April 15th Tax Deadline, How To File An Extension?

The April 15 tax deadline is only days away now, and if you’re feeling like you could use just a little more time, take it. Instead of filing a return by April 15, you can opt to file a short, less than one-page form for an automatic extension until Oct. 15 with no questions asked. You’ll basically need your name, address, Social Security number, estimated taxes owed or refunded. Importantly, the IRS reminds taxpayers “an extension to file is not an extension to pay taxes.” If you owe taxes, you must send a payment to cover it or face penalties on the amount owed. Only the filing gets an extension.

How do you file for an extension?

The IRS offers the following guidance:

If you have no taxes due: Individuals, regardless of income, can use IRS Free File at IRS.gov/freefile to request an automatic six-month tax-filing extension.

Alternatively, taxpayers can file Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File. If they mail the form in, taxpayers must do so before April 15. Changes at the U.S. Postal System mean mail may take days to get postmarked and then be considered late by the IRS. If you’re short on time, go to the local post office and get a hand-stamped postmark or consider filing online.

Source: USA Today