PayoutTaxFunded trader tax calendar
Updated November 1, 2026 · For the 2026 tax year
Prop firms don't withhold tax, so funded traders have more dates to watch than most people. These are the federal ones for 2026 payouts and the start of 2027.
Key dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| December 31, 2026 | Last day of the 2026 tax year. Work through the year-end checklist before then. |
| January 15, 2027 | Last estimated payment for 2026. |
| February 1, 2027 | Deadline for prop firms to send your 1099-NEC (January 31 is a Sunday). Also the date to file and pay in full if you're skipping the January 15 payment. |
| April 15, 2027 | 2026 return due, along with any tax you still owe. First estimated payment for 2027. |
| June 15, 2027 | Second estimated payment for 2027. |
| September 15, 2027 | Third estimated payment for 2027. |
| October 15, 2027 | 2026 return due if you got an extension. The extension doesn't move the date to pay. |
| January 2028 | Last estimated payment for 2027. January 15, 2028 is a Saturday, so expect a later date. |
We worked out the 2027 dates from the IRS's usual schedule and its weekend and holiday rule. Check them against the 2027 Form 1040-ES when the IRS publishes it.
Three things people get wrong
- The quarters aren't even. The gaps between due dates run from two months to four months.
- An extension is only for filing. Your tax is still due in April, so pay what you can even if the return comes later.
- You may not need all four payments. The IRS expects estimated payments if you'll owe $1,000 or more when you file, and a day-job W-4 can cover it instead. The quarterly guide explains how.
Your state has dates too
Most states with an income tax have their own estimated payments, and those dates may not match the federal ones. Check your state revenue department's site. See state taxes on payouts.
Missed a date?
Pay as soon as you can, because the penalty runs for each day the payment is late. See what to do after a missed payment.
Know what to pay
The free calculator shows what's due next, based on your payouts so far. These are planning estimates, not tax advice: confirm with a CPA.
Sources
- IRS, 2026 Form 1040-ES: 2026 estimated payment dates, the February 1 exception and the $1,000 rule
- IRS, Instructions for Forms 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC: the January 31 deadline
- IRS, When to file: the April 15 date and the next-business-day rule
- IRS, Get an extension: the October 15 date, and that an extension is only for filing
General information, not tax advice. This guide explains common rules for US funded traders; your situation may differ. It isn't a substitute for a licensed CPA or IRS enrolled agent, so review your own numbers with one before you file or pay.