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Essential Tax Deadlines for Businesses in October 2025

As the crisp autumn air arrives, it's crucial for businesses to focus on important tax deadlines and compliance obligations. October brings a host of critical tax due dates including corporate filings, payroll tax deposits, and retirement plan contributions. Staying informed about these key deadlines helps you avoid penalties and ensures compliance.

October 15 - Corporate Tax Returns

Corporations with a calendar year basis need to file their 2024 income tax return using Form 1120. Remember, this deadline only applies if you previously submitted a timely request for a 6-month extension by April 15. Ensure all taxes, interest, and penalties are settled by this date to avoid unnecessary complications.

October 15 - Payroll Tax Deposits

Employers who follow monthly deposit rules need to submit their Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income tax for September 2025 by this date. The same deadline applies for nonpayroll withholding deposits if the monthly deposit rule is applicable.

October 15 - Deadline for Establishing Keogh Accounts

If you've extended your 2024 tax return filing and you’re self-employed, you have until October 15, 2025, to establish a Keogh Retirement Account, allowing contributions for 2024.

October 15 - SEP and Keogh Contributions

For those utilizing a SEP or Keogh retirement plan, contributions for the 2024 calendar year must be made by October 15 if your tax return extension is through this date.

October 31 - Quarterly Payroll Tax Filings

File Form 941 for the third quarter of 2025 to meet federal requirements. Any undeposited tax needs to be settled according to the accuracy of deposit rules. If liabilities are below $2,500, you may pay directly with a timely filed return. Otherwise, if taxes were fully deposited on time, you can postpone filing until November 10.

October 31 - Tax Deposits for Small Employers

Small employers must deposit any outstanding taxes if their total liability exceeds $2,500 for the year, but remains under that threshold for the third quarter.

October 31 - Federal Unemployment Tax

For employers with tax amounts exceeding $500 through September, ensure Federal Unemployment Tax deposits are made by this date.

Recognition of Weekends and Holidays

Any due date occurring on a weekend or legal holiday will automatically extend to the next business day that isn’t a holiday, giving you a slight reprieve in those cases.

Disaster Relief and Extensions

In circumstances where an area is designated as a disaster zone, relevant extensions to due dates apply. Stay updated by visiting these resources: FEMA and IRS.

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