2002 Tax Help Archives  

Publication 509 2002 Tax Year

Tax Calendars for 2003
(Revised 10/2002)

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This is archived information that pertains only to the 2002 Tax Year. If you
are looking for information for the current tax year, go to the Tax Prep Help Area.

Important Change

Household employee wages.   The amount used to determine whether to report employment taxes for household employees has increased from $1,300 to $1,400 for 2003. If you will pay cash wages of $1,400 or more to a household employee in 2003, report any employment taxes paid for that employee.

Important Reminders

Electronic deposits of taxes.   The threshold that determines whether you must deposit taxes electronically is $200,000.

For more information, see Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) under Background Information for Using the Tax Calendars.

Extended due date for Forms 1098, 1099, and W-2 if filed electronically.   If you file Forms 1098, 1099, or W-2 electronically (not by magnetic media), your due date for filing them with the Internal Revenue Service or the Social Security Administration will be extended to March 31.

The due date for giving the recipient these forms will still be January 31.

For information about filing Forms 1098, 1099, or W-2G electronically, see Publication 1220, Specifications for Filing Forms 1098, 1099, 5498 and W-2G Electronically or Magnetically . For information about filing Form W-2 electronically with the Social Security Administration, call 1-800-772-6270.

Photographs of missing children.   The Internal Revenue Service is a proud partner with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Photographs of missing children selected by the Center may appear in this publication on pages that would otherwise be blank. You can help bring these children home by looking at the photographs and calling 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) if you recognize a child.

Introduction

A tax calendar is a 12-month calendar divided into quarters. The calendar gives specific due dates for the following.

  • Filing tax forms.
  • Paying taxes.
  • Taking other actions required by federal tax law.

What does the publication contain?   The publication contains the following.

  1. A section on how to use the tax calendars.
  2. Three tax calendars:
    1. General,
    2. Employer's, and
    3. Excise.
  3. A table showing the semiweekly deposit due dates for 2003.

Who should use this publication?   Primarily, employers need to use this publication. However, the general tax calendar has important due dates for all types of businesses and for individuals. Anyone who must pay excise taxes may need the excise tax calendar.

What are the advantages of using the tax calendar?   The following are advantages of using the tax calendar.

  • You do not have to figure the dates yourself.
  • You can file timely and avoid penalties.
  • You do not have to adjust the due dates for Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays.
  • You do not have to adjust the dates for special banking rules if you use the Employer's Tax Calendar or Excise Tax Calendar.

Which calendar(s) should I use?   To decide which calendar(s) to use, first look at the general tax calendar and highlight the dates that apply to you. Then, if you are an employer, use the Employer's Tax Calendar. If you must pay excise taxes, use the Excise Tax Calendar. Depending on your situation, you may need to use more than one calendar.

Table 1. Useful Publications
If You Are: You May Need:
An employer · Publication 15, Circular E, Employer's Tax Guide. · Publication 15-A, Employer's Supplemental Tax Guide. · Publication 15-B, Employer's Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits. · Publication 926, Household Employer's Tax Guide.
A farmer · Publication 51, Circular A, Agricultural Employer's Tax Guide. · Publication 225, Farmer's Tax Guide.
An individual · Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax.
Required to pay excise taxes · Publication 510, Excise Taxes for 2003.

What is not in these calendars?   The calendars do not cover the employment or excise tax deposit rules. You can find the deposit rules for employment taxes in Publication 15, Circular E, Employer's Tax Guide. The deposit rules for excise taxes are in Publication 510, Excise Taxes for 2003, and in the instructions for Form 720, Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return. In addition, the calendars do not cover filing forms and other requirements for the following.

  • Estate taxes.
  • Gift taxes.
  • Trusts.
  • Exempt organizations.
  • Certain types of corporations.
  • Foreign partnerships.

What other publications and tax forms will I need?   Table 1 lists other publications you may need to order. Each calendar lists the forms you may need.

See How To Get Tax Help near the end of this publication for information about getting publications and forms.

Comments and suggestions.   We welcome your comments about this publication and your suggestions for future editions.

You can e-mail us while visiting our web site at www.irs.gov.

You can write to us at the following address:

Internal Revenue Service
Tax Forms and Publications
W:CAR:MP:FP
1111 Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20224

We respond to many letters by telephone. Therefore, it would be helpful if you would include your daytime phone number, including the area code, in your correspondence.

Background Information for Using the Tax Calendars

The following brief explanations may be helpful to you in using the tax calendars.

Tax deposits.   Some taxes can be paid with the return on which they are reported. However, in many cases, you have to deposit the tax before the due date for filing the return. Tax deposits are figured for periods of time that are shorter than the time period covered by the return. See Publication 15 for the employment tax deposit rules. For the excise tax deposit rules, see Publication 510 or the instructions for Form 720.

Deposits must be made at an authorized financial institution. A deposit received after the due date will be considered timely if you can establish that it was mailed in the United States at least 2 days before the due date. However, deposits of $20,000 or more by a person required to deposit the tax more than once a month must be received by the due date to be timely.

Tax deposit coupons.   Each deposit must be accompanied by a federal tax deposit (FTD) coupon, Form 8109, unless you are using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) . The coupons have spaces for indicating the type of tax you are depositing. You must use a separate coupon for each type of tax. For example, if you are depositing both excise taxes and federal unemployment taxes, you must use two coupons. You can get the coupons you need by calling 1-800-829-4933. See How To Get Tax Help near the end of this publication for more information about ordering forms.

Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS).   You may have to deposit taxes using EFTPS. You must use EFTPS to make deposits of all depository tax liabilities (including social security, Medicare, withheld income, excise, and corporate income taxes) you incur in 2003 if you deposited more than $200,000 in federal depository taxes in 2001 or you had to make electronic deposits in 2002. If you first meet the $200,000 threshold in 2002, you must begin depositing using EFTPS in 2004. Once you meet the $200,000 threshold, you must continue to make deposits using EFTPS in later years.

If you must use EFTPS but fail to do so, you may be subject to a 10% penalty.

If you are not required to use EFTPS because you did not meet the $200,000 threshold during 1998, or during any subsequent year, then you may voluntarily make your deposits using EFTPS. However, if you are using EFTPS voluntarily, you will not be subject to the 10% penalty if you make a deposit using a paper coupon.

For information about EFTPS, access its web site on the Internet at www.eftps.gov or see Publication 966, Now a Full Range of Electronic Choices to Pay ALL Your Federal Taxes.

You can enroll in EFTPS on-line or you can call:

  • 1-800-945-8400
  • 1-800-555-4477

Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.   Generally, if a due date for performing any act for tax purposes falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, it is delayed until the next business day. These calendars make this adjustment for Saturdays, Sundays, and most legal holidays. But you must make any adjustments for statewide legal holidays. (An exception to this rule for certain excise taxes is noted later under the Excise Tax Calendar.)

Statewide holidays.   A statewide legal holiday delays a due date only if the IRS office where you are required to file is located in that state.

Federal holidays.   Federal legal holidays for 2003 are listed below.

  • January 1 - New Year's Day
  • January 20 - Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • February 17 - Presidents' Day
  • May 26 - Memorial Day
  • July 4 - Independence Day
  • September 1 - Labor Day
  • October 13 - Columbus Day
  • November 11 - Veterans' Day
  • November 27 - Thanksgiving Day
  • December 25 - Christmas Day

Penalties.   Whenever possible, you should take action before the listed due date. If you are late, you may have to pay a penalty as well as interest on any overdue taxes.

Be sure to follow all the tax laws that apply to you. In addition to civil penalties, criminal penalties may be imposed for intentionally not paying taxes, for intentionally filing a false return, or for not filing a required return.

Use of private delivery services.   You can use certain private delivery services designated by the IRS to meet the timely mailing as timely filing/paying rule for tax returns and payments. The most recent list of designated private delivery services was published by the IRS in October 2002. The list includes only the following.

  • Airborne Express (Airborne): Overnight Air Express Service, Next Afternoon Service, Second Day Service.
  • DHL Worldwide Express (DHL): DHL Same Day Service, DHL USA Overnight.
  • Federal Express (FedEx): FedEx Priority Overnight, FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx 2 Day, FedEx International Priority, and FedEx International First.
  • United Parcel Service (UPS): UPS Next Day Air, UPS Next Day Air Saver, UPS 2nd Day Air, UPS 2nd Day Air A.M., UPS Worldwide Express Plus, and UPS Worldwide Express.

The private delivery service can tell you how to get written proof of the mailing date.

CAUTION: The U.S. Postal Service advises that private delivery services cannot deliver items to P.O. boxes. You must use the U.S. Postal Service to mail any item to an IRS P.O. box address.

General Tax Calendar

This tax calendar has the due dates for 2003 that most taxpayers will need. Employers and persons who pay excise taxes also should use the Employer's Tax Calendar and the Excise Tax Calendar.

Fiscal-year taxpayers.   If you file your income tax return for a fiscal year rather than the calendar year, you must change some of the dates in this calendar. These changes are described under Fiscal-Year Taxpayers at the end of this calendar.

First Quarter

The first quarter of a calendar year is made up of January, February, and March.

January 10

Employees who work for tips.   If you received $20 or more in tips during December, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070, Employee's Report of Tips to Employer.

January 15

Individuals.   Make a payment of your estimated tax for 2002 if you did not pay your income tax for the year through withholding (or did not pay in enough tax that way). Use Form 1040-ES. This is the final installment date for 2002 estimated tax. However, you do not have to make this payment if you file your 2002 return (Form 1040) and pay any tax due by January 31, 2003.

Farmers and fishermen.   Pay your estimated tax for 2002 using Form 1040-ES. You have until April 15 to file your 2002 income tax return (Form 1040). If you do not pay your estimated tax by January 15, you must file your 2002 return and pay any tax due by March 3, 2003, to avoid an estimated tax penalty.

January 31

Individuals.   File your income tax return (Form 1040) for 2002 if you did not pay your last installment of estimated tax by January 15. Filing your return and paying any tax due by January 31 prevents any penalty for late payment of the last installment.

All businesses.   Give annual information statements to recipients of certain payments you made during 2002. (You can use the appropriate version of Form 1099 or other information return. Form 1099 can be issued electronically with the consent of the recipient.) Payments that are covered include the following.

  • Cash payments for fish (or other aquatic life) purchased from anyone engaged in the trade or business of catching fish.
  • Compensation for workers who are not considered employees (including fishing boat proceeds to crew members).
  • Dividends and other corporate distributions.
  • Interest.
  • Amounts paid in real estate transactions.
  • Rent.
  • Royalties.
  • Amounts paid in broker and barter exchange transactions.
  • Payments to attorneys.
  • Payments of Indian gaming profits to tribal members.
  • Profit-sharing distributions.
  • Retirement plan distributions.
  • Original issue discount.
  • Prizes and awards.
  • Medical and health care payments.
  • Debt cancellation (treated as payment to debtor).
  • Cash payments over $10,000. (See the instructions for Form 8300, Report of Cash Payments Over $10,000 Received in a Trade or Business.)

See the 2002 Instructions for Forms 1099, 1098, 5498, and W-2G for information on what payments are covered, how much the payment must be before a statement is required, which form to use, and extension of time to provide statements.

February 10

Employees who work for tips.   If you received $20 or more in tips during January, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070.

February 18

Individuals.   If you claimed exemption from income tax withholding last year on the Form W-4 you gave your employer, you must file a new Form W-4 by this date to continue your exemption for another year.

February 28

All businesses.   File information returns (Form 1099) for certain payments you made during 2002. These payments are described under January 31. There are different forms for different types of payments. Use a separate Form 1096 to summarize and transmit the forms for each type of payment. See the 2002 Instructions for Forms 1099, 1098, 5498, and W-2G for information on what payments are covered, how much the payment must be before a return is required, what form to use, and extensions of time to file.

If you file Forms 1098, 1099, or W-2G electronically (not by magnetic media), your due date for filing them with the IRS will be extended to March 31. The due date for giving the recipient these forms still will be January 31.

March 3

Farmers and fishermen.   File your 2002 income tax return (Form 1040) and pay any tax due. However, you have until April 15 to file if you paid your 2002 estimated tax by January 15, 2003.

March 10

Employees who work for tips.   If you received $20 or more in tips during February, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070.

March 17

Corporations.   File a 2002 calendar year income tax return (Form 1120 or 1120-A) and pay any tax due. If you want an automatic 6-month extension of time to file the return, file Form 7004 and deposit what you estimate you owe.

S corporations.   File a 2002 calendar year income tax return (Form 1120S) and pay any tax due. Provide each shareholder with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1120S), Shareholder's Share of Income, Credits, Deductions, etc., or a substitute Schedule K-1. If you want an automatic 6-month extension of time to file the return, file Form 7004 and deposit what you estimate you owe.

S corporation election.   File Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation, to choose to be treated as an S corporation beginning with calendar year 2003. If Form 2553 is filed late, S treatment will begin with calendar year 2004.

Electing large partnerships.   Provide each partner with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1065-B), Partner's Share of Income (Loss) From an Electing Large Partnership. This due date is effective for the first March 15 following the close of the partnership's tax year. If March 15 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, then the due date is the next business day. The due date of March 15 applies even if the partnership requests an extension of time to file the Form 1065-B by filing Form 8736 or Form 8800.

March 31

Electronic filing of Forms 1098, 1099, and W-2G.   File Forms 1098, 1099, or W-2G with the IRS. This due date applies only if you file electronically (not by magnetic media). Otherwise, see February 28.

The due date for giving the recipient these forms still will be January 31.

For information about filing Forms 1098, 1099, or W-2G electronically, see Publication 1220, Specifications for Filing Forms 1098, 1099, 5498 and W-2G Electronically or Magnetically.

Second Quarter

The second quarter of a calendar year is made up of April, May, and June.

April 10

Employees who work for tips.   If you received $20 or more in tips during March, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070.

April 15

Individuals.   File an income tax return for 2002 (Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ) and pay any tax due. If you want an automatic 4-month extension of time to file the return, file Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, or you can get an extension by phone if you pay part or all of your estimate of income tax due with a credit card. Then, file Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ by August 15. If you want an additional 2-month extension, file Form 2688, Application for Additional Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, as soon as possible, so that your application can be acted on before August 15.

Household employers.   If you paid cash wages of $1,300 or more in 2002 to a household employee, file Schedule H (Form 1040) with your income tax return and report any employment taxes. (The $1,300 amount is increased to $1,400 for 2003.) Report any federal unemployment (FUTA) tax on Schedule H if you paid total cash wages of $1,000 or more in any calendar quarter of 2002 or 2003 to household employees. Also, report any income tax you withheld for your household employees. For more information, see Publication 926.

Individuals.   If you are not paying your 2003 income tax through withholding (or will not pay in enough tax during the year that way), pay the first installment of your 2003 estimated tax. Use Form 1040-ES. For more information, see Publication 505.

Partnerships.   File a 2002 calendar year return (Form 1065). Provide each partner with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1065), Partner's Share of Income, Credits, Deductions, etc., or a substitute Schedule K-1. If you want an automatic 3-month extension of time to file the return and provide Schedule K-1, file Form 8736. Then, file Form 1065 by July 15. If you need an additional 3-month extension, file Form 8800.

Electing large partnerships.   File a 2002 calendar year return (Form 1065-B). If you want an automatic 3-month extension of time to file the return, file Form 8736. Then, file Form 1065-B by July 15. If you need an additional 3-month extension, file Form 8800. See March 17 for the due date for furnishing the Schedules K-1 to the partners.

Corporations.   Deposit the first installment of estimated income tax for 2003. A worksheet, Form 1120-W, is available to help you estimate your tax for the year.

May 12

Employees who work for tips.   If you received $20 or more in tips during April, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070.

June 10

Employees who work for tips.   If you received $20 or more in tips during May, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070.

June 16

Individuals.   If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien living and working (or on military duty) outside the United States and Puerto Rico, file Form 1040 and pay any tax, interest, and penalties due. Otherwise, see April 15. If you want additional time to file your return, file Form 4868 to obtain 2 additional months to file. Then, file Form 1040 by August 15. If you still need additional time, file Form 2688 to request an additional 2 months as soon as possible so that your application can be acted on before August 15.

However, if you are a participant in a combat zone you may be able to further extend the filing deadline. See Publication 3, Armed Forces' Tax Guide.

Individuals.   Make a payment of your 2003 estimated tax if you are not paying your income tax for the year through withholding (or will not pay in enough tax that way). Use Form 1040-ES. This is the second installment date for estimated tax in 2003. For more information, see Publication 505.

Corporations.   Deposit the second installment of estimated income tax for 2003. A worksheet, Form 1120-W, is available to help you estimate your tax for the year.

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