(Author’s Note: I originally published this article in the Galion Inquirer on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011)
Knowing what forms to file and when can save you a lot of headaches. According to the IRS, the following dates are important to small business and individual filers of federal taxes. You can find your state’s filing dates by contacting your State Department of Taxation.
Mark your calendars with the following important federal filing dates:
January 17, 2012 – 4th Quarter 2011 Estimated Tax Payment Due
If you are self-employed or have other fourth-quarter income that requires you to pay quarterly estimated taxes, get them in the mail and postmarked by January 17, 2012. (January 15, 2012 is a Sunday and the following Monday is a federal holiday.)
April 17, 2012 – Individual Tax Returns Due for Tax Year 2011
If you haven’t applied for an extension, e-file or postmark your individual tax returns by midnight April 17, 2012. This also includes the Schedule C (Profit or Loss From a Business) for sole-proprietors.
Individual Tax Return Extension Form Due for Tax Year 2011
Filing an extension by April 17 gives you more time to file your completed 2012 return. The extension pushes back your deadline to October 15, 2012.
1st Quarter 2012 Estimated Tax Payment Due
If you are self-employed or have other first-quarter income that requires you to pay quarterly estimated taxes, get your Form 1040-ES postmarked by April 17, 2012.
Last Day to make a 2011 IRA Contribution
You can continue to fund your 2011 retirement account until April 17, 2012. That’s the deadline for a contribution to a traditional IRA, deductible or not, and a Roth IRA. If you have a Keogh or SEP and you get a filing extension to October 15, 2012, you can wait until then to put 2011 money into those accounts.
June 15, 2012 – 2nd Quarter 2012 Estimated Tax Payment Due
If you are self-employed or have other second-quarter income that requires you to pay quarterly estimated taxes, make sure your payment is postmarked by June 15, 2012.
September 17, 2012 – 3rd Quarter 2012 Estimated Tax Payment Due
If you are self-employed or have other third-quarter income that requires you to pay quarterly estimated taxes, make sure your third quarter payment is postmarked by Sept. 17, 2012.
October 15, 2012 – Extended Individual Tax Returns Due
If you filed an extension on your 2011 tax return, you need to get it completed and postmarked by October 15, 2012.
Last Chance to Recharacterize 2011 Roth IRA Conversion
If you converted a traditional IRA to a Roth during 2011 and paid tax on the conversion with your 2011 return, October 15, 2012 is the deadline for recharacterizing (undoing) the conversion. This could save you money if the IRA has lost money since the time of the original conversion.
January 15, 2013 – 4th Quarter 2012 Estimated Tax Payment Due
If you are self-employed or have other fourth-quarter income that requires you to pay quarterly estimated taxes, get them postmarked by January 15, 2013.
Before taking any action, you should always seek the assistance of a professional who knows your particular situation for advice on your taxes, your investments, the law or any other business and professional matters that affect you and/or your business.
You can find more information on the IRS website at www.irs.gov or at www.JohnLizotte.com by using the search term “tax calendar”. You can also request the IRS to mail you a 2012 wall calendar with the important dates listed for each month.
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