US deadlines in days

52 official day-count rules for consumer rights, jobs and benefits, taxes, courts and immigration. Each one links to the law or agency that sets it. The last column shows the due date if the clock started today, Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

Last checked: October 6, 2026. Jump to: Consumer rights and credit · Jobs, benefits and health coverage · Taxes · Courts and government · Travel and immigration

Consumer rights and credit

Rules for cancelling sales and loans, disputing card charges, debt collectors and credit reports.

Rule	Deadline	If it started today
Cancel a door-to-door or off-premises sale (FTC Cooling-Off Rule) Starts: The day of the sale. You can cancel until midnight of the third business day. Covers sales of $25 or more at your home, or $130 or more at temporary locations. Saturdays count as business days here; Sundays and federal holidays don’t. Source: 16 CFR 429.1 (FTC)	3 business days	Fri, Oct 9, 2026 Mon–Sat, skipping federal holidays
Cancel (rescind) a refinance or home-equity loan on your main home Starts: Closing, or delivery of the rescission notice and disclosures, whichever is last. Does not apply to a mortgage used to buy the home. Saturdays count. If the notice was never given, the right can last up to 3 years. Source: 12 CFR 1026.23 (CFPB, Regulation Z)	3 business days	Fri, Oct 9, 2026 Mon–Sat, skipping federal holidays
Send a written billing-error notice to your credit card company Starts: The date the first statement showing the error was sent. Must be in writing, to the billing-error address on your statement. A phone call doesn’t protect your rights. Source: 12 CFR 1026.13 (CFPB); 15 U.S.C. 1666	60 days	Sat, Dec 5, 2026
Card company acknowledges your billing-error notice Starts: The day the creditor receives your notice. Not needed if the error is fully resolved within the 30 days. Source: 12 CFR 1026.13(c)(1) (CFPB)	30 days	Thu, Nov 5, 2026
Card company resolves the billing error Starts: The day the creditor receives your notice. You can withhold the disputed amount meanwhile, and it can’t be reported as late. Source: 12 CFR 1026.13(c)(2) (CFPB)	2 billing cycles, never more than 90 days	Not a single date
Report a lost or stolen debit card to keep your loss at $50 or less Starts: When you learn the card was lost or stolen. Reporting later raises the cap to $500. Banks must allow more time for extenuating circumstances. Source: 12 CFR 1005.6(b)(1) (CFPB, Regulation E)	2 business days	Thu, Oct 8, 2026 Mon–Fri, skipping federal holidays
Report an unauthorized transfer that appears on your bank statement Starts: The date the bank sent the statement. Miss it and you can be liable for later transfers that prompt notice would have stopped. Source: 12 CFR 1005.6(b)(3) (CFPB, Regulation E)	60 days	Sat, Dec 5, 2026
Dispute a debt with a debt collector (validation period) Starts: When you receive (or are assumed to receive) the validation notice. The notice itself must state the exact end date, so use that date. Source: 12 CFR 1006.34 (CFPB, Regulation F)	30 days	Thu, Nov 5, 2026
Credit bureau finishes investigating your credit report dispute Starts: The day the credit bureau receives your dispute. Can be extended by up to 15 days if you send new information during the 30 days. Disputes after a free annual report get 45 days. Source: 15 U.S.C. 1681i	30 days	Thu, Nov 5, 2026
Credit card statement arrives before the payment due date Starts: Counted back from the due date on the statement. Applies to credit card accounts. Source: 12 CFR 1026.5(b)(2)(ii) (CFPB)	At least 21 days before	Counted back from a later date
Advance notice of significant changes to credit card terms Starts: Counted back from the date the change takes effect. Penalty-rate increases also need 45 days’ notice. Home-equity lines follow different rules. Source: 12 CFR 1026.9 (CFPB)	At least 45 days before	Counted back from a later date
Ship a mail, online or phone order (FTC Mail Order Rule) Starts: The day the seller receives a complete order. 50 days if you apply to the seller for credit. If the seller can’t ship in time, it must let you cancel for a refund. Source: 16 CFR 435.2 (FTC)	30 days if no time is stated	Thu, Nov 5, 2026
Gift card money can’t expire sooner than Starts: The date the card was issued or last loaded. Inactivity fees are allowed only after a year without use, at most one a month. Source: 12 CFR 1005.20 (CFPB)	5 years	Not a single date
Most negative items stay on your credit report for Starts: Generally the date of the item; for collections, 180 days after the original delinquency. Bankruptcies can be reported for 10 years. Criminal convictions have no time limit. Source: 15 U.S.C. 1681c	7 years	Not a single date

Jobs, benefits and health coverage

COBRA, layoffs, discrimination claims, FMLA, hiring paperwork, health enrollment and benefit appeals.

Rule	Deadline	If it started today
Elect COBRA continuation coverage Starts: The later of losing coverage or receiving the COBRA election notice. A plan may allow longer, never shorter. Source: 26 CFR 54.4980B-6; 29 U.S.C. 1165	At least 60 days	Sat, Dec 5, 2026
Employer tells the health plan about a COBRA qualifying event Starts: The qualifying event (job loss, reduced hours, death, Medicare entitlement). Divorce and a child aging out are reported by the family member, not the employer. Source: 29 CFR 2590.606-2 (DOL)	30 days	Thu, Nov 5, 2026
Plan administrator sends the COBRA election notice Starts: The administrator receives the qualifying-event notice. 44 days when the employer is also the plan administrator. Source: 29 CFR 2590.606-4 (DOL)	14 days	Tue, Oct 20, 2026
Pay the first COBRA premium Starts: The day you elect COBRA. Later monthly premiums have a 30-day grace period. Source: 26 CFR 54.4980B-8	45 days	Fri, Nov 20, 2026
Notice before a plant closing or mass layoff (WARN Act) Starts: Counted back from the closing or layoff date. Generally employers with 100 or more employees. Some states have stricter “mini-WARN” laws. Source: 20 CFR 639 (DOL)	60 calendar days before	Counted back from a later date
File a job discrimination charge with the EEOC Starts: The date of the discrimination. 300 days if a state or local agency enforces a law against the same discrimination. Federal employees follow a different process. Source: 42 U.S.C. 2000e-5(e)(1)	180 days	Sun, Apr 4, 2027
Sue after an EEOC right-to-sue notice Starts: The right-to-sue notice (count from when you receive it). Courts apply this strictly. Talk to a lawyer early. Source: 42 U.S.C. 2000e-5(f)(1)	90 days	Mon, Jan 4, 2027
Unpaid, job-protected FMLA leave Starts: The 12-month period your employer uses. Eligibility rules apply. Military caregiver leave allows up to 26 workweeks. Source: 29 CFR 825.200 (DOL)	12 workweeks per 12 months	Not a single date
Give notice of foreseeable FMLA leave Starts: Counted back from the day leave begins. If 30 days isn’t possible, give notice as soon as practicable. Source: 29 CFR 825.302 (DOL)	30 days before	Counted back from a later date
Employer completes Section 2 of Form I-9 Starts: The new employee’s first day of paid work. The employee completes Section 1 by the first day of work. Source: USCIS I-9 Central	3 business days	Fri, Oct 9, 2026 Mon–Fri, skipping federal holidays
Join an employer health plan after a life event (HIPAA special enrollment) Starts: Losing other coverage, marriage, birth, adoption or placement for adoption. 60 days for Medicaid or CHIP events (29 U.S.C. 1181(f)(3)). Source: 29 CFR 2590.701-6 (DOL)	30 days	Thu, Nov 5, 2026
Enroll in an ACA Marketplace plan after a qualifying event Starts: The qualifying life event, such as losing coverage. For losing coverage you can also apply up to 60 days before. Source: HealthCare.gov	Usually 60 days	Sat, Dec 5, 2026
Medicare Initial Enrollment Period Starts: 3 months before the month you turn 65, through 3 months after it. Late enrollment can mean lifelong penalties. Source: Medicare.gov	7 months	Not a single date
Ask Social Security to reconsider a decision Starts: When you receive the notice, presumed 5 days after its date. In practice, about 65 days from the date printed on the notice. Source: 20 CFR 404.909 and 404.901	60 days	Sat, Dec 5, 2026
Appeal a Medicare Part A or B claim (redetermination) Starts: When you receive the notice, presumed 5 days after its date. Your Medicare Summary Notice shows the last day to appeal. Source: 42 CFR 405.942	120 days	Wed, Feb 3, 2027
Get copies of your medical records (HIPAA right of access) Starts: The provider or plan receives your request. One 30-day extension is allowed, with a written reason. Some states require faster access. Source: 45 CFR 164.524 (HHS)	30 days	Thu, Nov 5, 2026

Taxes

IRS deadlines that run from a notice or a payment, not from April 15.

Rule	Deadline	If it started today
Petition the Tax Court after an IRS notice of deficiency Starts: The day the notice is mailed. 150 days if the notice is addressed to someone outside the US. The last day is printed on the notice. Source: 26 U.S.C. 6213(a)	90 days	Mon, Jan 4, 2027
Request a Collection Due Process hearing (levy or lien notice) Starts: The day after the date of a levy notice; for a lien, use the date printed on the notice. Missing it means you lose the right to Tax Court review of the collection. Source: 26 U.S.C. 6330 and 6320	30 days	Thu, Nov 5, 2026
Finish an indirect (60-day) IRA or 401(k) rollover Starts: The day you receive the distribution. Only one IRA-to-IRA indirect rollover is allowed in 12 months. The IRS can waive the deadline in some hardships. Source: 26 U.S.C. 408(d)(3) and 402(c)(3)	60 days	Sat, Dec 5, 2026
Claim a tax refund Starts: The date you filed the return or paid the tax. Longer periods apply to bad debts and worthless securities. Source: 26 U.S.C. 6511(a)	3 years from filing or 2 years from paying, whichever is later	Not a single date
Automatic extension to file a personal return (Form 4868) Starts: The original due date, usually April 15. An extension to file is not an extension to pay. Interest runs from the original date. Source: IRS Tax Topic 304	6 months	Not a single date
Keep tax records Starts: When you file the return. 6 years if you left out more than 25% of income; 7 years for bad-debt or worthless-securities claims. Source: IRS: How long should I keep records	Generally 3 years	Not a single date

Courts and government

Federal court and records deadlines. State courts have their own rules.

Rule	Deadline	If it started today
Petition the US Supreme Court (writ of certiorari) Starts: Entry of the lower court’s judgment, not the mandate. See Rule 13 for rehearing petitions and extensions. Source: Supreme Court Rule 13.1	90 days	Mon, Jan 4, 2027
Appeal a federal civil judgment (notice of appeal) Starts: Entry of the judgment or order. 60 days if the United States, a federal agency or a federal officer is a party. Source: Fed. R. App. P. 4(a)(1)	30 days	Thu, Nov 5, 2026
Appeal a federal criminal judgment (defendant) Starts: Entry of the judgment, or the government’s notice of appeal if later. The court can extend it by up to 30 days for good cause. Source: Fed. R. App. P. 4(b)(1)(A)	14 days	Tue, Oct 20, 2026
Answer a federal civil lawsuit Starts: Being served with the summons and complaint. 60 days from when a waiver request was sent if you waive service (90 if sent abroad). The US government gets 60 days. Source: Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(a)(1)	21 days	Tue, Oct 27, 2026
Federal agency decides on a FOIA request Starts: The agency receives the request. Up to 10 more working days in unusual circumstances. This is the time to decide, not to hand over every record. Source: 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)	20 working days	Wed, Nov 4, 2026 Mon–Fri, skipping federal holidays
Bring an injury claim against the federal government (FTCA) Starts: When the claim arises; the 6 months run from when the denial is mailed. You must file with the agency before you can sue. Source: 28 U.S.C. 2401(b)	2 years to file the claim; 6 months to sue after a denial	Not a single date

Travel and immigration

Visa-free stays, address changes, naturalization and status deadlines.

Rule	Deadline	If it started today
Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) stay in the US Starts: The date you are admitted. Visitors generally can’t extend or change status. Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection	Up to 90 days	Mon, Jan 4, 2027
Short stay in the Schengen Area (Europe) Starts: A rolling window: on any day, look back 180 days. Applies to US citizens too. Because the window rolls, it isn’t a single date. How the 90/180 rule works. Source: European Commission	90 days in any 180-day period	Not a single date
Report a change of address to USCIS (Form AR-11) Starts: The day you move. Applies to most non-citizens. A and G visa holders and visa-waiver visitors are exempt. Source: 8 U.S.C. 1305; USCIS	10 days	Fri, Oct 16, 2026
File for naturalization (Form N-400) early Starts: Counted back from when you meet the 5-year (or 3-year) residence requirement. USCIS has an early filing calculator. Filing too early gets the application rejected. Source: 8 CFR 334.2(b); USCIS Policy Manual	Up to 90 days before	Counted back from a later date
Grace period after an H-1B (or L-1, O-1, TN, E) job ends Starts: The day after employment ends, or sooner if your I-94 ends first. Once per authorized stay. No work is allowed during it. Source: 8 CFR 214.1(l)(2) (DHS)	Up to 60 days	Sat, Dec 5, 2026
Unemployment allowed on F-1 post-completion OPT Starts: Days without qualifying work, added up over the OPT period. 150 days in total with the STEM OPT extension. A running total, not one stretch. Source: 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(E) (DHS)	90 days in total	Not a single date
F-1 grace period after finishing your program or OPT Changed Sept 2026 Starts: Your program end date, or the end of OPT or STEM OPT. New rule effective September 15, 2026. Students already properly in F-1 status that day keep the old 60-day period. Confirm with your school’s DSO. Source: 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(v), as amended by 91 FR 44976	30 days (changed from 60)	Thu, Nov 5, 2026
Green card holders: absence that needs a re-entry permit Starts: The day you leave the US. A green card works for re-entry only after an absence of less than a year. Trips of 6 months or more can also affect naturalization. Source: USCIS; 8 CFR 211.1(a)(2)	1 year or more	Not a single date
Remove conditions on a 2-year green card (Form I-751) Starts: Counted back from the expiration date on the card. Filing too early can be rejected; missing the window can end your status. Source: USCIS; 8 CFR 216.4	Within the 90 days before it expires	Counted back from a later date
B-2 tourist visa admission Starts: The date you are admitted. Your I-94 record shows your exact “admit until” date. B-1 business visitors have no minimum. Source: 8 CFR 214.2(b) (DHS)	At least 6 months (your I-94 sets the date)	Not a single date

How to count a deadline

Calendar days include weekends and holidays. Business days usually mean Monday to Friday without federal holidays, but read the rule: a few, like the FTC Cooling-Off Rule, count Saturdays. Use the days from today calculator or the business days calculator to count either way, and see the federal holidays that business-day rules skip.

Federal courts leave out the day of the event and count every day after it. If the last day lands on a weekend or legal holiday, the period runs to the next working day (FRCP 6(a)). When a letter or notice prints a specific deadline, rely on that date.

Frequently asked questions

Do deadlines count calendar days or business days?

It depends on the rule, so check the wording. Most federal rules here count calendar days, including weekends and holidays. A few say business days or working days, and even those differ: the FTC Cooling-Off Rule and the right to cancel a refinance count Saturdays, while FOIA and Form I-9 count Monday to Friday only.

Does the day the clock starts count as day 1?

Usually not. Federal court rules exclude the day of the event that starts the period, so day 1 is the next day. Many agency deadlines work the same way, but if a notice gives you a specific date, that printed date is the one that counts.

What if a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday?

Federal court deadlines move to the next day that isn’t a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday (Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 6(a)). IRS deadlines also move to the next business day. Many other deadlines don’t move, so act before the weekend if you’re unsure.

How often is this page checked?

Every rule was checked against the law, regulation or agency page linked beside it on October 6, 2026. We re-check the full list at least every three months and note changes, like the September 2026 cut in the F-1 student grace period from 60 to 30 days.

How to cite this page

From Today, “US deadlines in days,” https://fromtoday.app/deadlines/ (last checked October 6, 2026).

Deadlines and rules mentioned here are summaries for general information, not legal, financial or medical advice. See our methodology and official sources, and confirm important dates with the relevant agency.