2021 American Small Business Payroll Calendar

Wagepoint American Small Business Payroll Calendar 

This is the 2021 American Payroll Calendar. If you're looking for the Canadian Calendar, click here. 

Keeping up with payroll dates and holidays can be a challenge, which is why we put together the Wagepoint 2021 Payroll Calendar.

It gives you a year-long overview of key small business payroll deadlines — so you can focus on running your business without worrying about missing important dates.

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2021 Payroll Calendar Dates [List Format]

January

Jan. 1 — New Year’s Day — All banks closed

• Note: For federal holidays with bank closures, allow at least one extra business day for direct deposit. Federal employment and unemployment tax deposits must be made on a business day, Monday to Friday. If a deposit is required on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, you must make your deposit by the close of the following business day.

Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes for Payrolls Issued Wed. - Fri. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29 — Semi-Weekly Depositor Payroll Taxes for Payrolls Issued Sat. – Tues. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

Jan. 11 — Filing Deadline:

• Tipped Income Reports Due

Jan. 15 — Payment Deadline:

• Monthly Depositor Payroll Tax Deposits Due
• 4th Quarter 2020 Estimated Business Tax Payments (Self-Employed or applicable small business)

Jan. 18 — MLK Day — All banks closed

• Note: For federal holidays with bank closures, allow at least one extra business day for direct deposit. Federal employment and unemployment tax deposits must be made on a business day, Monday to Friday. If a deposit is required on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, you must make your deposit by the close of the following business day.

February

Feb. 1 — Payment Deadline:

• Annual Reporter Payroll Tax Deposit Due

Filing Deadline:

• Form W-2s with Form W-3s (File with the SSA and provide copies to employees)
• Form 940 — Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
• Form 941 Employer’s QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return
• Form 944 — (If notified by the IRS to do so)
• Form 945 — Non-Payroll Withholding
• Copy A of Paper Form 1099 (Nonemployee compensation) with Form 1096 — with Entries for Box 1 (Payments to Contract Workers)
• Note: Certain states follow the federal W-2 deadlines while others have different schedules. If you are handling your end-of-year manually, you will need to verify the dates for the states in which you operate/pay employees through the appropriate state websites. You should also verify that you have used the correct rate tables for your state W-2s and 1099s. 

Feb. 2 — Groundhog Day

Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes for Payroll Issued Wed. - Fri. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes for Payrolls Issued Sat. – Tues. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

Feb. 10 — Filing Deadline:

• Tipped Income Reports Due

Feb. 14 — Valentine’s Day

Feb. 15 — Presidents’ Day — All banks closed

• Note: For federal holidays with bank closures, allow at least one extra business day for direct deposit. Federal employment and unemployment tax deposits must be made on a business day, Monday to Friday. If a deposit is required on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, you must make your deposit by the close of the following business day.

Feb. 16 — Payment Deadline:

• Monthly Depositor Payroll Tax Deposits Due

Feb. 26 — Manual Filing Deadline:

• Copy A of Paper Form 1099 (Miscellaneous Income) with Form 1096 — With NO Entries for Box 7 (Payments to Contract Workers)
• Paper Form 8027 (Employer’s Report of Tipped Income)
• Paper W-2s (AZ, AK, KS, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NJ, NM, WV)
• Paper and Electronic W-2s (OK)
• Note: Certain states follow the federal W-2 deadlines while others have different schedules. If you are handling your end-of-year manually, you will need to verify the dates for the states in which you operate/pay employees through the appropriate state websites. You should also verify that you have used the correct rate tables for your state W-2s and 1099s. 

March

Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes for Payrolls Issued Wed. - Fri. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

Mar.  5, 12, 19, 26 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes for Payrolls Issued Sat. - Tues. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

Mar. 10 — Filing Deadline:

• Tipped Income Reports Due

Mar. 15 — Payment Deadline:

• Monthly Depositor Payroll Tax Deposits

Tax Filing Deadline:

• C, S-corps and partnerships

Mar. 17 — St. Patrick’s Day

Mar. 31 — Electronic Filing Deadline:

• Forms 1099 and 8027
• State W-2s and 1099s (AZ, AK, KS, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NJ, NM, WV)
• Note: Certain states follow the federal W-2 deadlines while others have different schedules. If you are handling your end-of-year manually, you will need to verify the dates for the states in which you operate/pay employees through the appropriate state websites. You should also verify that you have used the correct rate tables for your state W-2s and 1099s. 

April

Apr. 2 — Good Friday

Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes for Payrolls Issued Sat. - Tues. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

Apr. 4 — Easter

Apr. 5 — Easter Monday

Apr. 7, 14, 21, 28 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes for Payrolls Issued Wed. - Fri. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

Apr. 9 — Filing Deadline:

• Tipped Income Reports Due

Apr. 15 — Payment Deadline:

• Monthly Depositor Payroll Tax Deposits Due
• 1st Quarter Estimated Business Tax Payments (Self-Employed or applicable small business)

Filing Deadline:

• Federal income tax (individuals and sole proprietors)
• Final day to make estimated tax payments for 2019 (C-corps)
• Last day to contribute to retirement and health savings accounts

Apr. 30 — Quarterly Filing Deadline:

• Form 941 Employer’s QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return

May

May 5 — Cinco de Mayo

May 5, 12, 19, 26 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes for Payrolls Issued Wed. - Fri. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

May 7, 14, 21, 28 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes for Payrolls Issued Sat. - Tues. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

May 9 — Mother's Day

May 10 — Filing Deadline:

• Tipped Income Reports Due

May 17 — Payment Deadline:

• Monthly Depositor Payroll Tax Deposits Due

May 31 — Memorial Day — All banks closed

• Note: For federal holidays with bank closures, allow at least one extra business day for direct deposit. Federal employment and unemployment tax deposits must be made on a business day, Monday to Friday. If a deposit is required on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, you must make your deposit by the close of the following business day.

June

Jun. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes for Payrolls Issued Wed. - Fri. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

Jun. 4, 11, 18, 25 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes for Payrolls Issued Sat. - Tues. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

Jun. 10 — Filing Deadline:

• Tipped Income Reports Due

Jun. 15 — Payment Deadline:

• Monthly Depositor Payroll Tax Deposits Due
• 2nd Quarter Estimated Business Tax Payments (Self-Employed or applicable small business)

Jun. 20 — Father's Day

July

Jul. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes for Payrolls Issued Sat. - Tues. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

Jul. 4 — Independence Day

Jul. 5 — Independence Day Observed — All banks closed

• Note: For federal holidays with bank closures, allow at least one extra business day for direct deposit. Federal employment and unemployment tax deposits must be made on a business day, Monday to Friday. If a deposit is required on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, you must make your deposit by the close of the following business day.

Jul. 7, 14, 21, 28 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes for Payrolls Issued Wed. - Fri. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

Jul. 9 — Filing Deadline:

• Tipped Income Reports Due

Jul. 15 — Payment Deadline:

• Monthly Depositor Payroll Tax Deposits Due

August

Aug. 2 — Quarterly Filing Deadline:

Form 941 Employer’s QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return

Aug. 4, 11, 18, 25 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes for Payrolls Issued Wed. - Fri. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes for Payrolls Issued Sat. - Tues. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

Aug. 10 — Filing Deadline:

• Tipped Income Reports Due

Aug. 16 — Payment Deadline:

• Monthly Depositor Payroll Tax Deposits Due

September

Sep. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes for Payrolls Issued Wed. - Fri. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

Sep. 3, 10, 17, 24 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes for Payrolls Issued Sat. - Tues. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

Sep. 6 — Labor Day — All banks closed

• Note: For federal holidays with bank closures, allow at least one extra business day for direct deposit. Federal employment and unemployment tax deposits must be made on a business day, Monday to Friday. If a deposit is required on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, you must make your deposit by the close of the following business day.

Sep. 10 — Filing Deadline:

• Tipped Income Reports Due

Sep. 15 — Payment Deadline:

• Monthly Depositor Payroll Tax Deposits Due
• 3rd Quarter Estimated Business Tax Payments (Self-Employed or applicable small business)

October

Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes for Payrolls Issued Sat. - Tues. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes for Payrolls Issued Wed. - Fri. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

Oct. 11 — Columbus Day | Indigenous People’s Day ME, NM, SD — All banks closed

• Note: For federal holidays with bank closures, allow at least one extra business day for direct deposit. Federal employment and unemployment tax deposits must be made on a business day, Monday to Friday. If a deposit is required on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, you must make your deposit by the close of the following business day.

Oct. 12 — Filing Deadline:

• Tipped Income Reports Due

Oct. 15 — Payment Deadline:

• Monthly Depositor Payroll Tax Deposits Due
• Individuals and sole proprietors that filed an extension in April

Filing Deadline:

• C-corps using electronic Form 1120

Oct. 31 — Halloween

November

Nov. 1 — Quarterly Filing Deadline:

• Form 941 Employer’s QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return

Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes for Payroll Issued Wed. - Fri. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes for Payrolls Issued Sat. - Tues. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

Nov. 10 — Filing Deadline:

• Tipped Income Reports Due

Nov. 11 — Veterans Day — All banks closed

• Note: For federal holidays with bank closures, allow at least one extra business day for direct deposit. Federal employment and unemployment tax deposits must be made on a business day, Monday to Friday. If a deposit is required on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, you must make your deposit by the close of the following business day.

Nov. 15 — Payment Deadline:

• Monthly Depositor Payroll Tax Deposits Due

Nov. 25 — Thanksgiving — All banks closed

• Note: For federal holidays with bank closures, allow at least one extra business day for direct deposit. Federal employment and unemployment tax deposits must be made on a business day, Monday to Friday. If a deposit is required on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, you must make your deposit by the close of the following business day.

December

Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes or Payrolls Issued Wed. - Fri. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 — Semi-Weekly Payroll Taxes for Payrolls Issued Sat. - Tues. (Due one week after the payroll is issued.)

Dec. 10 — Filing Deadline:

• Tipped Income Reports Due

Dec. 15 — Payment Deadline:

• Monthly Depositor Payroll Tax Deposits Due

Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve

Dec. 25 — Christmas Day

Dec. 31 — New Year’s Eve

Enjoy the calendar! If you have any questions or suggestions, please let us know in the comments below. Your comments can help us make this tool even better. 

The advice we share on our blog is intended to be informational. It does not replace the expertise of accredited business professionals. Wagepoint assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in this document. 

About the Author

Mel is a Content Specialist at Wagepoint with a keen interest in Wellness, People & Culture and the Employee Experience. When she isn't writing, she spends her time dog mom-ing, sipping on lattes, inhaling banana cream pies and studying into different personality frameworks.

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