Tax Deadline 2025: Don't Miss When Your Taxes Are Due

As April 15 approaches, millions of taxpayers are still scrambling to file their returns. If you’re wondering when are my taxes due, the answer is simple yet critical: for most Americans, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, is the federal tax filing deadline. But don’t let this single date fool you — the tax landscape is more complex, especially when state taxes and special circumstances come into play.

The Core Deadline: When Are Taxes Due?

For the vast majority of U.S. taxpayers, the IRS expects your completed returns and any payments by Tuesday of this year. This is the standard deadline unless you live in a state with extended relief, work abroad, or have been affected by natural disasters.

However, when taxes are due can shift depending on where the date falls. If April 15 lands on a weekend or federal holiday, the deadline automatically rolls to the next business day. Last year, residents of Maine and Massachusetts had until April 17 because April 15 coincided with Patriots’ Day.

State Tax Deadlines Vary — And That Matters

Nine states — Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming — don’t levy income tax on wages, so residents of these states only need to worry about federal deadlines.

For the other 41 states plus Washington, D.C., most align with the federal deadline. But there are notable exceptions:

• Hawaii: Extended to April 21
• Delaware: Extended to April 30
• Georgia and South Carolina: Extended to May 1 (disaster relief from Hurricane Helene)
• Parts of multiple states: Some areas affected by recent disasters have until May 1, while California’s Los Angeles County residents get until October 15
• Kentucky and parts of West Virginia: November 3

Understanding when your specific state taxes are due requires checking your state’s tax authority, as extension rules also vary by state.

Running Out of Time? Get an Extension

If you can’t meet the deadline, don’t panic. The IRS allows a six-month extension to file, pushing your deadline to October 15. You can request an extension through:

1. IRS Free File
2. Form 4868 (mailed)
3. Making a partial or full payment online while checking the extension box

Here’s the catch: an extension to file is not an extension to pay. You must still submit any taxes owed by the original April 15 deadline to avoid late-payment penalties. The extension only gives you more time to complete your paperwork, not to delay payment.

Military personnel stationed abroad and U.S. citizens living overseas automatically receive a two-month extension, while those impacted by natural disasters may qualify for additional relief periods.

The Penalty Trap: What Happens If You Miss the Deadline

Missing when taxes are due comes with real financial consequences. Failing to file carries a penalty of 5% of your owed tax amount per month, capping at 25%. Failing to pay is slightly less harsh but still costly — 0.5% per month up to 25%.

If you owed money but didn’t file by the deadline, these penalties stack up quickly. For example, missing the deadline by three months could cost you 15% in filing penalties alone, on top of any interest charges.

The IRS may waive or reduce penalties if you demonstrate reasonable cause, such as a serious illness, death in the family, or natural disaster. If you overpaid your 2024 taxes, you generally won’t face penalties for filing late — but don’t delay, because the IRS only allows three years to claim refunds.

What If You Can’t Afford to Pay?

If paying in full isn’t feasible by the deadline, file anyway and pay what you can. Partial payments minimize penalties and show good faith to the IRS.

The IRS offers repayment plans:

• If you owe less than $50,000, you can spread payments over several months or years
• If you owe less than $100,000, a four-month plan may be available

You can also explore the Offer in Compromise program, which sometimes allows you to settle your debt for less than the full amount owed.

Bottom Line

When are my taxes due? For most people, the answer is April 15, 2025. But whether you’re filing federal returns, managing multiple state deadlines, or seeking relief through an extension, the key is to act before Tuesday. The consequences of missing the deadline — penalties, interest, and lost refunds — make procrastination an expensive mistake. File now, pay what you can, and use the tools the IRS provides to avoid unnecessary financial damage.