Most businesses are used to a January 31 deadline for furnishing key tax forms to workers and filing them with the federal government. However, in 2026, January 31 falls on a Saturday. As a result, the deadline moves to the next business day — Monday, February 2, 2026, which also happens to be Groundhog Day.
If your business issues W-2s or 1099s, now is the time to make sure everything is prepared and submitted on time.
W-2 Forms for Employees
By February 2, 2026, employers must furnish and/or file the following 2025 forms:
Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement
Form W-2 reports each employee’s annual wages and the taxes withheld. Employers must provide copies to employees and file them with the Social Security Administration (SSA). The IRS emphasizes that accurate and timely filing is critical because employees’ Social Security and Medicare benefits are calculated using information reported on Form W-2.
Form W-3, Transmittal of Wage and Tax Statements
Any employer required to file Form W-2 must also submit Form W-3. This transmittal form summarizes all W-2 information and is filed with the SSA along with Copy A of each W-2. The totals reported on Form W-3 should match amounts reported on applicable employment tax forms, such as Forms 941, 943, 944, or Schedule H.
1099-NEC Forms for Independent Contractors
The February 2 deadline also applies to Form 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation. Generally, this form must be furnished to independent contractors and filed with the IRS if all of the following apply:
- The payment was made to someone who is not your employee
- The payment was for services performed in your trade or business
- The payment was made to an individual, partnership, estate, or, in some cases, a corporation
- Total payments to the recipient were $600 or more during the year
You may have heard that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in 2025, raised the reporting threshold to $2,000. While that is true, the change applies only to payments made in 2026 and later. Those payments will be reported on 2026 Forms 1099-NEC, which will be furnished and filed in early 2027. Beginning in 2027, the threshold will also be adjusted annually for inflation.
Other Information Returns to Watch
Depending on your business activities, you may also need to furnish Form 1099-MISC to recipients who were paid for items such as rent, medical and healthcare payments, prizes and awards, or attorney’s fees.
The deadline to furnish Form 1099-MISC to recipients is February 2, 2026.
Deadlines for filing these forms with the IRS depend on how they are submitted:
- Paper filing: March 2, 2026 (since February 28 falls on a Saturday)
- Electronic filing: March 31, 2026
Furnish and File on Time
When the IRS requires you to “furnish” a form, you may deliver it in person, send it electronically, or mail it via first-class mail to the recipient’s last known address. If mailing 2025 Forms W-2 or 1099-NEC, the forms must be postmarked by February 2, 2026.
Missing deadlines or submitting incorrect information can result in penalties. Don’t let the Groundhog Day deadline cast a shadow over tax season. If you have questions about Forms W-2, 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC, or filing requirements, professional guidance can help ensure your business stays compliant.
© 2026