If you expect to owe federal taxes and cannot meet the mid-April filing deadline, it’s important to file an extension to avoid a late filing penalty.
However, keep in mind:
- Extensions must be filed by the original April deadline (typically April 15).
- An extension only gives you more time to file your return, not more time to pay.
- Any taxes owed are still due by the April deadline, even if you file for an extension.
Failing to pay on time may result in penalties and interest, so it’s best to pay as much as you can by the deadline, even if you can’t pay the full amount
Do I Need to File an Extension If I Don't Owe?
If you are due a refund, you do not need to file an extension. The IRS allows up to three years from the original filing deadline to submit your return and claim your refund.
After this three-year period, any overpayments or credits will no longer be available, and you will forfeit your refund.
Returns filed after the extended October deadline cannot be submitted electronically. Instead, they must be printed and mailed to the IRS.
How Much Time Does the Extension Allow?
Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, is used to request an additional six months to file your federal tax return.
Important: Filing an extension does not give you more time to pay any taxes owed. Your full tax payment is still due by the original April filing deadline to avoid penalties and interest.
Will Filing an Extension Prevent Me from Being Penalized?
Filing an extension can help you avoid the failure-to-file penalty, but only if you submit your return by the extended deadline (typically in October).
However, it’s important to understand that an extension does not give you more time to pay any taxes owed. If your tax balance is not paid by the April deadline, you may still face:
- Failure-to-pay penalties
- Accrued interest on the unpaid amount
To minimize penalties and interest, it's recommended to pay as much as possible by the original due date, even if you plan to file later under an extension.
How Do I File an Extension?
You must file the extension by the due date of the return. For 2025 tax returns, the deadline is April 15th, 2026. Remember, the extension only gives you more time to file - not pay. If you owe money to the IRS, the amount due is still due by April 15th.
- Log into the account
- Access Return
- Federal
- Miscellaneous Forms
- Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File
- If you wish to make a payment with your extension, click "GO TO EXTENSION PAYMENT" and add your payment information
- Review your Form 4868 pdf (printed copy)
- E-file extension
How Much Does It Cost To File an Extension?
There is no fee for filing an extension. However, if you already have information in your account, you may have been upgraded to a Classic return for which the program is requesting payment. Remove the information and file with only the Basic Information to file the extension for free.