Table of Contents

Form 4868: 6-Month Extension to File a Tax Return

Need more time to file taxes? Fill out IRS extension Form 4868

By Barbara Weltman

Updated February 29, 2024

Reviewed by

Lea D. Uradu

Fact checked by

Vikki Velasquez

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Taxpayers unable to file their federal income tax return by the filing deadline can apply for an extension with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 4868: Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.

The extension does not extend the time to pay taxes owed but only extends the deadline to fill out and submit the paperwork.

Key Takeaways

Form 4868 gives taxpayers a six-month extension to file federal income tax returns.
An extension for federal income tax returns due on April 15 delays the submission until Oct. 15.
Filing the IRS extension form doesn't extend the time to pay owed taxes, which are still due by April 15.
Those who need an extension must submit Form 4868 by the normal April tax filing deadline.

Reasons to Request an Extension

By obtaining the extension, taxpayers avoid any late filing penalties. A late filing penalty of 5% of the amount due for each month or part of the month is incurred if the return has missed the April filing deadline. For returns more than 60 days late, the minimum penalty is $485 or the balance due, whichever is smaller.

Some reasons taxpayers may need additional time to file income taxes include:

Missing a Schedule K-1 from a trust in which the taxpayer is a beneficiary.
Self-employed individuals may need additional time to set up and fund a simplified employee pension (SEP) retirement plan.
Taxpayers who are living or working out of the country.

Note

Certain taxpayers may file their federal tax returns online for free directly with the IRS through the Direct File program. This service is available to people who lived in the following states in 2023: Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Tax filers must submit state tax returns separately. Refer to the IRS website to see if you qualify.

Download Form 4868

All versions of Form 4868 are available on the IRS website.

Note

Depending on the U.S. state, filing Form 4868 may also provide an automatic extension for the state income tax filing deadline.

Who May File Form 4868?

Taxpayers who want more time for any reason to file federal income tax returns may use Form 4868, which includes extensions for Form 1040: U.S. Individual Tax Return, Form 1040-SR: U.S. Tax Return for Seniors, Form 1040-NR: U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return, Form 1040-PR: Self-Employment Tax Return-Puerto Rico, and Form 1040-SS: U.S. Self-Employment Tax Return.

What Information Is Required on Form 4868?

Taxpayers must provide their name, address, Social Security number, and their spouse's Social Security number if applicable. An estimate of final taxes is required, and if the taxpayer expects to owe taxes, they need to pay the balance with the form.

Does Form 4868 Give Filers More Time to Pay Taxes?

No, a taxpayer's payment is still due on the original due date, usually April 15. When submitting Form 4868 to the IRS, taxpayers should send in a payment of the estimated balance due. The IRS allows individuals to skip filling out Form 4868 entirely if they pay their estimated income tax due online or by phone using Direct Pay, EFTPS, or a credit or debit card and indicate that the payment is for an extension.

Do Taxpayers Living Abroad Need to File an Extension?

A two-month filing extension is automatically given to a U.S. citizen or resident who lives outside of the U.S. or Puerto Rico, whose place of work is outside of the U.S. or Puerto Rico, and those in the military or naval service on duty outside the U.S. or Puerto Rico.

The Bottom Line

Form 4868 is available to any U.S. taxpayer needing extra time to file their federal tax return. By completing and sending it to the IRS, they will receive a six-month tax return due date extension into October. Although the paperwork deadline is extended, owed taxes are still due by the April filing date.

Article Sources

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Internal Revenue Service. "When to File."
Internal Revenue Service. "Failure to File Penalty."
Internal Revenue Service. "Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SEP)."
Internal Revenue Service. "Direct File."
Internal Revenue Service. "Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return," Page 1.
Internal Revenue Service. "Topic No. 304 Extensions of Time to File Your Tax Return."

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