Texas Unemployment Tax Due Dates – A Friendly Guide

Introduction

If you have employees in Texas, you must pay state unemployment taxes and file wage reports each quarter. Missing a deadline could lead to penalties and interest. This article explains Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) due dates in a calm, straightforward way so you can stay on top of filings and avoid surprises.

Key Due Dates

Texas uses a calendar‑year quarter system for unemployment tax reporting. Here are the due dates for reports and payments twc.texas.gov :

Wages Paid Calendar Quarter Ends Report & Payment Due January – March March 31 April 30 April – June June 30 July 31 July – September September 30 October 31 October – December December 31 January 31 (following year)

Important: Texas requires that you file your wage report and pay taxes by the last day of the month following each quarter twc.texas.gov . If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, your report and payment are due the next business day.

What to File

Texas employers must submit:

Quarterly Wage Report (Form C‑3) – includes wages paid to each employee.

Unemployment tax payment – based on your assigned tax rate and taxable wage base.

You can file and pay online through the TWC’s Unemployment Tax Services. Filing online is required for most employers.

Penalties for Late Filing

If you miss the deadline, Texas may charge:

Interest on unpaid taxes.

Late filing penalties on the wage report.

Additional penalties if the delay continues.

Persistent delinquency could trigger an audit. Auditors may review payroll records and classification to ensure proper reporting.

Tips for Texas Employers

Set reminders for the due dates above.

File online early to avoid last‑minute technical issues.

Keep employee records up to date so wage reporting is accurate.

Separate W‑2 employees from 1099 workers; only employees are reported for UI taxes.

Use a compliance tool like Classifi™ to track due dates, wages and classification.

Summary

Texas unemployment tax and wage reports are due on April 30, July 31, October 31 and January 31 following each calendar quarter twc.texas.gov . Filing and paying on time prevents penalties and reduces the risk of an audit. Keep your payroll organized and use online tools to streamline the process.