Form 4868 extension - IRS filing taxes by Americans
IRS Form 4868 allows taxpayers to have an automatic extension for filing taxes from April 15 (June for expats) to October 15. You must file 1040 tax returns and pay the tax liability to avoid penalties and interest charges.
Form 4868 does not grant an extension on the payment of taxes.
Using our free online US withholding income tax calculator, you can forecast how much taxes you will pay to the Internal Revenue Service.
What are the basics?
Form 4868 is an official request to the IRS for an extension of time to file your tax return.
It is called the ‘Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File’, and filing gives you an extra six months to prepare and submit your return.
Most years, tax payments are due on 15 April, even if you get an extension to file your return.
You can avoid filing Form 4868 if you make an electronic payment to the IRS for some or all of what you think you will owe.
This will give you an automatic extension of time to file.
Form 4868 is short, comprising just a few boxes and lines, but it comes with four pages of instructions and information.
Form 4868 gives taxpayers a six-month extension to file federal tax returns.
An extension for income tax returns due on 15 April would give you until 15 October to file.
To get the extension, you must submit Form 4868 by the April tax filing deadline.
Filing the IRS extension form doesn’t give you more time to pay taxes.
If taxes aren’t paid by the April tax filing deadline, interest and penalties will be charged, accruing from the original due date, even if an extension was filed.
Who uses Form 4868?
Form 4868 is for individual taxpayers, not corporations or business entities that file returns other than Form 1040.
Some taxpayers get an automatic tax extension without filing the form.
You automatically get two extra months to file your return if you’re a US citizen living abroad.
You can file Form 4868 for a further extension if you need more time beyond that.
The IRS will automatically process an extension of time to file your return when you electronically pay part or all of what you expect to owe.
Form 4868 is available to any US taxpayer who would like extra time to file their federal tax return.
Where do I get started?
You can access Form 4868 on the IRS website and complete it online, then print it out and mail it in.
You can also download the completed form and save a copy.
How to fill out Form 4868
Form 4868 only includes nine boxes, and the form comes with instructions.
Your identifying information goes in boxes one, two, and three: your name, address, Social Security number and your spouse’s Social Security number if you are married and filing a joint return.
Box four asks you to estimate how much you think you’ll owe the IRS when you complete your tax return.
Box five cites how much you’ve paid so far.
Subtract the total of what is in box five from what is in box four, and enter the result in box six.
This is how much you still owe.
Tell the IRS in box seven how much you want to pay when submitting the form.
Boxes eight and nine only apply if you are currently out of the country or filling out Form 1040-NR.
Can the extension be filed electronically?
You can use the IRS Free File website to e-file your application for an extension at no charge.
Free File offers an online application that allows you to complete tax returns on the website.
You should also be able to use tax software to file an extension.
Most reputable tax software applications offer this feature.
These programs will e-file Form 4868 for you.
Filing your extension with the software you already use to prepare your return keeps your tax data in one place.
What are the requirements?
File Form 4868 with the IRS no later than 15 April.
You do not have to give the IRS a reason for requesting an extension.
This deadline does not apply to taxpayers in natural disaster zones who qualify for automatic extensions granted as part of a federal relief package.
The IRS will only contact you after you’ve filed Form 4868 if your request is denied.
This might happen mainly if you miss the 15 April deadline.
As the Form’s name suggests, the extension is ‘automatic’ if submitted properly.
The application to extend the filing date for a state tax return is a separate process and can vary between US states.
Extension to file your taxes FAQ
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FAQ
IRS Form 4868 is the "Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return." Submitting this form allows you to extend your deadline for filing your federal income tax return by six months.
The Form 4868 only extends the time to file your tax return, not the time to pay your taxes. Any taxes owed are still due by the original filing deadline, typically April 15th. Failure to pay on time can result in penalties and interest.
You can submit Form 4868 electronically through the IRS's e-file system or by mailing a paper form. If you owe taxes, you can also make a payment online or by check when you submit your form.
Filling out Form 4868 requires fairly basic information, including your name, Social Security Number, address, and an estimate of your total tax liability, payments, and the amount you're paying with the form, if any.
Generally, you can't get a second extension using Form 4868. However, there are special provisions for certain situations, like being out of the country or in military service, where you might get extra time beyond the initial six-month extension.