July 2026 Tax Deadlines for California Businesses

Summer in California brings warmer weather and a fresh batch of tax compliance deadlines. Now that we are officially in the second half of 2026, it is the perfect time for a mid-year check-in. For business owners and employers, July is packed with essential due dates for payroll, unemployment taxes, and employee benefit plans.

At Christiansen Accounting, our team works closely with local businesses to ensure these milestones do not become mid-summer emergencies. Missing a deadline can trigger unnecessary penalties, so let us walk through the key dates you need to mark on your calendar this month.

Early-to-Mid July: Pension Prep and Payroll Deposits

While the end of the month carries the heaviest compliance load, the first couple of weeks require your attention, especially if you sponsor employee benefit plans or run regular payroll.

July 1 – Action Required for Pension Plans

If your business maintains a pension or profit-sharing plan, you are likely required to file Form 5500 or 5500-EZ for the 2025 calendar year. Technically, the hard deadline is the end of the month, but July 1 is when we highly recommend contacting our office to verify your filing requirements. Gathering the necessary plan data and participant counts takes time, and jumping on it early prevents a late-month scramble.

July 15 – Monthly Deposit Deadlines

For employers adhering to the monthly deposit rule, July 15 is the deadline to deposit Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income tax for payments made in June. This exact same deadline applies to nonpayroll withholding. Staying current with these monthly deposits is critical for avoiding costly IRS failure-to-deposit penalties.

Business owner reviewing tax documents on a laptop

July 31: Quarter Two Filings and FUTA

The last day of the month is a major compliance hurdle for employers. This is when your second-quarter payroll data gets reported, and any undeposited taxes come due.

Form 941 and Undeposited Taxes

All employers must file Form 941 for the second quarter of 2026 by July 31. You must also deposit or pay any undeposited tax under the accuracy of deposit rules. If your total tax liability is under $2,500, you have the option to pay it in full with a timely filed return.

Note: If you have already deposited your tax for the quarter in full and on time, the IRS grants you an automatic extension until August 10 to file the actual return. We also monitor certain small employers who might have a tax liability of $2,500 or more for the year but less than $2,500 for the second quarter—your undeposited tax is also due on this July 31 date.

Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)

Do not overlook federal unemployment taxes. If your FUTA tax owed through June exceeds $500, you are required to make a deposit by July 31.

Final Deadline for Employee Benefit Plans

For all employers and self-employed individuals maintaining an employee benefit plan (such as a profit-sharing or stock bonus plan), July 31 serves as the final due date to file Form 5500 or 5500-EZ for the 2025 calendar year. If your plan operates on a fiscal year rather than a calendar year, your deadline shifts to the last day of the seventh month after your plan year ends.

Managing Weekend Rules and Disaster Extensions

Tax deadlines can sometimes shift due to calendar quirks or unforeseen circumstances. It helps to know the basic rules so you are not caught off guard.

Whenever a standard tax due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the IRS automatically extends the deadline to the next business day that is not a legal holiday.

Furthermore, living and working in California means we occasionally face disruptions like wildfires or severe storms. When a geographical location is federally designated as a disaster area, the IRS typically grants extended due dates to provide relief to affected businesses. If you suspect your business falls into one of these zones, you can verify disaster declarations and extension dates through these official resources:

Keep Your Business Compliant This Summer

Balancing daily operations, managing a team, and staying ahead of federal tax obligations is a heavy lift for any small business owner. Missing a payroll deposit or a Form 941 filing can trigger penalties that cut directly into your cash flow.

You do not have to manage these mid-year compliance hurdles alone. The team at Christiansen Accounting is here to help you navigate payroll taxes, benefit plan filings, and quarter-end reporting. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation, and let us make sure your business is in perfect standing for the rest of 2026.

Share this article...

Want tax & accounting tips and insights?

Sign up for our newsletter.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .