Form 720 Due Dates & Deadlines
Know when your Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return is due. Stay compliant and avoid costly penalties.
Quick Answer
Form 720 is due quarterly: April 30, July 31, October 31, and January 31. Each return covers the preceding three-month period. If the due date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.
2026 Quarterly Filing Deadlines
| Quarter | Tax Period | Due Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | January 1 - March 31, 2026 | April 30, 2026 | Thursday — no adjustment needed |
| Q2 | April 1 - June 30, 2026 | July 31, 2026 | Friday — no adjustment needed |
| Q3 | July 1 - September 30, 2026 | October 31, 2026 | Saturday — deadline moves to Monday, November 2, 2026 |
| Q4 | October 1 - December 31, 2026 | January 31, 2027 | Sunday — deadline moves to Monday, February 1, 2027 |
If a due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the deadline is the next business day.
Semi-Monthly Deposit Requirements
If your net excise tax liability exceeds $2,500 for any quarter, you are required to make semi-monthly deposits using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS). Deposit periods and due dates are:
| Period | Covers | Deposit Due |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semi-monthly | 1st - 15th of the month | By the last day of the month |
| 2nd semi-monthly | 16th - last day of the month | By the 15th of the following month |
Semi-monthly deposits are reported on Schedule A of Form 720. File720Online calculates your Schedule A requirements automatically based on your tax liability.
Late Filing Penalties
Filing Form 720 after the deadline can result in significant penalties and interest charges:
Failure to File
5%
Of unpaid tax per month or part of a month the return is late. Maximum penalty is 25% of the unpaid tax amount.
Failure to Pay
0.5%
Of unpaid tax per month or part of a month the tax remains unpaid. Maximum penalty is 25% of the unpaid balance.
Interest
Varies
Interest accrues on unpaid taxes from the original due date at the federal short-term rate plus 3%. Compounded daily.
Avoid penalties: E-filing with File720Online ensures your return is submitted on time with instant IRS confirmation. Set up your filing before the deadline and submit in minutes.
Extensions & Form 8849
Unlike income tax returns, there is no automatic extension available for Form 720. The IRS expects quarterly excise tax returns to be filed by the stated deadlines. However, if you have reasonable cause for a late filing, you may request penalty relief by attaching an explanation to your return.
For excise tax refund claims, use Form 8849 (Claim for Refund of Excise Taxes) rather than Form 720. Form 8849 has its own schedules and filing deadlines, and is used to recover overpaid excise taxes or claim credits for nontaxable uses of fuel and other eligible items.
Note that Schedule C of Form 720 can also be used to claim certain credits and adjustments directly on your quarterly return. File720Online supports both Schedule C claims and helps you determine whether Form 8849 is the appropriate filing for your refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Form 720 due?
Form 720 is due quarterly by the last day of the month following the end of each quarter: April 30 (Q1), July 31 (Q2), October 31 (Q3), and January 31 (Q4). If the due date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.
What happens if I file Form 720 late?
Late filing results in two penalties: a failure-to-file penalty of 5% of unpaid tax per month (up to 25%), and a failure-to-pay penalty of 0.5% of unpaid tax per month (up to 25%). Interest also accrues on the unpaid balance from the original due date at the federal short-term rate plus 3%.
Can I get an extension to file Form 720?
There is no automatic extension for Form 720. However, if you have a reasonable cause for filing late, you may request relief from penalties by attaching an explanation to your return. For refund claims, Form 8849 (Claim for Refund of Excise Taxes) has its own filing deadlines separate from Form 720.
Do I still need to file Form 720 if I have no tax liability for the quarter?
Generally, you do not need to file Form 720 for a quarter in which you have no excise tax liability, unless you need to report a zero balance or claim credits on Schedule C. If you previously filed and your liability has ended, you should file a final return and check the "Final Return" box.
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