Not tax advice. Computation tools only. Have a professional check your work before filing.
OpenAccountants/Skills/Deadline Engine

Deadline Engine

Intelligence skill that generates a personalised filing calendar based on the user's jurisdiction and obligations. Looks up deadlines from a master table covering 15 jurisdictions, produces a sorted 12-month calendar, flags approaching deadlines with amber (30 days) and red (7 days) urgency, and…

GLOBALTax year 2025· Last reviewed Apr 13, 2026

Key facts — GLOBAL, 2025

Days remainingFlagLabel
> 30 days--On track
8--30 daysAMBERApproaching
0--7 daysREDUrgent
Past dueREDOVERDUE

Use these rules in your AI

Connect once and your AI follows Deadline Engine automatically — it stays current when a rate changes, and hands you to a licensed accountant when you need one. A copied file goes stale the day the law moves.

Use this in your AI

Want a licensed accountant to check your AI-generated return?

Get reviewed

Are you a GLOBAL accountant? Sign off these rules and put your name on them.

These rules are research-verified. They need a licensed practitioner for GLOBAL to confirm them and become their named verifier. Reviewing reference rules — not signing returns.

Apply to verify GLOBAL

About

Intelligence skill that generates a personalised filing calendar based on the user's jurisdiction and obligations. Looks up deadlines from a master table covering 15 jurisdictions, produces a sorted 12-month calendar, flags approaching deadlines with amber (30 days) and red (7 days) urgency, and calculates late-filing penalties by referencing each jurisdiction's penalty rules.

GLOBALTax year 2025

Full guide

Deadline Engine v0.1

What this file is

Obligation category: INTEL (Intelligence / Cross-cutting) Functional role: Calendar generation, deadline tracking, penalty estimation Status: Active

This is an intelligence skill that loads on top of workflow-base. Unlike content skills that compute a single obligation, this skill reads the user's full obligation profile and produces a consolidated filing calendar.

The reviewer is the customer of this output. The calendar and penalty estimates are working aids for a credentialed reviewer, not direct advice to the taxpayer.

Disclaimer. This skill provides deadline information based on general statutory rules for the jurisdictions listed. Actual deadlines may vary due to weekends, public holidays, individual extensions, agent lodgement schedules, or legislative changes. All dates must be verified by a credentialed professional in the relevant jurisdiction before reliance. OpenAccountants does not guarantee the accuracy of any deadline and accepts no liability for late filings. This is not legal or tax advice.


Section 1 -- Scope statement

This skill covers:

  • Jurisdictions: US (federal + CA), MT, GB, DE, AU, CA (Canada), IN, ES, NL, SG (15 jurisdiction-obligation combinations)
  • Obligation types: Income tax, estimated/provisional tax, VAT/GST/BTW, social security contributions
  • Output: Sorted 12-month calendar, urgency flags, penalty estimates

This skill does NOT cover:

  • Corporate tax returns, payroll obligations, or employer filings
  • Extension requests or amended return deadlines (beyond noting extension availability)
  • Sub-national deadlines beyond US-CA (other US states, German Laender, Australian states, etc.)
  • Deadlines for obligations not listed in the master table

Section 2 -- Workflow

Step 0 -- Read the user's obligation profile

Read the user's jurisdiction and obligation types from one of these sources, in priority order:

  1. Intake manifest -- the structured output from an intake skill (e.g., us-ca-freelance-intake)
  2. Explicit user statement -- "I'm a freelancer in Malta" or "I file in the UK and Germany"
  3. Prior conversation context -- jurisdiction identified in an earlier turn

If no jurisdiction can be determined, ask:

"Which country (or countries) do you file taxes in? And what types of obligations do you have -- income tax, VAT/GST, estimated tax payments, social security?"

Do not proceed until at least one jurisdiction is confirmed.

Step 1 -- Look up filing deadlines

Match the user's jurisdiction + obligation types against the Master Deadline Table in Section 3. Pull every matching row.

Step 2 -- Generate the calendar

  1. Anchor to today's date.
  2. For each matched obligation, compute the next 12 months of concrete deadline dates.
  3. Adjust for weekends: if a deadline falls on a Saturday, move to the preceding Friday; if on a Sunday, move to the following Monday -- unless the jurisdiction has a different convention (noted in the table).
  4. Sort all deadlines chronologically.
  5. Present as a table:
| # | Date | Jurisdiction | Obligation | Form | Action required | Urgency |
|---|------|--------------|------------|------|-----------------|---------|

Step 3 -- Flag approaching deadlines

Apply urgency flags based on days until deadline from today's date:

Days remainingFlagLabel
> 30 days--On track
8--30 daysAMBERApproaching
0--7 daysREDUrgent
Past dueREDOVERDUE

If any deadline is OVERDUE, add a penalty estimate (Step 4) automatically.

Step 4 -- Calculate penalties for late filing

When a deadline is past due or when the user asks "what if I file late?", compute the estimated penalty using the jurisdiction's penalty rules. Reference the relevant content skill for precise penalty logic. If no content skill is loaded for that jurisdiction, use the penalty summary in Section 4 of this file and flag the estimate as T2 (reviewer judgment required).

Always state: "Penalty estimates are approximations. Actual penalties depend on the amount of tax owed, the length of delay, and jurisdiction-specific rules. A credentialed professional should confirm."


Section 3 -- Master Deadline Table

3.1 United States -- Federal

ObligationFormFrequencyDeadlineNotes
Federal income tax (filing + payment)1040AnnualApr 15Auto-extends to Oct 15 for filing (not payment) via Form 4868
Estimated tax -- Q11040-ESQuarterlyApr 15Based on prior-year or current-year liability
Estimated tax -- Q21040-ESQuarterlyJun 15
Estimated tax -- Q31040-ESQuarterlySep 15
Estimated tax -- Q41040-ESQuarterlyJan 15 (next year)

3.2 United States -- California

ObligationFormFrequencyDeadlineNotes
CA individual income tax540AnnualApr 15Conforms to federal date; auto-extends to Oct 15
CA SMLLC annual tax568AnnualApr 15$800 minimum franchise tax due regardless of income
CA estimated tax540-ESQuarterlyApr 15, Jun 15, Sep 15, Jan 1530/40/0/30 schedule

3.3 Malta

ObligationFormFrequencyDeadlineNotes
Income tax returnTA24AnnualJun 30For self-employed / self-occupied
VAT returnPeriodic return (CFR)Quarterly45 days after quarter endQuarters: Jan-Mar, Apr-Jun, Jul-Sep, Oct-Dec
Social security contributions (Class 2)SSCQuarterlyApr 30, Jul 31, Oct 31, Jan 31Self-occupied persons
Provisional tax -- 1st instalmentPTAnnualApr 3020% of prior-year liability
Provisional tax -- 2nd instalmentPTAnnualAug 3130% of prior-year liability
Provisional tax -- 3rd instalmentPTAnnualDec 2150% of prior-year liability

3.4 United Kingdom

ObligationFormFrequencyDeadlineNotes
Self Assessment (online)SA100AnnualJan 31For tax year ending prior Apr 5
Self Assessment (paper)SA100AnnualOct 31Paper filing deadline
Payment on Account -- 1stPOASemi-annualJan 3150% of prior-year liability
Payment on Account -- 2ndPOASemi-annualJul 3150% of prior-year liability
Balancing paymentSA100AnnualJan 31Difference from POAs
VAT returnVAT100Quarterly1 month + 7 days after quarter endMaking Tax Digital; quarters vary by stagger group

3.5 Germany

ObligationFormFrequencyDeadlineNotes
Income tax returnESt (Einkommensteuererklaerung)AnnualJul 31Extends to end of Feb (+2 years) if filed by Steuerberater
VAT return (advance)UStVA (Umsatzsteuer-Voranmeldung)Monthly or Quarterly10th of following monthMonthly if prior-year VAT > EUR 7,500; quarterly if EUR 1,000--7,500
VAT annual returnUStEAnnualJul 31Reconciliation return
Estimated tax -- Q1VorauszahlungQuarterlyMar 10Based on Vorauszahlungsbescheid
Estimated tax -- Q2VorauszahlungQuarterlyJun 10
Estimated tax -- Q3VorauszahlungQuarterlySep 10
Estimated tax -- Q4VorauszahlungQuarterlyDec 10

3.6 Australia

ObligationFormFrequencyDeadlineNotes
Income tax return (self-lodged)ITRAnnualOct 31For FY ending Jun 30
Income tax return (tax agent)ITRAnnualMay 15Agent lodgement programme; dates vary
BAS -- GST (quarterly)BASQuarterly28th of month after quarter endQuarters: Jul-Sep, Oct-Dec, Jan-Mar, Apr-Jun
PAYG instalmentsBAS/IASQuarterly28th of month after quarter endLodged with BAS if registered for GST

3.7 Canada

ObligationFormFrequencyDeadlineNotes
Individual income tax (filing)T1AnnualJun 15Extended filing date for self-employed
Individual income tax (payment)T1AnnualApr 30Balance owing due regardless of filing deadline
GST/HST returnGST34Quarterly or AnnualEnd of month after reporting periodAnnual filers: Jun 15 (sole prop)
Instalments -- Q1--QuarterlyMar 15Required if net tax owing > CAD 3,000
Instalments -- Q2--QuarterlyJun 15
Instalments -- Q3--QuarterlySep 15
Instalments -- Q4--QuarterlyDec 15

3.8 India

ObligationFormFrequencyDeadlineNotes
Income tax return (no audit)ITR-3 or ITR-4AnnualJul 31ITR-4 for presumptive taxation
Income tax return (audit required)ITR-3AnnualOct 31If turnover exceeds audit threshold
Advance tax -- Q1Challan 280QuarterlyJun 1515% of estimated liability
Advance tax -- Q2Challan 280QuarterlySep 1545% cumulative
Advance tax -- Q3Challan 280QuarterlyDec 1575% cumulative
Advance tax -- Q4Challan 280QuarterlyMar 15100% cumulative
GST returnGSTR-3BMonthly20th of following monthSummary return with tax payment
GST annual returnGSTR-9AnnualDec 31If turnover > INR 2 crore

3.9 Spain

ObligationFormFrequencyDeadlineNotes
IRPF (income tax)Modelo 100AnnualJun 30Renta campaign typically opens Apr 2
IVA (VAT) -- Q1Modelo 303QuarterlyApr 20
IVA (VAT) -- Q2Modelo 303QuarterlyJul 20
IVA (VAT) -- Q3Modelo 303QuarterlyOct 20
IVA (VAT) -- Q4Modelo 303QuarterlyJan 30Note: Jan 30, not Jan 20
Pago fraccionado -- Q1Modelo 130QuarterlyApr 2020% of cumulative net income
Pago fraccionado -- Q2Modelo 130QuarterlyJul 20
Pago fraccionado -- Q3Modelo 130QuarterlyOct 20
Pago fraccionado -- Q4Modelo 130QuarterlyJan 30
RETA (social security)CuotaMonthlyLast business day of monthAutonomous workers' regime

3.10 Netherlands

ObligationFormFrequencyDeadlineNotes
Income tax returnIB (Inkomstenbelasting)AnnualMay 1Can request extension to Sep 1
BTW (VAT) returnAangifte omzetbelastingQuarterlyLast day of month after quarter endQuarters: Jan-Mar, Apr-Jun, Jul-Sep, Oct-Dec
Voorlopige aanslag (provisional assessment)--As assessedPer Belastingdienst scheduleMonthly instalments based on assessment

3.11 Singapore

ObligationFormFrequencyDeadlineNotes
Income tax returnForm BAnnualApr 18 (e-filing) / Apr 15 (paper)For year of assessment (prior calendar year)
GST returnGST F5Quarterly1 month after quarter endPrescribed accounting periods
Estimated chargeable incomeECIAnnual3 months after FY endFor companies only; individuals use Form B

Section 4 -- Penalty summaries (for late-filing estimates)

These are simplified penalty rules for estimation purposes. Always flag as T2 and recommend reviewer verification.

US -- Federal

  • Failure to file (FTF): 5% of unpaid tax per month, max 25%. Minimum penalty for returns >60 days late: lesser of $510 or 100% of unpaid tax.
  • Failure to pay (FTP): 0.5% of unpaid tax per month, max 25%.
  • Estimated tax underpayment: IRC section 6654 penalty calculated at federal short-term rate + 3 percentage points, compounded daily.

US -- California

  • Late filing: 5% of tax due + 0.5% per month (max 25%). Minimum $135 or 100% of tax.
  • Late payment: Collection cost recovery fee applies after demand notice.

Malta

  • Late filing of TA24: Administrative penalty of EUR 50 per month or part thereof (max EUR 500).
  • Late payment: Interest at 0.54% per month on unpaid tax.
  • Late VAT return: EUR 20 per day of delay.

United Kingdom

  • Late SA filing: GBP 100 immediate; after 3 months, GBP 10/day (max 90 days = GBP 900); after 6 months, 5% of tax due or GBP 300 (whichever is greater); after 12 months, further 5% or GBP 300.
  • Late payment: 5% surcharge at 30 days, 6 months, and 12 months past due.

Germany

  • Late filing (Verspaetungszuschlag): 0.25% of assessed tax per month of delay, minimum EUR 25/month.
  • Late payment (Saumniszuschlag): 1% per month of the rounded-down tax amount.

Australia

  • Failure to lodge on time: AUD 313 per 28-day period, max AUD 1,565 (individual).
  • General interest charge (GIC): Base rate + 7 percentage points, compounded daily.

Canada

  • Late filing: 5% of balance owing + 1% per complete month late (max 12 months = 17% total).
  • Repeated late filing: 10% + 2% per month (max 20 months).
  • Instalment interest: Prescribed rate, compounded daily.

India

  • Late filing (section 234F): INR 5,000 if filed by Dec 31; INR 10,000 after. INR 1,000 if total income < INR 5 lakh.
  • Late payment interest (section 234B): 1% per month on shortfall.
  • Advance tax interest (section 234C): 1% per month on quarterly shortfall.

Spain

  • Late filing (recargo): 1% + 1% per complete month of delay (up to 12 months), no penalties/interest. After 12 months: 15% surcharge + interest.
  • Late payment: 5% (3 months), 10% (6 months), 15% (12 months), 20% + interest (>12 months). Under the new LGT reform, voluntary regularisation recargos apply.

Netherlands

  • Late filing: EUR 385 fixed penalty (verzuimboete). Repeated: up to EUR 5,514.
  • Late payment: Tax interest (belastingrente) at 7.5% (2025 rate for income tax).

Singapore

  • Late filing: SGD 200 immediate; if still not filed after 1 month, summons + further penalties up to SGD 1,000.
  • Late payment: 5% penalty on unpaid tax. After 1 month: additional 1% per month (max 12%).

Section 5 -- Output format

Present the calendar in this structure:

Part A -- Filing calendar (next 12 months)

| # | Date | Days | Urgency | Jurisdiction | Obligation | Form | Action |
|---|------|------|---------|--------------|------------|------|--------|
| 1 | 2026-04-15 | 4 | RED | US | Federal income tax | 1040 | File return + pay balance |
| 2 | 2026-04-15 | 4 | RED | US | Estimated tax Q1 | 1040-ES | Pay Q1 estimate |
| ... | | | | | | | |

Part B -- Overdue items (if any)

List any obligations past their deadline with estimated penalty.

Part C -- Reviewer notes

  • Assumptions made (e.g., "assumed online filing for UK SA100")
  • Items requiring reviewer confirmation
  • Suggestions for extension filings

Section 6 -- Self-checks

Before delivering output, verify:

  • User's jurisdiction is confirmed, not assumed
  • All obligations for the jurisdiction are included (none omitted)
  • Dates are correct for the current calendar year
  • Weekend adjustment applied where needed
  • Urgency flags match the days-remaining calculation
  • Penalty estimates are flagged T2 with reviewer disclaimer
  • No filing advice is given without reviewer qualification
  • Calendar is sorted chronologically
  • Output uses the format from Section 5

Disclaimer

This skill and its outputs are provided for informational and computational purposes only and do not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Open Accountants and its contributors accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes arising from the use of this skill. All outputs must be reviewed and signed off by a qualified professional (such as a CPA, EA, tax attorney, or equivalent licensed practitioner in your jurisdiction) before filing or acting upon.

The most up-to-date, verified version of this skill is maintained at openaccountants.com. Log in to access the latest version, request a professional review from a licensed accountant, and track updates as tax law changes.

More GLOBAL tax skills

Other GLOBAL computations in the OpenAccountants library.

See all GLOBAL skills →

6 of 59 in the GLOBAL workflow: