Beat the January 31st Deadline: A Comprehensive Filing Checklist.
January 2026 presents unique challenges due to the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) Act and recent IRS changes. Most notably, because January 31, 2026, falls on a Saturday, many of your major deadlines officially shift to Monday, February 2, 2026.
Below is your updated comprehensive checklist with critical 2026-specific regulatory changes.
The 2026 Master Deadline: February 2nd
Since Jan 31 is a Saturday, the following are due by Feb 2:
W-2s: Furnish to employees and file with the SSA.
1099-NEC: Furnish to recipients and file with the IRS.
Form 941: File the 4th Quarter 2025 payroll tax return.
Form 940/944: Annual federal unemployment/small employer tax returns.
1099 & Information Reporting Updates
The reporting landscape has shifted significantly for the 2025 tax year (filed in 2026):1099-K
Threshold Reset: Great news for casual sellers, the OBBB Act retroactively reinstated the higher threshold. You generally receive a 1099-K only if you had over $20,000 in gross payments and more than 200 transactions.
The 10-Return E-File Rule: If you are filing 10 or more information returns (totaling W-2s, 1099s, etc.), you must e-file. Paper filing is no longer an option for most small businesses.
$600 Threshold Still Applies: For the 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC forms you are issuing this month (for the 2025 tax year), the $600 threshold applies.
Note: For payments made during 2026 (to be filed in 2027), this threshold will increase to $2,000.
IRIS vs. FIRE: This is the final year the IRS FIRE system will be the primary portal. The IRS is encouraging users to use the new IRIS (Information Returns Intake System) portal for 1099s.
Payroll & Employee Benefits
New W-2 Codes for 2026: If you paid “Qualified Overtime” or “Qualified Tips” in 2025 (under new tax-free incentives), check your software for updated Box 14 reporting requirements.
Social Security Wage Base: For your current January 2026 payroll, the new wage base is $184,500.
Trump Accounts: Starting July 4, 2026, employers can contribute up to $2,500 tax-free to these new employee savings accounts. Set up your tracking systems now if you plan to participate.
Regulatory & Corporate Compliance
Corporate Transparency Act (CTA): In a major shift, an interim final rule has exempted domestic U.S. companies (those created in the U.S.) from reporting Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) to FinCEN. Currently, only foreign-formed entities registered to do business in the U.S. must file.
Sales Tax: While the checklist mentions January 31, double-check your state’s specific portal. For example, in California (CDTFA), the 4th quarter return and payment remain due by January 31, 2026.
Zumifi: Your Partner in Financial Compliance
At Zumifi, we understand the importance of staying on top of financial filings. Our comprehensive management services help establish financial discipline and routines to keep your books organized and up to date. From monitoring performance and creating budgets to implementing internal controls and providing QuickBooks expertise, we’re here to streamline your processes and drive growth.
Don’t let filing deadlines sneak up on you. Contact Zumifi today, and let us handle the heavy lifting, freeing you to focus on what you do best – running your business.
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– Mike Doherty: Founder, Understanding eCommerce.
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