The first quarter of 2027 brings a run of deadlines that close out the 2026 tax year for North Carolina business owners. Fourth-quarter estimated payments are due January 15, W-2s and 1099-NECs are due February 1, federal S corporation and partnership returns are due March 15, and North Carolina pass-through returns are due April 15.
Knowing the dates is only part of the work. The owners who avoid April surprises use these weeks to gather clean numbers, make decisions while there is still time to act, and set up a plan for the year ahead.
Below, we walk through the first quarter tax calendar for owners of S corporations, LLCs, and partnerships in Raleigh, the Research Triangle, and across North Carolina. Confirm each date with your CPA, since weekends, holidays, and disaster relief can move them.
Why the First Quarter Sets the Tone for Your Tax Year
The work you do in January shapes how April feels. Almost every filing due in early 2027 depends on 2026 records, including payroll reports, contractor payments, year-end adjustments, and owner distributions. When those records are reconciled early, returns go out on time and owners receive their K-1s when they expect them.
The first quarter is also when you have the clearest view of the year ahead. Decisions about owner compensation, retirement plan contributions, and 2027 estimated payments are easier to make in February than in December, when many planning options have already closed.
That is why we treat the first quarter as a planning window as much as a filing deadline.
January Deadlines for Estimated Payments, W-2s, and 1099s
January carries the most deadlines, and most of them involve payroll and vendor records. Federal due dates that fall on a weekend or legal holiday move to the next business day, as the IRS Publication 509 tax calendar explains. That matters this year because January 31, 2027 falls on a Sunday.
- January 15, 2027: Fourth-quarter 2026 estimated tax payments are due for individuals, including S corporation shareholders and partners who pay estimated tax on their share of business income.
- February 1, 2027: Forms W-2 are due to employees and the Social Security Administration, and Forms 1099-NEC are due to contractors and the IRS. Fourth-quarter Form 941 and annual Form 940 payroll returns are also due.
- February 1, 2027 for North Carolina: Form NC-3, the annual withholding reconciliation, is due with the related W-2 and 1099 statements, and the NCDOR withholding instructions for employers require electronic filing.
One change deserves attention this year. For payments made in 2026, the reporting threshold for most Form 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC payments rose from $600 to $2,000, according to the IRS instructions for Forms 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC. Some payment types keep lower thresholds, and a form is still required when backup withholding applies, so review your vendor list with your CPA before you drop any filings.
March 15 and What S Corporation and Partnership Owners Need Ready
March 15, 2027 is the federal deadline for calendar-year S corporation and partnership returns. Form 1120-S and Form 1065 are due that Monday, along with the Schedule K-1 each shareholder or partner needs for their personal return. The Form 1120-S instructions and Form 1065 instructions set out what each return must include.
To meet that date without a scramble, most businesses need these items finished by mid-February:
- Closed and reconciled 2026 books, including bank, loan, and credit card accounts
- Fixed asset additions and disposals, with purchase dates and costs
- Owner compensation, distributions, and any shareholder or partner loans
- Capital contributions and any changes in ownership percentages
- Sales, payroll, or property in other states, which affects state filings
For owners, the K-1 ties everything together. A late K-1 usually means a late personal return, which is why we plan business and individual filings as one calendar instead of two.
North Carolina Filing Dates That Differ from Federal Ones
North Carolina gives pass-through entities an extra month. The state S corporation return, Form CD-401S, is due on the 15th day of the fourth month after year-end, according to the NCDOR CD-401S instructions. The partnership return, Form D-403, follows the same rule, so both are due April 15, 2027 for calendar-year businesses.
That extra month helps, but it is easy to misread. The federal return still drives the state return, so a business that misses March 15 usually has a problem in April as well.
North Carolina also lets eligible S corporations and partnerships elect to pay state income tax at the entity level. That election is made on the timely filed state return, so the decision belongs on your first quarter agenda rather than the week the return is due.
When an Extension Makes Sense and What It Does Not Extend
An extension buys time to file, not time to pay. Form 7004 gives S corporations and partnerships an automatic six-month extension, which moves the federal deadline to September 15, 2027. Individuals can use Form 4868 to extend their personal returns to October 15, 2027.
North Carolina generally grants an automatic state extension to a pass-through entity that has a federal extension, as long as the business indicates it on the state return. Tax is still due by the original deadline, and NCDOR charges interest on late payments even when an extension is in place.
An extension makes sense when information is incomplete, such as a late brokerage statement, an open question on a transaction, or K-1s from other entities that have not arrived. It is a poor substitute for planning, because it can push owners’ personal returns into the fall and leave estimated payments based on guesses.
Using Q1 to Build Your Year-Round Tax Plan
The best time to plan for 2027 is while 2026 is still fresh. Once the returns are filed, you have the most complete picture of your business you will have all year. We use that moment to sit down with owners and look ahead:
- Projecting 2027 income and setting estimated payments to match
- Reviewing salaries and distributions for S corporation owners
- Planning for equipment purchases, new hires, or expansion into other states
- Confirming bookkeeping processes so monthly numbers stay reliable
That rhythm is what keeps surprises out of April. At Langdon & Company, our business tax return preparation and compliance work is led by partners who stay involved all year, and our bookkeeping and accounting services keep records clean between filings.
As an independent firm in the Raleigh area, we work with business owners and executives across the Research Triangle and Eastern North Carolina. Through mid-year and year-end tax projections, we stay in touch throughout the year, not only when a deadline arrives.
Start 2027 with a Clear Tax Calendar
If you want a first quarter calendar built around your business, schedule a consultation with our team. We will map out your 2027 deadlines, confirm what needs to be ready, and help you start the year with a plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Are Fourth-Quarter 2026 Estimated Tax Payments Due?
Fourth-quarter 2026 estimated payments for individuals are due January 15, 2027. This includes S corporation shareholders and partners who make estimated payments on their share of business income.
When Are S Corporation and Partnership Returns Due in 2027?
Federal Forms 1120-S and 1065 for calendar-year businesses are due March 15, 2027, along with owners’ Schedule K-1s. North Carolina’s Form CD-401S and Form D-403 are due April 15, 2027.
Did the 1099-NEC Reporting Threshold Change?
Yes. For payments made in 2026, the threshold for most 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC reporting rose from $600 to $2,000. Some payment types keep lower thresholds, and backup withholding still triggers a filing, so review vendor payments with your CPA.
Does an Extension Give My Business More Time to Pay?
No. Form 7004 extends the time to file an S corporation or partnership return by six months, but any tax due must still be paid by the original deadline. North Carolina also charges interest on late payments during an extension.
Does North Carolina Accept a Federal Extension?
Generally, yes. North Carolina grants an automatic state extension to S corporations and partnerships that have a federal extension, as long as the business indicates the federal extension on its state return.