How Do I Get an Extension on My Taxes?

A federal tax extension provides additional time to submit your income tax return to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Requesting an extension moves the filing deadline from mid-April to October 15 for most calendar-year taxpayers. This grants a six-month period to gather necessary documents, consult with a tax professional, or manage personal circumstances that prevent a timely submission. An extension does not require a specific reason for the request; it is automatically granted if the application is submitted correctly and on time.

Information and Payments for an Extension

An extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay your taxes. The full amount of tax owed is still due by the original April deadline, and failing to pay on time can result in penalties. The failure-to-pay penalty is 0.5% of the unpaid taxes for each month or part of a month that the taxes remain unpaid, with the penalty capped at 25% of your unpaid liability. Interest can also accrue on the underpayment.

Before you can request an extension, you must gather specific personal information. This includes your full name and address as they appear on your tax records, as well as your Social Security number. If you are married and file a joint return, you will also need your spouse’s full name and Social Security number.

A part of the extension process involves making a reasonable estimate of your total tax liability for the year. You can formulate this estimate by reviewing your prior-year tax return and adjusting for any changes in income, deductions, or credits. Use documents like your most recent pay stubs, Form W-2s, and various Form 1099s that report other income.

This information is compiled on IRS Form 4868, “Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.” On this form, you will report your personal details, your estimated total tax liability for the year, the amount of taxes you have already paid through withholding or estimated tax payments, and the resulting balance due.

How to File Your Extension

One of the most direct ways to file for an extension is by making an electronic payment for your estimated tax liability. When using systems like IRS Direct Pay or the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), you can indicate that the payment is for an extension. This action automatically secures your filing extension without the need to submit a separate Form 4868, and you will receive a confirmation number for your records.

You can also submit your extension request electronically using tax software. Both IRS Free File and various commercial tax preparation software products support the electronic filing of Form 4868. If you use these services, you will navigate to the section for extensions and input the information from your completed Form 4868.

For those who prefer to file a paper form, mailing a completed Form 4868 is also an option. After filling out the form, you must mail it to the IRS address designated for your specific geographic location. The correct mailing address depends on whether you are enclosing a payment with the form. To find the precise address, you must consult the official instructions for Form 4868, which are available on the IRS website.

State Tax Extensions

Receiving a federal tax extension from the IRS does not grant you an extension for your state taxes. Each state has its own distinct tax laws and procedures for extensions, and you must address these requirements separately.

The process for obtaining a state extension varies widely. Some states may automatically grant an extension if you have an approved federal extension, but this is not a universal rule. Many other states require you to file a separate, state-specific extension form. These forms and their associated rules are unique to each state’s tax authority.

To ensure compliance, you must determine the specific requirements for your state. The most reliable source for this information is your state’s department of revenue or taxation website. There, you can find the necessary forms, instructions, and deadlines for requesting a state tax filing extension. Proactively checking these resources is the only way to confirm your obligations and avoid potential penalties.