Form 720 Due Dates 2026 -2027
What is Form 720?
Form 720, Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return, is used to report and pay certain federal excise taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Businesses that manufacture, sell, or provide services subject to federal excise taxes must file this form on a quarterly basis.
Form 720 is used to report many types of excise taxes, including taxes related to transportation services, fuels, communications services, environmental taxes, insurance premiums paid to foreign insurers, retail taxes on heavy vehicles and equipment, and ship passenger taxes. Each tax category is identified using a specific IRS number and reported in Part I or Part II of the form.
When is Form 720 Due?
Form 720 is generally filed quarterly, and the return must be submitted to the IRS by the last day of the month following the end of each quarter. Businesses must report the federal excise taxes collected during the quarter and submit any tax due by the applicable deadline.
General Form 720 Quarterly Filing Deadlines
| Quarter | Tax Period Covered | Form 720 Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | January 1 – March 31 | April 30 |
| Q2 | April 1 – June 30 | July 31 |
| Q3 | July 1 – September 30 | October 31 |
| Q4 | October 1 – December 31 | January 31 (following year) |
The above table shows the standard filing deadlines for most excise tax categories reported on Form 720.
Note: If a Form 720 filing deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a federal holiday, the due date is automatically extended to the next business day, according to IRS filing rules.
Form 720 Due Dates in 2026-2027
| Quarter | Tax Period Covered | Form 720 Due Date | Due Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | January 1 – March 31 | April 30, 2026 | Thursday |
| Q2 | April 1 – June 30 | July 31, 2026 | Friday |
| Q3 | July 1 – September 30 | November 2, 2026 | Monday |
| Q4 | October 1 – December 31 | February 1, 2027 | Monday |
However, some tax categories have special filing deadlines or different payment schedules.
Special Due Dates for Certain Form 720 Taxes
PCORI Fee (IRS No. 133)
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee is reported annually on Form 720. For plan years ending in 2025, the PCORI fee must be filed by July 31, 2026.
Floor Stocks Tax (IRS No. 20)
Certain floor stocks taxes reported on Form 720 must also be filed by July 31 of the applicable year, depending on the tax law triggering the floor stock requirement.
Semi-Monthly Deposit Requirements for Certain Excise Taxes
Certain excise taxes reported in Part I of Form 720 may require semi-monthly deposits if the tax liability exceeds $2,500 for the quarter. These deposits must be made through EFTPS during two periods each month: 1st–15th and 16th–end of the month.
Even though deposits may be required semi-monthly, Form 720 is still filed quarterly to report the total excise tax liability. Businesses should refer to the IRS Form 720 instructions to determine the exact deposit rules for their tax category.
5 Consequences of Missing the Form 720 Due Dates
Missing the filing or payment deadline for Form 720 can result in penalties, interest charges, and additional IRS compliance actions. Businesses should file and pay their excise taxes on time to avoid the following consequences:
- Failure-to-File Penalty If Form 720 is not filed by the due date, the IRS may charge a penalty of 5% of the unpaid tax per month, up to a maximum of 25% of the total unpaid tax.
- Failure-to-Pay Penalty If the excise tax due is not paid by the deadline, the IRS may impose a penalty of 0.5% of the unpaid tax per month, which can increase to 25% of the unpaid amount if the tax remains unpaid.
- Interest on Unpaid Taxes The IRS charges interest on unpaid excise taxes from the original due date until the tax is fully paid. The interest rate is determined quarterly by the IRS.
- Additional Compliance Notices The IRS may send notices requesting payment, clarification, or corrections if a return is missing, late, or contains errors.
- Increased Risk of IRS Enforcement Actions Continued failure to file or pay required excise taxes may lead to collection actions such as penalties, liens, or other enforcement measures.
How to Avoid Form 720 Penalties
File Form 720 Before the Deadline Submit your Form 720 by the quarterly due date to avoid the IRS failure-to-file penalty, which can increase if the return remains unfiled.
Pay Excise Taxes on Time Ensure the full tax amount is paid by the due date to avoid failure-to-pay penalties and interest on the unpaid balance.
Make Required Deposits Through EFTPS If your excise tax liability requires semi-monthly deposits, make them on time using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) .
Maintain Proper Business Records Keep accurate records of taxable activities such as fuel sales, transportation services, or other excise-taxable transactions to report the correct tax amount.
File Electronically Through an IRS-Authorized Provider E-filing Form 720 through an IRS-authorized provider like QuickFile720 helps reduce errors, ensures faster submission, and keeps your excise tax filings compliant with IRS requirements.
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