Grateful, Full, and Already Thinking About January (Because Someone Has To)
The holidays are weird as a business owner. You’re tired. You’re proud.
And you’re trying to shut your brain off… but also mentally reviewing the year while wrapping gifts or standing in line at Target.
And while we’re all soaking in the end-of-year chaos, January tax deadlines for small business owners are already approaching. January isn’t a “slow ease-back-in” month; it’s when the IRS starts paying close attention.
But before we dive into January deadlines and all the not-so-festive admin stuff, let me say this first:
We’re genuinely grateful for our clients.
For trusting us with your numbers.
For asking questions.
And for caring enough about your business to not stick your head in the sand and hope it all works out.
You built something real this year. Even if it felt messy, and even if it didn’t go exactly how you planned. Even if growth looked different than you expected.
And because you’re building something real, January matters.
Let’s talk about what’s coming so it doesn’t ruin your holiday vibe later.
January Is Not “Ease Back In” Month
It’s “The IRS Is Paying Attention” Month. Every year, January sneaks up on business owners who thought they had more time.
You don’t. Sorry!
Here are the key deadlines you need on your radar as we roll out of holiday mode and into real-life mode.
1. Estimated Taxes Are Due January 15
If you’re required to make quarterly estimated tax payments, January 15 is not optional. This covers your income from October through December.
Skipping it or “waiting to see what happens” usually results in:
- Penalties.
- Interest.
- A very rude surprise later.
Estimated payments aren’t about guessing perfectly. They’re about staying compliant and avoiding unnecessary pain.
If you’re not sure:
- Whether you should be paying estimates.
- How much you should be paying.
- Or if you’re wildly underpaying.
That’s not a January problem. That’s a “we should talk” problem.
2. 1099s Are Due—and Our Deadline Is January 15, 2026 for W-9 submissions
If you paid contractors this year, 1099s are part of the deal.
No, Venmo doesn’t make this go away.
No, “they’re basically an employee” doesn’t count.
And no, ignoring it doesn’t end well.
The IRS deadline to file 1099s is January 31.
Our internal deadline for W-9 submissions is January 15, 2026.
Why so early?
Because chasing missing W-9s on January 28 is a nightmare for everyone involved.
And because accuracy matters.
AND because late filings = penalties, and we don’t do avoidable penalties.
If you worked with contractors this year:
- Make sure you have W-9s.
- Make sure they’re accurate.
- Make sure you submit them to Lookout Bookkeeping by 1/15/26 if we are filing 1099s for you.
Future you will be very thankful.
3. W-2s Are Going Out
If you have employees, January means W-2 season.
W-2s must be:
- Filed with the SSA.
- Sent to employees.
- Accurate (names, SSNs, wages, withholdings… all of it).
The deadline is January 31.
This is why clean payroll all year matters. This is why “we’ll fix it later” payroll setups always come back to bite.
If payroll has felt confusing, stressful, or duct-taped together—that’s a 2026 fix, not something to ignore.
IF you made a mid-year change with your payroll processing company, CONFIRM your former company is NOT issuing W-2s & EOY reports. This is EXTREMELY important. Please reach out if you have questions on this.
4. March 15: S-Corp & Partnership Tax Returns Are Due
This one catches a lot of business owners off guard.
If you’re an S-corp or partnership, your business tax return is due March 15—a full month before the April 15 individual tax deadline.
What that actually means:
- You do not have until April to get your books together.
- Your CPA needs clean, finalized financials earlier than you think.
- January and February matter a lot more than people expect.
Yes, extensions exist.
No, extensions do not remove the need for accurate books.
Waiting until late February to “start thinking about taxes” is how things get rushed, sloppy, and stressful.
A Quick Reality Check Before the New Year
Deadlines aren’t the problem.
The problem is when:
- Books aren’t clean (or worse, you have no books)
- Contractors weren’t tracked
- Payroll wasn’t set up correctly
- No one knew what was happening until December
That’s when January through March feels like punishment instead of process.
Good bookkeeping doesn’t just keep you compliant.
It gives you space to:
- Enjoy the holidays
- Close the year with confidence
- Make smarter decisions going forward
And that’s the whole point.
From Our Desk to Yours
We see how hard our clients work.
We see the growth, the pivots, the stress, and the wins; even when you don’t always stop to acknowledge them.
You didn’t start your business to become a bookkeeper.
We did.
So enjoy the holidays. Be proud of what you built this year.
And when January (and March) show up loud and demanding, know you don’t have to handle it alone.
Ready for Support That Actually Makes This Easier?
- Grab our free guide:
Tax Planning Questions to Ask Your Accountant - Need help with bookkeeping, payroll, or staying compliant into 2026?
Inquire about working with us - Already a client?
Check the client portal for your January–March checklist and deadlines.
Cheers to closing the year strong, and starting the next one without chaos.
Frequently Asked Questions
The biggest deadlines to keep in mind are January 15 for estimated tax payments, January 31 for 1099 and W-2 filings, and March 15 for S-corp and partnership tax returns. These dates come fast after the holidays and require your books to be accurate well before tax season is in full swing.
You make estimated tax payments to the IRS each quarter on income that doesn’t have automatic withholding. Most small business owners—including sole proprietors, partners, and S-corp owners—must make these payments if they expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal taxes for the year.
Estimated tax payments are due four times per year:
April 15 for income earned January through March.
June 15 for income earned April through May.
September 15 for income earned June through August.
January 15 for income earned September through December.
These payments typically cover:
Federal income tax.
Self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare).
You calculate estimated taxes using your expected annual profit, prior-year tax liability, or year-to-date financials. If you pay too little or skip payments, the IRS can charge penalties and interest — even if you pay the full tax balance when you file your return. Making timely, accurate estimated payments requires up-to-date bookkeeping and regular review of your business’s profitability throughout the year.
Missing the January 15 estimated tax deadline can lead to penalties and interest from the IRS. Even if the amount owed is eventually paid, the IRS may still assess charges for late or insufficient payments.
1099 forms must be sent to contractors and filed with the IRS by January 31. Late or incorrect filings can result in penalties, which is why collecting W-9s early and maintaining clean records throughout the year is critical. Lookout Bookkeeping recommends collecting a W-9 from a contractor PRIOR to any payment being issued to the contractor. If Lookout Bookkeeping will file your 1099s, we recommend uploading that information in our client portal as soon as you receive it.
You need a completed W-9 from each contractor, accurate payment totals, and properly categorized transactions in your bookkeeping system. Missing or incorrect information can delay filings and increase the risk of penalties.
Employees must receive their W-2 forms by January 31. Employers are also required to file W-2 information with the Social Security Administration by this same deadline, making accurate payroll processing throughout the year essential.
S-corporations and partnerships must file their business tax returns by March 15. This deadline is separate from and earlier than the April 15 individual tax deadline, which often surprises business owners.
S-corp and partnership returns generate tax documents that flow through to individual tax returns. Filing by March 15 ensures business owners and partners receive the information they need to complete their personal returns accurately and on time.
Yes. A tax extension only gives you more time to file the return, not more time to figure out your numbers. Your books still need to be accurate and complete to calculate your tax liability and avoid surprises.
