Compliance Calendar for Startups and Founders
This calendar lists federal deadlines that commonly affect startups and their founders. Dates follow standard schedules and move to the next business day when they fall on a weekend or holiday. State filings, including franchise taxes and state payroll accounts, vary by state and are not included. Confirm each date on irs.gov.
| Due date | What is due | Who it usually applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Within 30 days of a restricted stock grant | Section 83(b) election (filed with the IRS) | Founders and employees receiving unvested stock. This deadline cannot be extended |
| Apr 15, 2026 (passed) | C corporation return (Form 1120) for 2025, unless extended | C corporations on a calendar year |
| Apr 30, 2027, Jul 31, 2027, Oct 31, 2027, Jan 31, 2028 | Quarterly payroll return (Form 941) and deposits, per the employer's deposit schedule | Employers with W-2 employees, including equity-related withholding |
| Jan 31, 2027 | Forms W-2 and W-3; Forms 1099-NEC for contractors paid in 2026 | Startups with employees and paid contractors |
| Mar 15, 2027 | S corporation return (Form 1120-S) and partnership return (Form 1065) for 2026, if the entity is one of those types | Entities taxed as S corporations or partnerships |
| Apr 15, 2027 | C corporation return (Form 1120) for 2026, unless extended; individual return for founders, including any AMT from ISO exercises | C corporations; founders and employees |
| Oct 15, 2027 | Extended C corporation return for 2026 | C corporations on extension |
Ongoing items
- 409A valuation refresh: after each material event, such as a funding round, and at least annually. Not a government deadline, but required to keep option pricing defensible.
- Section 1202 records: keep the issue date, amount paid and gross asset figure for each issuance.
- Section 174A records: track domestic research costs by project and year.
- State franchise and annual report deadlines: many states, including Delaware for Delaware corporations, have annual deadlines. Check each state where you are registered.
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This calendar is a general guide. It does not replace official IRS guidance, state requirements or advice from a qualified professional. Verify every date before relying on it.