The New Med Spa Tax Calendar: Every Deadline You Cannot Miss

2026-08-21

A practical 2026 tax deadline calendar for new med spa owners, covering quarterly estimates, payroll, 1099s, and more.

Running a med spa means juggling treatments, clients, and staff, but the business side, especially taxes, can sink you if you miss a deadline. The IRS doesn’t care that you’re new. This guide lays out every tax deadline you cannot miss in 2026, with concrete dates and steps you can take this week to stay compliant.

Q1 Deadlines: January 15, January 31, February 28, March 15, April 15

January 15, 2026: Q4 estimated tax payment due. If you’re a sole proprietor, LLC, or S-corp owner, you must pay your fourth quarter estimated tax for 2025. Use Form 1040-ES. Underpay? You’ll face penalties starting at 0.5% of the unpaid amount per month.

January 31, 2026: W-2 and 1099-NEC filing deadline. Send W-2s to employees and 1099-NECs to independent contractors (like aestheticians you hired as 1099s). Also file these with the IRS. Late filings cost $60 per form if within 30 days, up to $310 per form after August 1.

February 28, 2026: 1099-NEC paper filing deadline. If you file paper 1099s, this is the last day. E-filing gives you until March 31.

March 15, 2026: S-corp and partnership tax returns due. If your med spa is an S-corp (common for liability protection), file Form 1120-S. Partnerships file Form 1065. Need an extension? File Form 7004 by this date, but it only extends the filing, not any tax due.

April 15, 2026: Individual tax return and Q1 estimated payment. File your personal return (Form 1040) and pay your first quarter 2026 estimated tax. If you’re a sole proprietor, this is your main deadline. Also, if you have a retirement plan (SEP IRA), you can contribute up to $70,000 for 2025 if you file an extension.

Q2 Deadlines: June 15 and the Payroll Trap

June 15, 2026: Q2 estimated tax payment due. For S-corp owners, this covers your salary withholding shortfall. If you’re a partnership, it’s your partner tax. Miss it, and the underpayment penalty clock starts.

Payroll tax deposits: Every month or semi-weekly. If you have employees, you must deposit payroll taxes (federal income, Social Security, Medicare) using the IRS Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS). Monthly depositors pay by the 15th of the following month. Semi-weekly depositors pay within 3 banking days after payday. Late deposits trigger penalties up to 15% of the unpaid amount.

Q3 Deadlines: September 15 and the 1099 Reminder

September 15, 2026: Q3 estimated tax payment due. Also the deadline for S-corp and partnership returns if you filed for an extension in March. Don’t skip this; you’ll owe interest on late payments.

September 30, 2026: Start collecting W-9s. While not a filing deadline, you need W-9s from all independent contractors before you pay them for the year. If you haven’t, do it now. You’ll need them for January 31, 2027 1099s.

Q4 Deadlines: December 15 and Year-End Moves

December 15, 2026: Q4 estimated tax payment due. This is your last chance to avoid underpayment penalties for 2026. If your income spiked, consider increasing this payment to cover the safe harbor rule: pay at least 100% of last year’s tax (110% if your AGI was over $150,000) to avoid penalties.

December 31, 2026: Last day for tax-saving moves. Buy equipment (lasers, injectables) to claim Section 179 depreciation. Contribute to a SEP IRA. Prepay business expenses like rent or supplies. These reduce your 2026 taxable income.

State and Local Deadlines: Don’t Forget These

Every state has its own deadlines. For example, California requires quarterly estimated payments for LLCs, and New York has a franchise tax due March 15. Check your state’s revenue department website. Also, if you collect sales tax on retail products (like skincare), you’ll file monthly or quarterly, depending on your state. Late sales tax filings carry penalties up to 10% of the tax due.

How to Build Your Tax Calendar This Week

List your entity type. Sole prop, LLC, S-corp? This determines which forms you file.
Mark the federal dates above in your calendar (Google Calendar, paper, whatever). Set reminders 2 weeks before each.
Set up EFTPS for payroll and estimated payments. It takes 5 minutes, but you need an activation code mailed to you, so do it now.
Hire a CPA who works with med spas. They’ll handle state specifics and catch deductions you’ll miss. Expect $300-$500 per month for bookkeeping and tax prep.
Open a separate business bank account and use it for all expenses. This makes tax time a breeze.

FAQ

Q: What if I miss a deadline? A: File and pay as soon as possible. Penalties and interest accrue daily, but the IRS offers penalty relief for first-time filers if you have a clean record. Call the IRS or use Form 843.

Q: Do I need to pay estimated taxes if I’m an S-corp? A: Yes, if you have a salary, you should withhold taxes from your paycheck. But if your salary withholding isn’t enough, you’ll need to make estimated payments. Your CPA can calculate this.

Q: Can I deduct my med spa equipment purchases? A: Yes, under Section 179, you can deduct up to $1,220,000 for 2026 (subject to phase-out). This includes lasers, injectable storage, and even software. Bonus depreciation is 80% for 2026, so you can write off most of the cost immediately.

Q: What’s the penalty for late 1099s? A: $60 per form if filed within 30 days, $120 if filed after 30 days but by August 1, and $310 if filed after August 1. Intentional disregard raises the penalty to $630 per form.

The bottom line

Missing a tax deadline costs you money and stress. Use this calendar as your starting point, but verify with a tax professional, because your specific situation may vary. This week, set up EFTPS, mark your calendar, and schedule a consultation with a CPA. Your future self will thank you.

Remember: The IRS doesn’t extend deadlines for new businesses. Stay ahead, and your med spa will thrive without tax surprises.