Federal payroll tax deposit schedules: monthly, semiweekly and next-day
Last updated · Reviewed for accuracy against IRS.gov guidance
Your federal payroll deposit schedule depends on your lookback period. If reported Form 941 tax for the four quarters ending the prior June 30 was $50,000 or less, you deposit monthly; above that, semiweekly. Any day's liability of $100,000 or more must be deposited the next business day. Wrong schedules cause most deposit penalties.
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The lookback period
For quarterly (Form 941) filers, the lookback period for a calendar year is the four quarters from July 1 two years back through June 30 of the prior year. The IRS adds up the tax reported for those quarters:
- $50,000 or less — monthly depositor.
- More than $50,000 — semiweekly depositor.
The IRS sends CP136 when your schedule may change. New employers are monthly depositors in their first year unless the $100,000 rule applies. Annual Form 944 filers use the year before the prior year.
Due dates by schedule
- Monthly: taxes on wages paid during a month are due by the 15th of the next month.
- Semiweekly: wages paid Wednesday, Thursday or Friday → deposit by the following Wednesday. Wages paid Saturday through Tuesday → deposit by the following Friday.
- Next-day rule: once accumulated undeposited liability reaches $100,000 on any day, deposit by the next business day — and a monthly depositor becomes semiweekly for the rest of that year and the next.
Deadlines falling on weekends or legal holidays move to the next business day.
The small-employer exception
If your total liability for a quarter is less than $2,500 (and you didn't trigger the next-day rule during the quarter), you can pay with a timely filed Form 941 instead of making deposits. Employers that think they qualify should check carefully; if the liability ends up at $2,500 or more, deposits were required and penalties can apply.
How to deposit
Federal tax deposits must be made electronically, generally through EFTPS or a same-day wire. Paying by check with the return when deposits were required can draw the 10% tier of the failure-to-deposit penalty. If a payroll provider deposits for you, enroll in EFTPS yourself so you can confirm deposits post — see payroll provider failures.
Already behind?
If you missed deposits, make the current period's deposit on time first, then address the older balance. Report the correct liability schedule on Form 941 line 16 or Schedule B — an incorrect schedule leads to CP207 and averaged penalties. Then see the payroll tax payment plan options or run the business assessment.
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Start the calculatorFrequently asked questions
Does my deposit schedule depend on how often I pay employees?
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No. It depends on the lookback-period liability, not your payroll frequency.
Can I choose to deposit semiweekly?
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You must follow the schedule the rules assign. Depositing early is always allowed.
What if I switch payroll providers mid-year?
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Your deposit schedule stays the same; it's tied to your EIN's lookback period.
Do state withholding deposits follow the same schedule?
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No. Each state sets its own withholding deposit frequencies.
Where do I report my liability by payday?
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Semiweekly depositors use Schedule B with Form 941; monthly depositors report monthly totals on line 16.
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Sources
IRS figures on this page (rates, fees, thresholds) verified as of 2026-11-04. See our editorial policy.
TaxSettlementCalculator.com is not a tax firm, law firm, CPA, or government agency and is not affiliated with the IRS or any state tax agency. Estimates are for educational purposes only and are not tax, legal, or financial advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances, and no outcome is guaranteed. We connect users with independent tax relief professionals.