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March 2026 Tax Calendar: Key Deadlines for Business Owners

While April 15 often gets the most public attention, seasoned business owners know that March is the heavy lifter for pass-through entities and information reporting. If you operate a Partnership or S Corporation, the next few weeks are critical for compliance and cash flow planning.

Here is your guide to the business tax deadlines hitting the calendar in March 2026.

March 2: Paper Filing and Industry-Specific Deadlines

Because the standard February 28 deadline falls on a weekend this year, these filings are due on Monday, March 2. Note that many of these deadlines specifically apply to paper filings; electronic filing deadlines generally fall later in the month.

Information Returns (Paper)

If you are still filing on paper, you must submit government copies of information returns (Forms 1099) and transmittal Forms 1096 for payments made in 2025. Note that this excludes Form 1099-NEC, which was due back in February.

Gambling Winnings

Payers must file Form 1096 along with Copy A of all Forms W-2G issued for 2025. If you file these electronically, your deadline shifts to March 31.

ACA Reporting (Forms 1094/1095)

For Applicable Large Employers (ALEs) filing on paper, Forms 1094-C and 1095-C are due to the IRS. All other providers of minimum essential coverage filing paper returns must submit Forms 1094-B and 1095-B. Electronic filers have until March 31.

Note on Employee Copies: ALEs must provide Forms 1095-C to full-time employees, and other providers must furnish Form 1095-B to responsible individuals by this date.

Filing cabinet representing organized tax records

Farmers and Fishermen

If you did not pay your 2025 estimated tax by January 15, 2026, your 2025 income tax return (Form 1040 or 1040-SR) is due now, along with any tax payment. If estimated taxes were paid on time, you have until April 15.

Large Food and Beverage Establishments

File Form 8027 (Employer’s Annual Information Return of Tip Income and Allocated Tips) regarding tip income. If you have multiple locations, use Form 8027-T to summarize. Electronic filers are extended to March 31.

March 16: Partnerships and S Corporations

Since March 15 falls on a Sunday, the primary deadline for calendar-year pass-through entities moves to Monday, March 16.

Partnerships (Form 1065)

You must file the 2025 Form 1065 and provide each partner with their Schedule K-1 (and Schedule K-3 if applicable). These schedules are vital for your partners, as they cannot file their personal returns until they receive them.

Need more time? You can request an automatic 6-month extension by filing Form 7004. If extended, the return and Schedules K-1 are due September 15.

S Corporations (Form 1120-S)

File the 2025 Form 1120-S and pay any tax due. Similar to partnerships, you must issue Schedule K-1 (and K-3 if applicable) to shareholders so they can complete their personal filings.

If you cannot file by this date, submit Form 7004 to request a 6-month extension. Important: An extension to file is not an extension to pay. You must estimate and pay any tax owed by March 16 to avoid penalties and interest. Extended returns are due September 15.

Calculator and accounting ledger

S Corp Election (Form 2553)

If you intend for your existing business to be taxed as an S Corporation for the 2026 calendar year, you must file Form 2553 by this date. Filing late generally pushes the effective date of the election to 2027.

March 31: Electronic Filing Deadline

If you file electronically—which is required for many businesses filing 10 or more information returns—this is your deadline for the following:

  • Forms 1099 and 1098: Filing with the IRS (except 1099-NEC).
  • Forms W-2G: Electronic reporting of gambling winnings.
  • ACA Forms: Electronic filing of Forms 1094-C, 1095-C, 1094-B, and 1095-B.
  • Tip Reporting: Electronic filing of Form 8027.

Standard Rules and Disaster Relief

Weekend Rule: As noted above, if a due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, it is automatically pushed to the next business day.

Disaster Area Extensions: If your business is located in a federally designated disaster area, the IRS often grants additional time to file and pay. We recommend checking the official status of your area if you have been impacted by severe weather.

If you are concerned about gathering your K-1 data or need assistance filing an extension correctly, please contact our office immediately. We are here to help you navigate these deadlines smoothly.

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