1. Organize Your Documents

• Income Statements: Gather W-2s, 1099s (for freelance/contract work), and any other income documentation like rental or investment income.
• Expense Records: Collect receipts and statements for deductible expenses, such as business expenses (if self-employed), medical expenses, charitable      donations, and education costs.
• Bank & Investment Records: Have 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, and 1099-B forms      ready for interest, dividends, or capital gains.
• Retirement Contributions: Track IRA, 401(k), or other retirement contributions for possible deductions.

2. Organize Business Income and Expenses (if Self-Employed)

• Ensure that all business income is recorded, and expenses are categorized for deductions. Keep records of mileage, home office expenses, and equipment purchases.
• Prepare a profit and loss statement or similar financial summaries.

At APEX Income Tax & Multiservice, we help you access your anticipated tax refund faster with Fast Cash Advance, a tax refund advance loan available during tax season. Instead of waiting weeks for the IRS to issue your refund, you may qualify for up to $7,000 in advance cash as soon as your return is filed and accepted. This optional, convenient loan gives you early access to funds — ideal for managing expenses, paying bills, or covering urgent needs before the IRS processes your refund. Loans may be issued via direct deposit, check, or a prepaid Green Dot® Visa® Card, with quick approvals and high qualification rates. Fast Cash Advance helps you reduce stress and get cash when you need it most — all supported directly through your tax preparation at APEX Income Tax. Terms apply; not all clients will qualify, and the advance amount is deducted from your eventual tax refund.

Stay compliant with Texas Sales & Use Tax filing requirements for 2026 with timely filings and accurate payments. In Texas, sales tax returns and payments are generally due by the 20th day of the month following your reporting period. Missing a due date can result in penalties, interest, and additional assessment by the Texas Comptroller’s Office. Monthly and quarterly filers should adhere to these recurring deadlines throughout 2026 to maintain compliance and avoid late-filing fees. Consult your tax professional if you need clarification on your assigned filing frequency or to set up electronic filing via the Comptroller’s Webfile system for faster processing.

If you paid $600 or more to a non-employee (like a freelancer or contractor) for services during the year, you must file Form 1099-NEC with the IRS and send a copy to the payee by January 31st. This applies to payments made in the course of your trade or business. Penalties may apply if you file late or with errors. Make sure you have a completed W-9 from each contractor before issuing the form. 

If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit (CTC) on your 2025 federal income tax return (filed in 2026), the IRS may hold your refund temporarily due to statutory processing requirements under the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act. By law, refunds that include refundable credits like the EITC and the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) cannot be issued before mid-February each tax year, even if the IRS accepts your return earlier. This means most taxpayers claiming these credits should expect a hold on their refund until at least mid-February 2026.

For the 2025 tax year filed in 2026, S Corporations (Form 1120-S) and Partnerships (Form 1065) must file their federal tax returns by March 16, 2026 (because March 15 falls on a weekend). This informational filing deadline is critical for reporting business income, deductions, and issuing Schedule K-1s to partners and shareholders. To protect your business from late-filing penalties, file IRS Form 7004 to request an automatic extension — extending your filing deadline to September 15, 2026. Note that an extension to file is not an extension to pay any tax owed; any liability must still be paid by March 16 to avoid interest and penalties.

The 2026 federal tax filing deadline for most taxpayers — including individuals (Form 1040) and C Corporations (Form 1120) — is April 15, 2026. This date applies to filing your 2025 tax return and paying any tax due to avoid penalties and interest. If you cannot complete your return by this deadline, you can request a six-month extension by filing IRS Form 4868 (individuals) or Form 7004 (businesses) by April 15, which extends your filing deadline to October 15, 2026. Keep in mind that an extension to file does not extend the time to pay taxes owed; any estimated tax liability should be paid by April 15 to avoid late-payment penalties

Stay compliant with Texas Sales & Use Tax filing requirements for 2026 with timely filings and accurate payments. In Texas, sales tax returns and payments are generally due by the 20th day of the month following your reporting period. Missing a due date can result in penalties, interest, and additional assessment by the Texas Comptroller’s Office. Monthly and quarterly filers should adhere to these recurring deadlines throughout 2026 to maintain compliance and avoid late-filing fees. Consult your tax professional if you need clarification on your assigned filing frequency or to set up electronic filing via the Comptroller’s Webfile system for faster processing.

All entities subject to the Texas Franchise Tax are required to file an annual report with the Texas Comptroller, which now includes updated ownership reporting requirements. Businesses must submit the appropriate Ownership Information Report (OIR) or Public Information Report (PIR) each year, even if no franchise tax is owed. Franchise tax is only due if the business’s total revenue exceeds the state’s “No Tax Due” reporting threshold; however, annual filing is still mandatory regardless of revenue level.

Failure to timely file the required annual franchise tax report and ownership information can result in penalties, interest, loss of good standing, and ultimately forfeiture of the LLC or corporation by the State of Texas. Entity forfeiture may prevent the business from legally operating, entering contracts, maintaining liability protection, or accessing state courts. To remain compliant and protect your business, all required reports must be filed accurately and on time, and any tax due must be paid by the deadline

Stay compliant with Texas Sales & Use Tax filing requirements for 2026 with timely filings and accurate payments. In Texas, sales tax returns and payments are generally due by the 20th day of the month following your reporting period. Missing a due date can result in penalties, interest, and additional assessment by the Texas Comptroller’s Office. Monthly and quarterly filers should adhere to these recurring deadlines throughout 2026 to maintain compliance and avoid late-filing fees. Consult your tax professional if you need clarification on your assigned filing frequency or to set up electronic filing via the Comptroller’s Webfile system for faster processing.

The extended filing deadline for S-Corporation (Form 1120-S) and Partnership (Form 1065) tax returns is September 15, 2026 for businesses that filed a valid extension using IRS Form 7004. As of September 16, 2026, any S-Corp or Partnership that has not filed is considered late and may be subject to IRS late-filing penalties, interest, and compliance issues. Penalties are typically assessed per shareholder or partner, and delayed filings may also impact the timely issuance of Schedule K-1s.

October 15, 2026 is the final extended filing deadline for taxpayers who filed a valid extension for their federal individual income tax return (Form 1040) and for C-Corporations (Form 1120). Returns not filed by this date may be subject to late-filing penalties, interest, and enforcement actions by the IRS. This deadline applies only to taxpayers who properly submitted an extension request by the original filing deadline.

Stay compliant with Texas Sales & Use Tax filing requirements for 2026 with timely filings and accurate payments. In Texas, sales tax returns and payments are generally due by the 20th day of the month following your reporting period. Missing a due date can result in penalties, interest, and additional assessment by the Texas Comptroller’s Office. Monthly and quarterly filers should adhere to these recurring deadlines throughout 2026 to maintain compliance and avoid late-filing fees. Consult your tax professional if you need clarification on your assigned filing frequency or to set up electronic filing via the Comptroller’s Webfile system for faster processing.