Can I File a Tax Extension Online?
Filing for a tax extension online is simple. Get an automatic six-month delay to submit your return and learn how to navigate the rules for payment deadlines.
Yes, you can file a tax extension online. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides several free electronic methods to request more time to file your federal income tax return. Successfully submitting an extension request automatically grants you an additional six months to complete your tax return, pushing the filing deadline from April 15 to October 15. This extra time can be useful for those waiting for tax documents or who need more time to organize their financial information.
Understanding the Extension to File
Filing for an extension provides more time to submit your return, but it does not postpone the deadline for paying any taxes you owe. Your tax payment is still due by the original April 15 deadline, and failing to pay your estimated tax liability by this date can result in penalties and interest. Interest accrues on any unpaid balance at a rate that is determined quarterly and compounded daily. For early 2025, the interest rate on underpayments is 7% per year.
In addition to interest, the penalty for failing to pay is 0.5% of the unpaid taxes for each month or part of a month the taxes remain unpaid, capped at 25% of your unpaid liability. The purpose of an extension is to avoid the failure-to-file penalty, which is significantly higher at 5% of the unpaid taxes for each month a return is late, also capped at 25%. If you file more than 60 days after the due date, the minimum penalty is the lesser of $510 or 100% of the tax owed. Therefore, even if you cannot pay the full amount you owe, you should file for an extension to minimize potential penalties.
If you anticipate receiving a refund, there is no penalty for failing to file by the April deadline, as there is no tax liability to which a penalty could be applied. However, you must file a return to claim your refund, and you only have three years from the original due date to do so.
Information Needed to File Your Extension
Before you begin the online filing process, you will need to gather specific personal and financial information. You must have the full names, addresses, and Social Security numbers for yourself and your spouse if you are filing a joint return.
You will also need your adjusted gross income (AGI) from your most recently filed tax return. Your AGI is your gross income minus certain above-the-line deductions and can be found on line 11 of your prior year’s Form 1040. This figure is used by the IRS and tax software to verify your identity when you file electronically.
The extension application, Form 4868, requires you to estimate your tax liability for the current year. This does not need to be a perfect calculation, but it should be a reasonable estimate based on your available information, such as W-2s or 1099s. You will also need to tally any tax payments you have already made for the year, including federal income tax withheld from your paychecks and any estimated tax payments.
How to File Your Extension Online
One of the most direct ways to file is using IRS Direct Pay. You can visit the IRS website, select the “extension” option as the reason for your payment, and make a payment toward your estimated tax bill. Making a payment through this system automatically processes your request for an extension, meaning you do not have to file a separate Form 4868.
Another method is using IRS Free File, which is available to all taxpayers for filing an extension regardless of income. You can access the Free File portal through the IRS website and use the guided software provided by partner companies. This process involves answering a series of simple questions and inputting your personal and financial data to electronically request an extension.
Many individuals also use commercial tax preparation software from companies like TurboTax or H&R Block. These platforms offer a simple process for filing an extension, even if you do not use their software to file your final return. The steps are similar to IRS Free File, where you follow on-screen prompts to enter your information. After submitting, you will receive a confirmation once the IRS has accepted your extension request.