The October 15th Tax Deadline Is Almost Here

If you filed a tax extension, your federal return is due October 15. An extension gives you more time to file, not more time to pay, so any balance due has been building interest since April. Here’s how to finish strong.

By Richard James, Enrolled Agent | James Family Tax

It’s That Time of Year! The October 15 Tax Deadline Is Almost Here

October is almost here, and while you may be thinking about cooler weather, football, fall festivals, and pumpkin everything, there is one important date we don’t want our Tax Family to forget:

October 15, 2026.

If you filed an extension for your 2025 individual tax return, October 15 is generally your deadline to file your federal income tax return.

At James Family Tax, we know taxes can easily get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. Life happens. Businesses get busy. Documents take time to gather. And sometimes, you simply need a little more time to get everything together.

That’s exactly why extensions exist.

But now that October 15 is approaching, it’s time to get those returns across the finish line.

First Things First: An Extension Was an Extension to File, Not to Pay

This is one of the most important things to understand about a tax extension.

Filing an extension gave taxpayers additional time to file their tax return, but it did not provide additional time to pay taxes that were due.

For most individual taxpayers, 2025 federal income taxes were due April 15, 2026. If you have a balance due, penalties and interest may have continued to accumulate after the original payment deadline.

That doesn’t mean you should avoid filing.

In fact, if you’re worried that you may owe, getting your return completed can help you understand exactly where you stand and what your next steps may be.

Clarity is always better than avoiding the unknown.

What Should You Be Doing Right Now?

If James Family Tax filed an extension for you, now is the time to make sure we have everything needed to complete your return.

Take a few minutes to review your tax documents and ask yourself:

Have I uploaded all of my W-2s and 1099s?
Do I have all of my business income and expense information?
Is my bookkeeping complete?
If I own a business, is my Profit & Loss Statement ready?
Did I buy or sell a home?
Did I purchase or sell a rental property?
Did I receive any additional tax forms after April?
Did I have any major life changes during 2025?
Have I responded to any open requests from my tax professional?

Missing information can slow down the preparation of your return, especially as we get closer to the deadline.

The earlier you send us what we need, the better.

Business Owners: Don’t Forget Your Financials

If you own a small business, your tax return may require more than a few tax forms.

Your bookkeeping and financial records help tell the story of your business.

Depending on your situation, we may need items such as your:

Profit & Loss Statement Balance Sheet Business income records Business expense information Mileage records Home office information Asset or equipment purchases Payroll information Prior-year information or other supporting documents

Accurate information helps us prepare an accurate return.

And remember: tax preparation is a team effort. Your tax professional can only work with the information you provide.

That’s why we always say:

Taxes Take Teamwork.

Don’t Wait Until October 14

We love a deadline—but we love being prepared even more.

Waiting until the last minute can create unnecessary stress for you and for your tax team. The closer we get to October 15, the more important it becomes to have your documents uploaded, questions answered, and outstanding items completed.

If you know something is missing, start working on it now.

If you aren’t sure what we’re waiting on, reach out.

If you haven’t started the process, don’t keep putting it off.

Our goal is to help you move forward with Care, Clarity, and Confidence. And get your taxes filed by the October 15th deadline date.

What If I Still Can’t Pay What I Owe?

One reason taxpayers sometimes avoid filing is because they are afraid they may owe money.

Remember: filing your tax return and paying your tax balance are two different things.

The IRS offers payment options for taxpayers who cannot pay their entire balance at once. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to explore a payment plan or other options.

The important thing is not to ignore the situation.

Knowing the numbers gives you the ability to make a plan.

Let’s Finish 2025 Strong

October 15 isn’t just another date on the calendar. For most taxpayers who timely filed an extension, it is the final federal filing deadline for their 2025 individual income tax return.

If you’re still working on your return, now is the time to take action.

Schedule your tax appointment today!

At James Family Tax, we’re proud to serve individuals, families, therapists, counselors, and small-business owners throughout San Antonio, Schertz, and the surrounding communities.

As a local San Antonio tax preparer and Schertz tax preparer, our goal is to make taxes feel less overwhelming by providing the Care, Clarity, and Confidence our Tax Family deserves.

And we’re especially grateful to our community for voting James Family Tax Best Tax Service in San Antonio four years in a row!

Whether you’re looking for tax preparation in San Antonio, small-business tax services, a local tax professional, or a tax preparer near you, our team is here to help.

Because at James Family Tax, you don’t have to figure taxes out alone.

Taxes Take Teamwork.

October 15 is coming. Let’s get it done together.

How James Family Tax Can Help

Want a professional to handle your return? Our Tax Family is here year-round at our San Antonio and Schertz offices.

Book an appointment at our San Antonio or Schertz office, or call (210) 864-1788.