What this page covers
Quarterly return filing dates for Form 941. It does not replace your monthly or semiweekly payroll tax deposit schedule.
Employer payroll deadline guide
2026 Form 941 due dates
Employers that file Form 941 generally use quarterly payroll tax return deadlines. Publication 509 also notes an extended filing date when the tax required to be reported was timely deposited in full.
Use this as a planning checklist only. IRS deadlines can be affected by weekends, legal holidays, fiscal-year filing, disaster relief, deposit rules, and entity-specific facts.
| Quarter reported | Standard Form 941 due date | If deposits were timely made in full |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026: Jan. - Mar. | April 30, 2026 | May 11, 2026 |
| Q2 2026: Apr. - June | July 31, 2026 | August 10, 2026 |
| Q3 2026: July - Sept. | November 2, 2026 | November 10, 2026 |
| Q4 2026: Oct. - Dec. | February 1, 2027 | February 10, 2027 |
Deposit timing is separate
Employment tax deposits can be due before the Form 941 filing date, depending on your lookback period and deposit schedule.
Use with employer cost
Use the employer payroll cost calculator to estimate employer FICA and benefit cost, then use this calendar for filing reminders.
Sources: IRS Publication 509, IRS Form 941 information, and IRS Topic 757. Last generated 2026-08-16.