Federal Form 7004: Filing for a Business Tax Extension

Form 7004, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File Certain Business Income Tax, Information, and Other Returns, is filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to get an automatic extension for business tax filings. This form grants businesses up to six additional months to prepare and submit their returns. This is an extension of the deadline to file, not an extension to pay. Any tax liability must be paid by the original due date to avoid potential penalties and interest.

Eligible Tax Forms and Filing Deadlines

Many business structures can use Form 7004 for an extension, including C-corporations (Form 1120), S-corporations (Form 1120-S), and partnerships (Form 1065). Estates and certain trusts filing Form 1041 can also use this extension. The deadline to submit Form 7004 is the same as the original due date for the business’s tax return.

For businesses on a calendar year, the due date for partnership and S-corporation returns is March 15, and for C-corporations, it is April 15. If Form 7004 is completed and filed by the deadline, the extension is granted automatically by the IRS. Businesses do not need to provide a reason for the request.

Information Required to Complete Form 7004

Part I of the form requires basic identifying details, including the business’s legal name, Employer Identification Number (EIN), and business address. You must also identify the specific tax return for which you are requesting an extension by entering its form code on line 1. For example, the code for Form 1120 is “12,” for Form 1065 is “09,” and for Form 1120-S is “25.”

Part II requires a calculation of your estimated tax liability. This begins on line 6 with the “tentative total tax,” which is your best estimate of the total tax the business will owe for the year. On line 7, you will enter the total of all payments and refundable credits you have already made for the tax year.

The final calculation on line 8 is the “balance due.” This figure is determined by subtracting the total payments and credits on line 7 from the tentative total tax on line 6. If this calculation results in a balance due, this is the amount that should be paid when you file Form 7004.

How to Submit Form 7004

There are two primary methods for submission: electronic filing or mailing. The IRS encourages e-filing for faster processing, and this can be done through the IRS Modernized e-File (MeF) platform or by using approved tax software.

Alternatively, you can submit a paper copy of Form 7004 by mail. The mailing address depends on the type of tax return being filed and the location of the business. The official instructions for Form 7004 list the correct mailing addresses. If you have a balance due, you must include a check for that amount with your mailed form.

The IRS does not send a confirmation or approval notice. The extension is granted as long as the form was filed correctly and on time. You will only hear from the IRS if the request is denied. Mark your calendar for the new extended deadline, which is six months after the original due date.