Melissa St. Pierre opened Honey Bee Healing Hive, Yoga and Wellness in Auburn to bring together modern psychology and the ancient practice of yoga. After years of academic and professional work in psychology and education, she found her personal wellness practice through yoga, and decided to share that experience with others. Now, she is expanding her offerings to include workplace wellness consulting alongside her growing yoga studio.Read More
Blog
2026 Federal Tax Deadlines: A Year-Round Guide to Staying on Track
The new year is here, and with it comes a fresh set of federal tax deadlines. Keeping these key dates in mind can help you avoid penalties, reduce stress, and stay compliant all year long. Below is a month-by-month reference guide to the most important federal tax deadlines for 2026.
January
January 15
- Deadline to pay 4th quarter estimated taxes for the prior tax year.
- This is an important date for freelancers, business owners, and others who make quarterly estimated payments.
February
February 2
- Deadline to send W-2s and 1099s to employees and independent contractors.
- Deadline to file W-2s/W-3s and 1099-NECs with the IRS.
- Employers and businesses should plan ahead to ensure all wage and contractor reporting is completed on time.
March
March 2
- Deadline to file paper 1099s and Form 1096 (excluding 1099-NECs).
March 16
- Deadline to file S-Corporation (Form 1120-S) and Partnership (Form 1065) tax returns.
- Deadline to elect S-Corporation status for existing corporations or LLCs.
March 31
- Deadline to electronically file 1099s and Form 1096 (excluding 1099-NECs).
April
April 15
- Deadline to file:
- Individual tax returns (Form 1040)
- C-Corporation returns (Form 1120)
- Last day to make HSA contributions and contributions to most retirement plans for the prior tax year.
- Deadline to pay 1st quarter estimated tax payments.
- This is the busiest tax deadline of the year and a critical one to plan for well in advance.
May
May 15
- Deadline to file most nonprofit tax returns (Form 990).
June
June 15
- Deadline to pay 2nd quarter estimated tax payments.
September
September 15
- Deadline to file extended S-Corporation and Partnership returns.
- Deadline to pay 3rd quarter estimated tax payments.
September 30
- Deadline to file extended trust returns.
October
October 15
- Deadline to file extended individual tax returns.
- Deadline to file extended C-Corporation returns.
November
November 16
- Deadline to file extended nonprofit returns.
Plan Ahead for a Smoother Tax Year
Tax deadlines can sneak up quickly, especially for those juggling multiple filing requirements. Mark these dates on your calendar, keep your records organized, and consider working with a tax professional to ensure everything is filed accurately and on time.
Staying proactive throughout 2026 can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress—so a little planning now can go a long way later.
Emily Carle FNP Mobile Direct Primary Care – Freeport
Emily Carle launched her mobile direct primary care practice in Freeport to reimagine healthcare delivery. With over 20 years of healthcare experience, including work as a medical missionary, EMT, ER nurse, forensic nurse, and now as a nurse practitioner, she knew she wanted to build something different. She envisioned a model rooted in authenticity, community focus, and genuine care, bringing healthcare back to what it simply is: health and care.Read More
Timber Candle Bar & Boutique – Caribou
Located on Route 1 in Caribou, Timber Candle Bar & Boutique is redefining retail in Northern Maine by blending handcrafted home fragrance products with immersive, experience-based retail.Read More
Twinkle Time Cleaning – Millinocket
Elizabeth Pio launched Twinkle Time Cleaning in Millinocket to create the kind of opportunity she once struggled to find herself. In recovery for over a decade, she overcame significant personal challenges to rebuild her life. Today, she uses that experience to support others through employment and compassionate service.Read More
The Power of Collaboration & Team Building
By: Chris Cole, Maine SBDC Business Advisor & 2025 State Star
“Success is best when it’s shared” Howard Schultz
As we wrap up the year, one consistent theme for me has been teamwork. None of us succeeds alone. Collaboration and connection make the work stronger, more sustainable, and far more impactful.
As a Maine SBDC business advisor, collaboration has been essential to my growth and ability to better serve small business owners. I benefit from having trusted colleagues to bounce ideas off, share resources, and problem-solve. Teamwork within our organization leads to broader perspectives, meaningful referrals, and more thoughtful guidance for our clients.Read More
Lynne Stewart Designs – Kennebunk
Lynne Stewart operates Lynne Stewart Designs, a custom sewing workroom based in Kennebunk that blends fine home décor craftsmanship with imaginative soft-sculpture creations. With a BFA in Textiles from the Rhode Island School of Design and over 2 decades of experience, Lynne balances her days between client commissions—cushions, pillows, and window treatments—and a line of fabric sculptures crafted from upcycled materials.Read More
Factory 3 – Portland
In 2019, Patrick Walker Russell opened Factory 3 in Portland’s Libbytown neighborhood with a bold vision: to create a makerspace that would lower the barriers to entrepreneurship for artists, artisans, and tradespeople. Located in a 4,400-square-foot warehouse on Saint James Street, Factory 3 provides tools, training, and workspace for woodworking, welding, sewing, 3D printing, and more. For a monthly fee, members gain access to specialized equipment, private studios, and a collaborative community designed to help them turn ideas into businesses.Read More
Amy Lewis Photography – Brunswick
Amy Lewis launched Amy Lewis Photography in Brunswick in 2022 after a slow and steady rollout the year prior. Her business now serves clients across Southern and Midcoast Maine, offering family portraits, senior pictures, weddings, and a growing list of commercial services such as real estate and marketing photography.Read More
Root 2 Salon – Wilton
In December 2023, Madisyn Smith lost everything when devastating floods swept through Farmington, destroying the salon where she worked as an independent contractor. The building was left with no insulation, frozen pipes, ruined floors, and a landlord unwilling to help. What had once been a dream became unsustainable. “I was so unhappy in a building that was making me bankrupt,” she said. “Everything happened for a reason.”Read More