Quick answers, all year
The questions clients ask us most, answered in one place. For anything specific to your situation, just call.
Tax due dates
The main federal and California deadlines. When a date falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day.
| Date | What's due |
|---|---|
| January 15 | Fourth-quarter estimated tax payment for the prior year |
| January 31 | W-2s and 1099-NEC forms due to workers and the IRS |
| March 15 | Partnership and S corporation returns, or extension requests |
| April 15 | Individual and C corporation returns, or extension requests; first-quarter estimated payment |
| June 15 | Second-quarter estimated payment |
| September 15 | Third-quarter estimated payment; extended partnership and S corporation returns |
| October 15 | Extended individual and C corporation returns |
California splits estimated payments differently: 30% in April, 40% in June, nothing in September, and 30% in January. Deadlines can also be postponed for disaster areas, so check with us if you're unsure.
Document checklist
Bring or upload what applies to you. If you're not sure whether something matters, include it.
- Last year's tax return, if we didn't prepare it
- W-2s from every employer
- 1099s for interest, dividends, investment sales, retirement distributions, contract work, and Social Security (SSA-1099)
- K-1s from partnerships, S corporations, trusts, or estates
- Form 1098 for mortgage interest, and property tax bills
- Receipts for charitable donations and child care
- Form 1095-A if you had insurance through Covered California or the Marketplace
- Business or rental income and expense records
- Records of estimated tax payments you made
- Any letters from the IRS or the FTB
- Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit of your refund
Record retention
General guidelines based on how long the IRS can review a return. Keep anything that supports a number on your return for at least as long as shown.
| Keep for | Records |
|---|---|
| 3 years | Most returns and supporting documents, from the date you filed |
| 4 years | Employment tax records, if you have employees |
| 6 years | Returns where income was underreported by more than 25% |
| 7 years | Records supporting a loss from worthless securities or bad debt |
| Until sold, plus the above | Records for a home, rental, or other property, including purchase and improvement costs |
| Permanently | Copies of your filed returns |
California generally has four years to review a state return, so many people keep records at least that long.
Where's my refund?
Check status directly with the tax agency. You'll need your Social Security number, filing status, and exact refund amount.
- IRS: Where's My Refund? Federal refunds, usually updated daily.
- California FTB: Check your refund State refunds for California.
- IRS online account Balances, payments, and notices from the IRS.
Filed in another state? Search for that state's department of revenue refund tool.