Check our 2026 Tax Deadlines For C-Corp Startups or Click for your customized tax compliance calendar by startup hub
In 2026, the most important tax deadlines for Atlanta companies (C-Corps), beyond the April 15th federal and state tax return deadlines, are the January 31th Annual Atlanta Business License Renewal and the August 15th City of Atlanta Property Tax. Georgia and the federal government have other important dates - see the calendar below or add the ical to your calendar.
Claim Research & Development Tax Credits on Form 941, and file annual Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) return on Form 940. Use our handy calculator to estimate your possible research and development tax credit.
Atlanta startups should send 1099s to contractors. Send W2s to employees and e-file 1099-MISC for non-employee compensation with the IRS. Or file Form 8809 for a 30-day extension to file W2s and 1099-MISC for non-employee compensation.
Delaware Annual Franchise Report filing deadline. Your Atlanta startup will pay a minimum of $400, which increases if you have significant funding.
For Atlanta startups, IRS ACA Compliance 1094-B, 1095-B, 1094-C, and 1095-C filings are due (if paper-filing, due April 1 if eFiling). File Form 8809 for a 30-day extension.
Send 1095-B and 1095-C forms to employees.
IRS 30-day automatic extension: provide Form 1095-B and Form 1095C to employees.
IRS ACA Compliance 1094-B, 1095-B, 1094-C, and 1095-C filings are due (e-file).
Annual Atlanta Business License payment due. A general business license is required of all businesses operating within the city limits of Atlanta.
Annual registration with the Secretary of State (SOS). The Georgia Secretary of State encourages companies to use the e-filing option (use the link in this deadline calendar entry).
PT-50P Tangible Personal Property Tax Return filed with county tax commissioner.
Georgia Corporate Income and Net Worth Tax - Form 600. This deadline can be extended to October 15.
C Corp Form 1120 Tax Return due. The Federal Form 1120 is the U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return, which the IRS has companies use to report their income, losses, credits, etc., and to figure the income tax liability of the corporation. Can extend the deadline to Oct. 15. All Atlanta startups are required to file this Federal form by this deadline unless they file an extension.
Federal Quarterly Estimated Tax 1st installment (first quarter 2026).
File the R&D Tax Credit Form 6765 with your tax return. Can extend to October 15. We strongly recommend working with a qualified CPA to prepare this form in conjunction with your Form 1120 if your company is going to be acquired by a major technology company, that company’s CFO will use a strong tax team to do due diligence on this.
Due date for Atlanta startup employees to make contributions to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) for 2025 (Employee Benefits).
Atlanta startups can claim Research & Development Tax Credits on Form 941.
Delaware Quarterly Estimated Franchise Tax. Pay 40% of estimated annual amount (if annual amount expected to exceed $5,000).
Federal Quarterly Estimated Tax 2nd installment (second quarter 2026).
Claim Research & Development Tax Credits on Form 941.
Delaware Quarterly Estimated Franchise Tax. Pay 20% of your estimated annual amount (if annual amount expected to exceed $5,000).
Federal Quarterly Estimated Tax 3rd installment (third quarter 2026).
Georgia Corporate Income and Net Worth Tax - Form 600 final due date if extension was filed.
C Corp Form 1120 Tax Return final due date for Atlanta startups if extension was filed.
Claim your Research & Development Tax Credits on Form 941.
Delaware Quarterly Estimated Franchise Tax, Pay 20% of estimated annual amount (if annual amount expected to exceed $5,000).
Federal Quarterly Estimated Tax 4th installment (fourth quarter 2026).
Click The Links To Learn More About These Filings And 2026 Atlanta Startup Tax Deadlines
Federal Quarterly Estimated Tax 4th installment (fourth quarter 2025).
Claim Research & Development Tax Credits on Form 941, and file annual Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) return on Form 940. Use our handy calculator to estimate your possible research and development tax credit.
Atlanta startups should send 1099s to contractors. Send W2s to employees and e-file 1099-MISC for non-employee compensation with the IRS. Or file Form 8809 for a 30-day extension to file W2s and 1099-MISC for non-employee compensation.
Annual Atlanta Business License Renewal (payment due April 1).
Delaware Annual Franchise Report filing deadline. Your Atlanta startup will pay a minimum of $400, which increases if you have significant funding.
For Atlanta startups, IRS ACA Compliance 1094-B, 1095-B, 1094-C, and 1095-C filings are due (if paper-filing, due April 1 if eFiling). File Form 8809 for a 30-day extension.
Send 1095-B and 1095-C forms to employees.
IRS 30-day automatic extension: provide Form 1095-B and Form 1095C to employees.
IRS ACA Compliance 1094-B, 1095-B, 1094-C, and 1095-C filings are due (e-file).
Annual Atlanta Business License payment due. A general business license is required of all businesses operating within the city limits of Atlanta.
Annual registration with the Secretary of State (SOS). The Georgia Secretary of State encourages companies to use the e-filing option (use the link in this deadline calendar entry).
PT-50P Tangible Personal Property Tax Return filed with county tax commissioner.
Georgia Corporate Income and Net Worth Tax - Form 600. This deadline can be extended to October 15.
C Corp Form 1120 Tax Return due. The Federal Form 1120 is the U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return, which the IRS has companies use to report their income, losses, credits, etc., and to figure the income tax liability of the corporation. Can extend the deadline to Oct. 15. All Atlanta startups are required to file this Federal form by this deadline unless they file an extension.
Federal Quarterly Estimated Tax 1st installment (first quarter 2026).
File the R&D Tax Credit Form 6765 with your tax return. Can extend to October 15. We strongly recommend working with a qualified CPA to prepare this form in conjunction with your Form 1120 if your company is going to be acquired by a major technology company, that company’s CFO will use a strong tax team to do due diligence on this.
Due date for Atlanta startup employees to make contributions to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) for 2025 (Employee Benefits).
Atlanta startups can claim Research & Development Tax Credits on Form 941.
Delaware Quarterly Estimated Franchise Tax. Pay 40% of estimated annual amount (if annual amount expected to exceed $5,000).
Federal Quarterly Estimated Tax 2nd installment (second quarter 2026).
Claim Research & Development Tax Credits on Form 941.
Delaware Quarterly Estimated Franchise Tax. Pay 20% of your estimated annual amount (if annual amount expected to exceed $5,000).
Federal Quarterly Estimated Tax 3rd installment (third quarter 2026).
Georgia Corporate Income and Net Worth Tax - Form 600 final due date if extension was filed.
C Corp Form 1120 Tax Return final due date for Atlanta startups if extension was filed.
Claim your Research & Development Tax Credits on Form 941.
Delaware Quarterly Estimated Franchise Tax, Pay 20% of estimated annual amount (if annual amount expected to exceed $5,000).
Federal Quarterly Estimated Tax 4th installment (fourth quarter 2026).
Note: 2026’s federal tax deadline is April 15. Weekend or holiday deadlines are moved to the next business day. Typically states usually follow the same calendar for state income tax returns
If your Delaware C-Corp Atlanta funded startup needs tax help contact us today!
ATLANTA, STARTUPS AND TAXES
Atlanta remains on an impressive upward trajectory as a startup and innovation hub in 2026, ranking as the 11th best U.S. startup ecosystem and among the top 30 globally. The city now hosts more than 1,200 active startups and is gaining ground in sectors like fintech, digital health, marketing tech, hardware, and software. In 2025, Atlanta startups raised over $4.5 billion in total funding, reflecting robust venture capital activity through conferences such as Venture Atlanta, which has launched more than 930 companies and enabled over $8 billion in capital raised to date.
Atlanta’s startup landscape is driven by a high volume of tech graduates from Georgia Tech and other major universities, an expanding pipeline of unicorn exits, 40 corporate innovation centers, and a host of incubators and accelerators like Atlanta Tech Village and Curiosity Lab. Ongoing investment in programs like Invest Georgia and new legislative proposals for tax incentives aim to further empower local startups, especially those owned by underrepresented founders.
Founders in Atlanta must stay compliant with local, state, and federal authorities:
The most important tax deadlines for Atlanta C-Corps in 2026 are the April 15th federal and state return filings, the annual Atlanta business license renewal, and property tax filings. Additional quarterly and business compliance deadlines are also relevant for financial planning and eligibility for local incentives.
2025 startup tax deadlines are supplied for reference purposes only, and should not be used when making decisions in 2026 or beyond. Always consult your tax professional, and see our disclaimer below.
Click The Links To Learn More About These Filings And 2025 Atlanta Startup Tax Deadlines
Claim Research & Development Tax Credits on Form 941, and file annual Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) return on Form 940. Use our handy calculator to estimate your possible research and development tax credit.
Annual Atlanta Business License Renewal (payment due April 1).
Delaware Annual Franchise Report filing deadline. Your Atlanta startup will pay a minimum of $400, which increases if you have significant funding.
IRS 30-day automatic extension: provide Form 1095-B and Form 1095C to employees.
Annual Atlanta Business License payment due. A general business license is required of all businesses operating within the city limits of Atlanta.
Annual registration with the Secretary of State (SOS). The Georgia Secretary of State encourages companies to use the e-filing option (use the link in this deadline calendar entry).
PT-50P Tangible Personal Property Tax Return filed with county tax commissioner.
Georgia Corporate Income and Net Worth Tax - Form 600. This deadline can be extended to October 15.
C Corp Form 1120 Tax Return due. The Federal Form 1120 is the U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return, which the IRS has companies use to report their income, losses, credits, etc., and to figure the income tax liability of the corporation. Can extend the deadline to Oct. 15. All Atlanta startups are required to file this Federal form by this deadline unless they file an extension.
Federal Quarterly Estimated Tax 1st installment (first quarter 2024).
File the R&D Tax Credit Form 6765 with your tax return. Can extend to October 15. We strongly recommend working with a qualified CPA to prepare this form in conjunction with your Form 1120 if you are a high-growth startup – if your company is going to be acquired by a major technology company, that company’s CFO will use a strong tax team to do due diligence on this.
Due date for Atlanta startup employees to make contributions to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) for 2023 (Employee Benefits).
Atlanta startups can claim Research & Development Tax Credits on Form 941.
Delaware Quarterly Estimated Franchise Tax. Pay 40% of estimated annual amount (if annual amount expected to exceed $5,000).
Federal Quarterly Estimated Tax 2nd installment (second quarter 2024).
Claim Research & Development Tax Credits on Form 941 .
Delaware Quarterly Estimated Franchise Tax. Pay 20% of your estimated annual amount (if annual amount expected to exceed $5,000).
Federal Quarterly Estimated Tax 3rd installment (third quarter 2024).
Georgia Corporate Income and Net Worth Tax - Form 600 final due date if extension was filed.
C Corp Form 1120 Tax Return final due date for Atlanta startups if extension was filed.
Claim your Research & Development Tax Credits on Form 941.
Delaware Quarterly Estimated Franchise Tax, Pay 20% of estimated annual amount (if annual amount expected to exceed $5,000).
Federal Quarterly Estimated Tax 4th installment (fourth quarter 2024).
View tax compliance dates for Austin, Boston, New York City, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Santa Monica, Seattle, Washington DC, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Mountain View, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, and San Jose
How Much Does a Startup Tax Return Cost? Try Kruze Consulting's Tax Preparation Pricing Tool.
How much can your startup save in payroll taxes? Estimate your R&D tax credit using our free calculator.
Every startup is different and so are its tax compliance needs. This is only a guideline. Please consult your tax professional. IRS Circular 230 Disclaimer: To ensure compliance with IRS Circular 230, any U.S. federal tax advice provided in this communication is not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used by the recipient or any other taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on the recipient or any other taxpayer. Copyright © Kruze Consulting
Check our 2026 Tax Deadlines For C-Corp Startups or Click for your customized tax compliance calendar by startup hub
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Founder & CEO, Vanessa Kruze, is a CPA, Deloitte Tax alumni, and former Controller of a 120+ FTE startup. Our Staff Accountants and Controllers come from the Big 4 and venture backed startups.
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