Can I Still File My Taxes Today After the Deadline?

Yes, you can and should file your taxes after the deadline. The consequences depend on whether you owe the government or are due a refund, but submitting your return is necessary in either scenario. For those who owe taxes, filing promptly minimizes penalties and interest charges that accumulate over time.

For individuals expecting a refund, filing is the only way to claim the money you are owed. While the urgency might seem lower, there is a time limit to claim these funds. Delaying your filing simply means delaying the receipt of your money.

Information Needed to File Your Tax Return

Personal Information

Before starting your tax return, gather the Social Security numbers (SSNs) and dates of birth for yourself, your spouse, and any dependents you plan to claim. An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) may be used in place of an SSN for certain individuals. You will also need your bank account and routing numbers to facilitate a direct deposit of any refund or a direct debit for any taxes owed.

Income Documents

Your income documentation provides a full picture of your earnings for the year. The most common form is the W-2, which you receive from your employer. If you performed contract work, you might have a Form 1099-NEC, and other income sources like interest or dividends are reported on Forms 1099-INT or 1099-DIV. Should you be missing a W-2, contact your employer’s human resources department; for other missing forms, you can use the IRS “Get Transcript” tool online to retrieve federal tax information.

Expense Records for Deductions

To reduce your taxable income, you will need records of expenses that qualify for deductions or credits. This includes documentation for charitable contributions, medical expenses, and property taxes. If you paid interest on a student loan, you should have received a Form 1098-E detailing the amount paid.

Penalties for Filing or Paying Late

When a tax return is filed after the deadline and there is a balance due, the IRS may assess penalties for failing to file and failing to pay. The failure-to-file penalty is 5% of the unpaid taxes for each month or part of a month that a tax return is late. This penalty starts accruing the day after the tax filing due date and is capped at 25% of your unpaid taxes. For a tax return due in 2025 that is filed more than 60 days late, the minimum penalty is the lesser of $510 or 100% of the tax owed.

A separate penalty exists for failing to pay on time. The failure-to-pay penalty is 0.5% of the unpaid taxes for each month or part of a month the taxes remain unpaid, and it is also capped at 25% of the unpaid tax amount. If both penalties are applied in the same month, the failure-to-file penalty is reduced by the amount of the failure-to-pay penalty, resulting in a combined maximum of 5% per month. Beyond these penalties, interest can be charged on underpayments and unpaid penalties, with a rate that can be adjusted quarterly and compounds daily.

Claiming a Tax Refund After the Deadline

If you are due a tax refund, there is no penalty for filing your return after the deadline, though it will delay your payment. The IRS generally gives you three years from the original due date of the tax return to file and claim any money you are owed. For example, to claim a refund for the 2024 tax year, originally due in April 2025, you would typically have until April 2028 to file. This three-year window also applies to claiming certain tax credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit.

If you do not file within this three-year period, you forfeit your right to the refund. The money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury.

How to Submit Your Late Tax Return

Once you have completed your tax forms, you have two primary methods for submission. Electronic filing, or e-filing, is often the most efficient method, and many commercial tax software programs and IRS Free File options remain available after the tax deadline. After you e-file, you should receive an email confirmation from the IRS, typically within 48 hours, indicating whether your return has been accepted or rejected.

Alternatively, you can mail a paper copy of your tax return. Print and sign the completed forms, then mail them to the IRS service center for your location. The correct address, which depends on your state and whether you are including a payment, is on the IRS website or in the form instructions.