How to file small business taxes in 5 quick steps in 2026

1. Gather your records for tax filing

At the most basic level, you need to file your tax return each year through the IRS to figure out your tax liability. As a business, you might have to pay taxes that include:

• Estimated tax: Quarterly federal and state tax payments made throughout the year for income that isn't subject to tax withholding.
• Self-employment tax: Social Security and Medicare taxes for independent contractors and self-employed individuals. 
• Sales tax: Taxes collected from taxable goods and services. 
• Property tax: Taxes paid on the value of a business property. 
• Excise tax: Taxes on specific goods or services. 
• Employment taxes: Social Security, Medicare, federal income tax withholding, and Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) taxes.

Keep detailed records of all business expenses paid throughout the year, as they can help lower your taxable income. To accurately report your business income and qualified business expenses, you'll need to compile all available company records.

Some of the essential small business documents to gather when preparing your taxes include:

What are the new 2026 W-2 reporting requirements? 

If you have employees, be aware that the IRS has introduced new reporting requirements on Form W-2 for the 2026 tax year to account for new federal tax deductions for tips and overtime. To ensure your employees can claim these deductions, you must track and report the following in Box 12 and Box 14:

• Box 12, Code TP: Use this code to report the total amount of qualified tips received by the employee.
• Box 12, Code TT: Use this code to report the total amount of qualified overtime compensation (specifically the "half" portion of time-and-a-half pay required by the FLSA).
• Box 14b: This new field is used to report a specific Treasury tipped occupation code for employees in industries where tips are customary.

Note for 2026: Unlike the previous year's "transition relief," these fields are now a standard part of the payroll reporting process. Ensure your payroll software is updated to capture these specific tip and overtime categories throughout the year so your year-end filing is seamless.

How software can help with taxes

Using tax preparation or financial software to track expenses and transactions throughout the year is often easier than trying to gather all the info right before your due date. 

Live experts with QuickBooks Live Expert Assisted can provide guidance and answer questions for QuickBooks Online users, so you can stay organized and be ready for tax time.* If you don't yet have access, sign up for your free QuickBooks Online trial today.

2. Know what IRS forms you need to file 

The types of IRS forms you'll need to fill out to file small business taxes primarily depend on your business structure.

Here are the key small business tax forms you might need to file according to your business structure:

An LLC can elect to be taxed as a C corporation (using Form 1120) or an S corporation (by timely filing Form 2553).

A step by step guide on how to create and file 1099 forms with QuickBooks

3. Fill out your small business tax forms

When filling out your small business tax forms, carefully follow each step and provide accurate information. 

Here are some tips to fill out your forms:

• Read the instructions carefully: The IRS provides detailed instructions for each form. Take the time to read them carefully before you start filling out your return.
• Use tax software: Tax software can make it much easier to fill out your forms and avoid mistakes. Many software programs will even import data directly from your accounting software.
• Double-check your work: Before you file your return, double-check all of your entries to ensure their accuracy.
• Consider getting help: If you're not comfortable filling out your forms alone, you can always hire a tax professional to help you.

Now, let's take a closer look at some of the most common forms small businesses use and what you'll need to know to complete them accurately.

Schedule C

If you’re filing using Schedule C, the form is a bit less complex, as it is only two pages. Start by entering your basic business information, like your business name, address, and EIN (if you have one). Then, you'll move on to reporting your income and expenses.

• Income: Report all the money your business earned during the year. Be sure to include all sources of income, such as sales and services.
• Expenses: Deduct your business expenses, like advertising costs, office supplies, and travel expenses. Remember to have your records handy to back up these deductions.

Once you've entered all your income and expenses, you'll calculate your net profit or loss. This is the amount you'll report on your personal income tax return (Form 1040).

Form 1065

Form 1065 is a bit more complex than Schedule C. You'll need to provide information about your partnership or LLC, including the names and addresses of all partners or members. You'll also need to report the partnership's income and expenses.

Once you've completed Form 1065, you'll need to prepare Schedule K-1 for each partner or member. This form shows their share of the partnership's income or loss.

Form 1120 and Form 1120S

Form 1120 and Form 1120S are more extensive and might require a bit more time to fill out. Be prepared with all of the required information, and have your supporting documents handy before filling out your form.

4. Know the small business tax deadlines

During some tax years, the due date for sending in your personal income tax return or small business tax return falls on a holiday or a weekend. If that occurs, the new tax deadline is the next business day.

Here are the key tax filing dates and deadlines you’ll want to be aware of: 

• March 17: For partnerships and multimember LLCs that file a Form 1065 with the federal government and give out a Schedule K-1 to partners, and S-corps filing Form 1120-S.
• April 15: For individuals, including sole proprietors or single-member LLCs filing Schedule C.
• April 15: Corporations with a fiscal year that ends on December 31, submitting Form 1120.
• 15th day of the 4th month after the fiscal year end: For businesses with a fiscal year that doesn't end on December 31st.

A small business tax prep checklist and calendar reminders can help you get clear on your due dates to make filing business taxes easier.

A step by step on how to file a 1099-NEC

File for a business tax extension if needed

Need to push back your deadline? You can file for a business tax extension to send your taxes in later with Form 7004. This form grants a six-month extension to file, though it doesn't provide extra time to pay. If you use Schedule C to file your business taxes, you can request an extension to file your individual tax return with Form 4868. Get the extension filed before the deadline so you don’t have to pay penalties. 

If you don’t file an extension and miss your tax filing deadline, you might face the Failure to File Penalty. The penalty is 5% of your unpaid taxes for each month or part of the month that your small business tax return is late.

5. File small business taxes

Now that you have everything in order, it’s time to file your small business taxes. You can do this one of two ways:

• E-filing: This is generally the preferred method. It's faster, more secure, and reduces errors. 
• Mailing a paper return: You can still mail your return to the IRS, but it takes longer to process and increases the chance of errors. If you choose this method, make sure to use certified mail with a return receipt for proof of delivery.

If you’re concerned about filing your taxes correctly, it’s worth enlisting the help of a licensed tax professional. With the help of a pro, you can ensure that you: 

• Are compliant with tax laws. 
• Make the appropriate tax payments.
• Understand your tax refund.

Note that e-filing is easier and faster than mailing, meaning you can get your tax refund faster, too. The IRS offers many different filing options for small businesses to choose from.