You’ve probably got the federal tax deadline of April 15 etched into your brain like a recurring bad dream. It’s the universal "Tax Day" we all see on the news, right? Well, if you live in the Commonwealth, things are a little different. Honestly, if you try to finish your Virginia state return on the same night you’re scrambling to get your federal 1040 to the IRS, you might be stressing for no reason—or worse, missing a deadline you didn't even know existed.
In Virginia, the calendar doesn't always play by the national rules.
While the IRS wants your money by mid-April, the Virginia Department of Taxation (Virginia Tax) usually gives you a bit of breathing room. But that room comes with a few "gotchas" that can lead to penalties if you aren't paying attention.
The Magic Date: May 1
Basically, for most people, when are taxes due in virginia comes down to one date: May 1.
Unlike the federal government, which stickily adheres to April 15, Virginia has long maintained a May 1 deadline for individual income tax returns. It’s a nice little two-week cushion. If May 1 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday, the deadline simply pushes to the next business day.
For the 2026 tax season (covering the 2025 tax year), May 1 falls on a Friday. That means no weekend extensions for you this time around. Your return must be postmarked or filed electronically by midnight on May 1, 2026.
It's worth noting that if you’re a fiscal year filer—meaning your "year" doesn't end on December 31—your return is due on the 15th day of the 4th month after your fiscal year ends. But let’s be real, that’s mostly a business thing. For 99% of us, May 1 is the finish line.
The "Automatic" Extension Trap
Virginia is actually pretty chill about extensions. You don’t even have to fill out a form to get one. You get an automatic six-month extension to file your return, which moves your filing deadline from May 1 to November 1.
Wait. Don't close this tab yet.
There is a massive distinction between an extension to file and an extension to pay.
If you owe the state money, that payment is still due on May 1. If you wait until November to pay what you owed back in May, the state is going to hit you with interest and likely an extension penalty. To avoid this, you’re supposed to use Form 760IP (the Automatic Extension Payment Voucher) to send in at least 90% of your tax liability by the May 1 deadline.
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I’ve seen plenty of people think "automatic extension" means "I can deal with this in the fall." It doesn't. It just means the state won't fine you for a late paperwork submission as long as they already have your money.
Quarterly Estimated Payments: The 2026 Schedule
If you're a freelancer, a small business owner, or someone with a side hustle in places like Richmond or Virginia Beach, you probably don't just pay once a year. You’re likely on the hook for estimated taxes.
The schedule for these is a bit rhythmic but easy to miss if you aren't a calendar person. For the 2026 calendar year, the due dates for Virginia estimated tax payments are:
- May 1, 2026 (1st Period)
- June 15, 2026 (2nd Period)
- September 15, 2026 (3rd Period)
- January 15, 2027 (4th Period)
Notice how the first payment aligns with the annual tax deadline? That's a heavy day for the wallet. If you’re a farmer or a fisherman, the rules change slightly. You usually only have to make one payment by January 15, or you can skip the estimated payments entirely if you file your whole return and pay in full by March 1.
What if You're Living Abroad?
Life happens. Maybe you’re stationed overseas with the military or you're just taking a very long sabbatical in Italy. If you are outside the United States or Puerto Rico on May 1, Virginia gives you an automatic extension to July 1 to file your return.
You still have to pay the estimated tax by May 1, though. You should also attach a statement to your return when you eventually file it, explaining that you were out of the country.
Penalties and the Cost of Procrastination
Virginia Tax is generally helpful, but they aren't a charity. If you miss the May 1 deadline without having paid at least 90% of your tax, the penalties start ticking.
- Late Filing Penalty: This is 5% of the tax due for each month (or part of a month) the return is late. It caps out at 25%.
- Extension Penalty: If you file within the extension period but didn't pay 90% by May 1, you'll see a penalty of 2% per month on the unpaid balance.
- Interest: Currently, Virginia charges interest on any unpaid tax from the due date until the day you pay it. The rate is the federal underpayment rate plus 2%.
If you find yourself in a spot where you simply can't pay, file anyway. The penalty for not filing is often worse than the penalty for not paying. By filing on time, you at least stop the "late filing" clock from spinning.
Where is My Refund?
Once you’ve hit "submit" or dropped that envelope in the mail, the waiting game begins. Most people want to know how long it takes to get that money back.
According to Virginia Tax, if you file electronically, you’re looking at about up to 4 weeks. If you are one of the few still using paper forms and a stamp, be prepared to wait 8 weeks or longer.
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If you filed before February 3, they usually don't even start looking at them in depth until early February, so don't panic if your late-January filing hasn't moved for a few weeks. You can check your status on the "Where's my Refund?" page on the Virginia Tax website using your Social Security number and the exact refund amount you're expecting.
How to Handle the Paperwork
You’ve got a few options for actually getting the job done.
Most Virginians (nearly 90%) now file electronically. You can use commercial software like TurboTax or H&R Block, but Virginia also offers a "Free File" system for those who meet certain income requirements. If you’re more of a pen-and-paper person, you’ll be looking for Form 760, which is the standard resident individual income tax return.
If you’ve moved in or out of the state during the year, you’ll need Form 760PY (Part-Year Resident). And if you live in Maryland or D.C. but work in Virginia, you might not owe Virginia tax at all thanks to reciprocity agreements, but you’ll still need to file Form 763-S to get any withheld money back.
Immediate Next Steps for You
- Check your calendar: Mark May 1, 2026, as the "No-Fail" date for both your 2025 return and your first 2026 estimated payment.
- Gather your forms: Make sure you have your W-2s from your employer and any 1099s if you did contract work. Virginia employers were required to send these out by February 2, 2026.
- Calculate your 90%: If you know you're going to file for an extension, look at your total tax liability. If you haven't paid at least 90% through withholding or estimated payments, send in a payment with Form 760IP before May 1 to kill the penalty before it starts.
- Check your bank info: If you’re expecting a refund, double-check your routing number. A single typo turns a 4-week direct deposit into a 10-week paper check saga.