What do I need to know about withholding and estimated taxes?

The U.S. income tax is a pay-as-you-go system. The law requires most employees and self-employed business owners to pay at least 90% of their taxes long before the April due date, which for 2023 individual tax returns is April 15, 2024 (April 17 in Maine and Massachusetts). This due date can be delayed for victims of federally declared disasters.

Can I get an extension to pay my taxes?

Taxpayers can request a six-month extension to file their returns—Oct. 15, 2024, for 2023 returns—but that doesn’t delay the requirement to pay what is owed by the April due date.