-employed people and investors |
Which tax forms do I need?
The forms you receive decide the forms you file. The common ones are:
- W-2: wages and tax withheld by an employer.
- 1099-NEC: payments to you as an independent contractor.
- 1099-K: payments received through card processors, payment apps and online marketplaces.
- 1099-INT, 1099-DIV and 1099-B: interest, dividends and sales of investments.
- Schedule C: profit or loss from a business you run as a sole proprietor.
- Schedule SE: self-employment tax on that profit.
Upload them to TaxOrch and ask, for example, "I have a W-2 and two 1099-NECs: what do I file?" It reads the documents, lists the schedules that apply and flags anything missing. See document upload.
Taxes for freelancers and 1099 contractors
If you work for yourself you pay income tax on your profit and self-employment tax, which funds Social Security and Medicare. No employer withholds either, so the IRS expects you to pay during the year through quarterly estimated payments with Form 1040-ES.
- Keep records of income from every client and platform, including 1099-K payments.
- Track business expenses as you go: equipment, software, a qualifying home office, and business travel.
- Set money aside each month so the quarterly payment is not a surprise.
TaxOrch estimates the quarterly amount from your year-to-date figures and reminds you before each due date. Read more in tax help for freelancers.
Deductions and credits to check
You can take the standard deduction or itemise, whichever is larger. Common credits include the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit and education credits. The amounts change every year, so TaxOrch takes them from the IRS figures for the tax year you are asking about rather than from memory. Try the deduction finder.
What about state taxes?
Most states have their own income tax, forms and deadlines, and a few have no individual income tax. TaxOrch covers federal rules in depth; ask it about your state and it tells you what it can confirm and where to check with the state revenue department.
How TaxOrch helps with US taxes
- 1Upload your formsW-2s, 1099s and receipts are read and checked for missing pieces.
- 2Get an estimateSee your likely refund or balance due, with the working shown.
- 3Stay on scheduleThe dates for every quarterly payment and filing deadline, each with its official source.
Firms can book a demo, request a demo account or offer TaxOrch under their own brand with a White-label licence.
When to talk to a tax professional
- You have received an IRS notice or an audit letter.
- You run a partnership, an S corporation or a complex business structure.
- You have a large equity or crypto event, or income in several states.
- You need to correct a return from a previous year.
Frequently asked questions
When is the US tax filing deadline?
- April 15 for most individual federal returns, or the next business day when it falls on a weekend or holiday. Form 4868 extends the filing deadline to October 15, but any tax owed is still due in April.
Do I have to pay quarterly taxes as a freelancer?
- Generally yes, if you expect to owe at least $1,000 for the year after withholding and credits. The payments are due in April, June, September and the following January.
Can TaxOrch file my return with the IRS?
- No. TaxOrch does not file returns. It helps you prepare: it reads your documents, estimates what you owe and produces a checklist. You file through IRS-authorised e-file software, IRS Free File or a tax professional.
Does TaxOrch cover state income tax?
- It covers federal rules in depth and answers state questions where it can confirm the rule from the state's own publications. Where it cannot, it says so and names the state agency to check with.
Sources
Related on TaxOrch
- Tax help for freelancersEstimated tax, expenses and several clients.
- Tax calculatorEstimates with the working shown.
- Tax deadlinesEvery federal due date, with its source.
- All countriesCountry guides and coverage levels.