What Is the Deadline for Filing Extended Tax Returns?

A tax extension provides individuals with additional time to submit their income tax return to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This provision is particularly useful for taxpayers needing more time to gather documents, clarify finances, or address unforeseen circumstances. An extension grants more time to file a tax return, but it does not extend the deadline for paying any taxes owed. Failing to adhere to payment deadlines can result in financial penalties.

Your Extended Tax Filing Deadline

For most individual taxpayers, the standard extended deadline for filing federal income tax returns (Form 1040) is October 15th. This date typically represents a six-month extension from the original April 15th tax deadline. To secure this additional time, taxpayers must submit Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, by the original tax due date.

The submission of Form 4868 provides an automatic extension, meaning the IRS generally grants the request without requiring a specific reason. Taxpayers confirm their extension through the acceptance of their Form 4868 submission, usually without direct notification unless denied.

Variations to the Standard Extension

While October 15th is the common extended deadline, specific situations can alter this timeframe. United States citizens and resident aliens residing and working abroad receive an automatic two-month extension, pushing their initial deadline to June 15th. They can then file Form 4868 for an additional four-month extension, aligning their filing deadline with the standard October 15th.

Military personnel serving in combat zones or hazardous duty areas also receive extended deadlines. They are typically granted an automatic extension that lasts for 180 days after they leave the combat zone, with any remaining time from the original deadline added to this period. This particular extension is unique as it applies to both the filing of the tax return and the payment of any taxes owed. Additionally, the IRS may grant automatic tax filing and payment extensions for individuals and businesses in federally declared disaster areas. These deadlines are announced specifically for the affected regions and can vary widely based on the circumstances of the disaster.

Extension of Time to File vs. Time to Pay

Taxpayers often misunderstand that an extension to file also extends the time to pay. Filing Form 4868 only extends the time to submit the tax return, not the time to pay any taxes due. Any tax liability is still due by the original April 15th deadline for most individuals.

If taxes are not paid by the original due date, interest and penalties can accrue on the unpaid balance, even with a filing extension. Taxpayers should accurately estimate their tax liability and pay any amount owed by the original deadline to avoid additional charges. Making a payment, even when submitting an extension request, can help mitigate potential penalties and interest.

Consequences of Missing the Extended Deadline

Missing the extended filing deadline can lead to financial repercussions. The failure-to-file penalty is 5% of unpaid taxes for each month or part of a month the return is late, up to a maximum of 25%. If a return is over 60 days late, a minimum penalty applies: the lesser of $485 (for 2024) or 100% of the tax shown on the return.

A failure-to-pay penalty may also be assessed if taxes were not paid by the original due date. This penalty is 0.5% of unpaid taxes for each month or part of a month, also capped at 25%. If both penalties apply in the same month, the failure-to-file penalty is reduced by the failure-to-pay penalty, ensuring the combined monthly penalty does not exceed 5%. Interest is also charged on underpayments from the original tax due date until paid in full. The interest rate (federal short-term rate plus three percentage points) is set quarterly and compounds daily.