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Updated for 2026 • Free Reference

Texas Employer Compliance Calendar

Every filing, notice, posting, and review a Texas employer should have on the calendar this year, organized by quarter, with owners and stakes explained in plain language.

How to use this calendar

Fixed legal deadlines are labeled with dates; recommended practices are labeled by month and represent the maintenance rhythm that keeps Texas employers out of trouble. Assign every item an owner. Last updated July 03, 2026; deadlines can change, so verify current-year specifics with the issuing agency or your advisor before relying on them.

First Quarter

January – March


January 31: Form W-2 to employees and SSA; Form 1099-NEC to contractors and IRS

Applies to: All employers
For tax year 2026 W-2s (filed January 2027), confirm your payroll provider's handling of the new overtime premium reporting in Box 14. Ask in writing now, not in December.

January 31: Form 941 for Q4 of the prior year; Form 940 (FUTA)

Applies to: All employers
Quarterly 941s continue April 30, July 31, and October 31.

January 31: Texas unemployment (C-3) report and payment for Q4

Applies to: All Texas employers subject to TWC unemployment tax
Quarterly deadlines: January 31, April 30, July 31, October 31.

February 1 through April 30: OSHA Form 300A posted in the workplace

Applies to: Employers with more than 10 employees, unless in an exempt low-hazard industry
Summary of the prior year's work-related injuries and illnesses, posted where notices go. Electronic submission applies to certain employers by March 2.

March 1: Texas EITC notice to all employees

Applies to: All Texas employers
State-required notice that employees may be eligible for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. Cheapest possible compliance win; pair it with W-2 distribution.

March 2: OSHA electronic injury data submission (Form 300A data)

Applies to: Establishments of 250+, or 20+ in designated industries
Submitted through OSHA's ITA portal.

Second Quarter

April – June


April 30: Q1 Form 941 and TWC C-3 filings

Applies to: All employers
Standard quarterly cycle.

April (recommended): Annual poster audit

Applies to: All employers
Walk every location against current federal and Texas poster checklists. Replace outdated versions. Our poster FAQ lists the required set.

May (recommended): Handbook and policy annual review

Applies to: All employers
One pass through the handbook: PTO payout language, at-will disclaimer, AI use policy, break rules, and anything the last year's incidents exposed.

June (recommended): I-9 file self-audit

Applies to: All employers
Sample or full audit of I-9 completeness, retention, and reverification dates, before an agency does it for you.

Third Quarter

July – September


July 31: Q2 Form 941 and TWC C-3 filings

Applies to: All employers
Standard quarterly cycle.

July (recommended): Exempt/nonexempt classification review

Applies to: All employers
Verify every salaried-exempt role still meets duties and salary tests, especially after promotions, reorganizations, or raises given in lieu of overtime.

August (recommended): Supervisor training refresh

Applies to: All employers
Annual documentation, complaint-handling, and AI-use training for everyone who manages people. Most claims trace to an untrained supervisor's first response.

September (recommended): Pay compression and range review

Applies to: All employers
Run incumbents against ranges and new-hire offers before budget season locks next year's numbers. Our pay compression calculator does the first pass free.

Fourth Quarter

October – December


October 31: Q3 Form 941 and TWC C-3 filings

Applies to: All employers
Standard quarterly cycle.

October (recommended): Workers' compensation status review

Applies to: All Texas employers
Subscribers: confirm coverage and postings. Non-subscribers: confirm the annual DWC non-coverage filing, workplace notices, and new-hire notices are actually in place.

November (recommended): Benefits open enrollment notices

Applies to: Employers offering group health plans
Distribute required plan notices with enrollment materials; confirm COBRA administration and Texas state continuation notices are handled.

December (recommended): Year-end payroll verification

Applies to: All employers
Verify addresses, W-2 data, overtime premium tracking for Box 14 reporting, and bonus treatment in the regular rate before the year closes.

Link to this calendar. Chambers, CPAs, and associations are welcome to share it: <a href="https://faulknerhrsolutions.info/texas-employer-compliance-calendar/">Texas Employer Compliance Calendar - Faulkner HR Solutions</a>
Turn the Calendar Into a System

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