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Tax & benefit calendar blog
Tax and benefit calendar posts explain filing deadlines, annual contribution limits, FSA and HSA timing, and Social Security adjustments. Each dated post identifies the year its figures apply to and links to the IRS or Social Security announcement behind them.
2026 Estimated Tax Payment Dates and Safe Harbor
The four general 2026 individual federal estimated-tax dates are April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15, 2027. A filing extension does not move them.
Read post →COLA · OctoberSocial Security COLA for 2027: 3.6% and Payment Timing
SSA announced a 3.6% COLA on October 14, 2026. Social Security payments change in January 2027; increased SSI payments begin December 31, 2026.
Read post →FSA/HSA · December2026 FSA Year-End Deadline: Carryover, Grace and Claims
A 2026 health FSA can permit up to $680 of carryover, or a grace period, under the employer’s plan. Check the service date separately from the claim deadline.
Read post →Year-end · DecemberTax-Loss Harvesting Deadline: Trade Date and Wash Sales
For ordinary stocks traded on an established market, the trade date determines the tax year. Settlement in January does not move a December sale into January.
Read post →Extended filing · OctoberOctober Tax Extension Deadline: What to File and What Was Due
A timely extension generally made October 15, 2026 the deadline to file a 2025 individual return. It did not extend the April payment deadline.
Read post →Withholding · JanuaryW-4 Withholding Check: January and Midyear Changes
Compare projected full-year withholding with the year’s estimated tax before changing Form W-4. A refund alone does not tell you what the next election should be.
Read post →Annual limits · January2026 Contribution Limits: 401(k), IRA and HSA Payroll Planning
The 2026 basic limits are $24,500 for 401(k) elective deferrals, $7,500 across IRAs, and $4,400/$8,750 for eligible self-only/family HSA coverage.
Read post →Tax filing season · Q1–Q2Tax Day 2026: Filing, Payment and Prior-Year Contributions
April 15, 2026 was the general deadline for a 2025 individual federal return, payment and eligible 2025 IRA contributions. These are separate actions.
Read post →Read the tax year as well as the calendar date
A payment made early in a calendar year can belong to the preceding tax year, while a contribution elected through payroll can belong to the year of that payroll. Each post identifies the action being discussed: filing a return, paying a balance, making an estimated installment or contributing to an account. An extension of one deadline does not automatically extend the others.
For a future change, use the official announcement rather than assuming last year’s amount increases again.