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September 2026 Individual Tax Due Dates

As fall approaches, it presents a valuable opportunity to evaluate your 2026 tax position and begin laying the groundwork for 2027. With a critical estimated tax payment due this month, now is the time to review your income, current withholding, and estimated payments to determine if year-end adjustments are necessary. If you need guidance, PM Enterprises Inc is available for a comprehensive tax planning consultation.

Financial growth and tax planning

September 10: Reporting Tips to Your Employer

If you are an employee who works for tips and received more than $20 during the month of August, federal law requires you to report that amount to your employer no later than September 10. You can fulfill this requirement using IRS Form 4070 or by providing a custom written statement. Your statement must include your signature, full name, address, and Social Security number, along with your employer’s name (or the establishment’s name), address, the specific period the report covers, and the total tips received.

Once reported, your employer is obligated to withhold FICA and income taxes from your regular wages to cover these tips. If your regular wages fall short of the required withholding amount, the uncollected portion will be reported in box 8 of your W-2 at year-end. You will then be responsible for paying that uncollected tax when you file your annual return.

September 15: Third Quarter Estimated Tax Payment

The third installment for 2026 individual estimated taxes is due on September 15. The U.S. operates on a "pay-as-you-earn" tax system, which the government supports through several mechanisms:

  • Payroll withholding for standard employees

  • Pension withholding for retirees

  • Estimated tax payments for self-employed individuals and those generating income not subject to standard withholding

Navigating Underpayment Penalties and Safe Harbors

Taxpayers who fail to prepay the required safe harbor minimum amount risk facing an underpayment penalty. This penalty is calculated quarter-by-quarter based on the federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points. Fortunately, federal tax law provides exemptions to avoid these penalties. If your tax shortfall is less than the $1,000 de minimis amount, no penalty applies. Otherwise, you must meet one of two primary safe harbor prepayments:

  • Current Year Safe Harbor: Your payments must equal or exceed 90% of the total tax owed for the current year.

  • Prior Year Safe Harbor: Your payments generally must equal 100% of your tax liability from the immediately preceding year. However, if your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) exceeds $150,000 (or $75,000 for married taxpayers filing separately), you must pay 110% of the prior year's tax to qualify.

Safe Harbor Example: Imagine your total tax for the year is $10,000, but your prepayments only amount to $5,600, leaving a $4,400 balance due. Under the first safe harbor, you would need to have paid at least $9,000 (90% of $10,000). Since your prepayments fell short of the mark, you cannot avoid the penalty using that method.

However, the second safe harbor might still apply. If your prior year's tax liability was $5,000, 110% of that amount equals $5,500. Because your $5,600 in prepayments exceeds that $5,500 threshold, you successfully qualify for the prior year safe harbor and escape the penalty.

This example highlights why adequate prepayments are essential, particularly if you experience a significant income increase due to events like property sales, stock gains, large bonuses, or retirement distributions. Timely payment of each required estimated tax installment is mandatory to meet the safe harbor exception.

State Caution: Be aware that state-level rules regarding de minimis amounts, safe harbor estimates, and payment due dates often differ from federal guidelines. Whether you reside in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, or elsewhere nationwide, our office can help clarify the specific rules for your jurisdiction.

Weekends and Legal Holidays

Whenever a tax due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the deadline is automatically extended to the next business day that is not itself a legal holiday.

Disaster Area Filing Extensions

When a specific geographic region is designated as a disaster area, tax due dates are typically extended for affected residents. To check if your area qualifies for a disaster designation and to find the updated filing deadlines, consult the following official resources:

FEMA: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations
IRS: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations

Proactive Tax Planning for the Year Ahead

Meeting your September tax obligations ensures you stay compliant and avoid unnecessary underpayment penalties heading into the end of the year. If you have questions about adjusting your estimated payments or evaluating a recent increase in income, reach out to PM Enterprises Inc. Contact LLoyd Mallory and our team today to schedule a consultation, and let us help minimize your tax liability.

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