2012 U.S. Tax Calendar and Important Tax Filing Dates

December 2011: If you are eager to get a head start on receiving your tax refund this year, get started in December by selecting an efile program, compiling your expenses and deductions, and gathering all your receipts. For example, using TurboTax, you can begin the process of adding deductions, and exploring new possible tax breaks before the new year. Once your official tax forms arrive from your employer in January, you can quickly finish the process and get your refund fast.

January 1, 2012: This is the first day the IRS will accept your tax forms. Online products such as TurboTax or H&R Block will allow you to complete the tax filing process–and complete the eFile process on this day.

February: Employers are required to mail your W2 or 1099 form by February 1. You must have all your W2 and 1099 forms for all jobs worked in the previous year before you can file you taxes. If you have not received your W2 or 1099 forms by the first week in February, you should contact your employer.

April 17, 2012: U.S. Individual Federal Tax Returns are due for the 2011 fiscal year on April 17, 2012. Your tax documents must be postmarked or eFiled by midnight on April 17, 2012 to avoid a late penalty. This is also the deadline to file for a tax extension. Traditionally, the personal income tax deadline is April 15, however this date is often adjusted by the IRS by a few days to accommodate holidays and weekends. Most state taxes are also due on April 17, with a few exceptions – check the state tax due date chart for your state’s deadline.

October 15, 2012: This is the final due date for individual federal tax returns filed with an extension. This is also the last day that the IRS will accept efiled tax returns for 2011 taxes. If you must file after October 15, you will need to mail in your forms for manual processing.