Mark your calendar.
Staying on top of deadlines is a crucial part of managing your money. Read on for the key money dates to watch out for each year.
January 1
Thinking of boosting your retirement savings? This day is the first to fund traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs and SEP IRAs (for self-employed individuals and small business owners) for the current year.
April 15
Happy Tax Day! April 15 is typically the deadline to file the prior year’s taxes. If Tax Day falls on a holiday, then deadlines are bumped to the next business day.
April 15
Want to boost your savings for the prior year? Today is the last date to fund the previous year’s traditional or Roth IRAs. IRAs for small business owners must be funded by the employer’s tax filing deadline, which may include an extension.
April 15
Take advantage of the last day to fund a health savings account, also called an HSA, for the prior year.
June 30
If you or your child is headed to college this year, mark down June 30 as the last day to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Without this form, students can’t access federal student loans and grants.
October 1
Future students, take note. Today is the first day to file the FAFSA for college financial aid. This is earlier than in previous years, thanks to the new Prior-Prior Year FAFSA filing guidelines, which aim to give families more time to complete the form.
October 15
Did you file for an extension at tax time? Today’s the new deadline to file your return if an extension was filed earlier this year.
October 15
If you filed for an extension on your taxes, today is the last day to contribute to a SEP IRA for self-employed people and small business owners.
October 1 to November 1
Keep an eye out for your employer announcing its open enrollment period to change your benefits for the upcoming year.
November 1 to January 31
This is the annual period during which people can enroll in a new health insurance plan through Healthcare.gov.
December 31
The end of the year marks the deadline to take required minimum distributions for your IRA, 401(k) and inherited IRAs.
Three times per year
Set up a reminder once every four months or so to check your credit report for any errors or surprises, says Kathleen Campbell, of Campbell Financial Partners in Fort Myers, Florida. Head to www.annualcreditreport.com for one free annual report from each of the three credit reporting bureaus.
Your birthday
Your birthday can mark the day when you’re officially kicked off your parents’ insurance (age 26). It can be the day when you are finally able to work (age 14). For retirees, birthdays can open up access to Medicare and Social Security.
Four times per year
Self-employed individuals and small business owners should mark their calendars for April 15, June 15, Sept. 15 and Jan. 15 as deadlines to pay their estimated tax bills.
More from U.S. News
8 Ways You Can Prepare Now for Next Year’s Taxes
7 Most-Missed Tax Deductions and Credits
9 Red Flags That Could Trigger a Tax Audit
14 Important Personal Finance Dates to Mark on Your Calendar originally appeared on usnews.com
