How to File for a Late Extension for Your Tax Returns
- 1). Mail IRS Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to the address designated in the directions for Form 4868. The extension will extend the due date for your return until Oct. 15. If the IRS approves your extension, keep in mind that an extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay. The IRS will still expect payment in full on April 15. If you are unsure of how much you owe because you haven't completed your return, the IRS advises that you estimate your tax owed and mail the estimated amount. The IRS will assess interest and a penalty on any tax not paid on or before April 15. The Failure to Pay penalty is one-half of 1 percent of the tax due for each month it is unpaid. Form 4868 must be filed before April 15 in order to be approved.
- 2). Submit your Form 4868 electronically when you e-file your return. The IRS will forward you a confirmation receipt for your Form 4868 once the return is accepted. Your online tax preparation software will prompt you to complete a Form 4868 and send it along with your e-filed return. If you file your extension online, you are not required to mail a copy to the IRS. Keep a copy for your records.
- 3). File IRS Form 2350, Extension of Time to File U.S. Income Tax Return if you live overseas and are filing Form 2555, Foreign Earned Income and need an extension in order to meet the residency test required by the country in which you are living. If you are an American citizen or resident alien living outside the U.S., you are automatically afforded an additional two-month extension of time to file your tax return.
- 4). Pay the IRS any tax you owe by paying online or mailing a check to the IRS. You can use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS.gov) to make payments for free or use Official Payments Corporation (officialpayments.com) or Link2Gov Corporation (PAY1040.com) to make federal payments online and pay a convenience fee. If you cannot afford to pay the tax in full, complete IRS Form 9465 to request an installment agreement whereby you pay a monthly agreed upon amount until the tax is paid in full. You can file online by accessing the IRS's Online Payment Agreement Application.
