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Tax Extension: What It Is and How to File One

Filing a tax extension on or before April 15 moves your deadline to October — but remember that an extension doesn't give you more time to pay your taxes.
Tina Orem
Sabrina Parys
By Sabrina Parys and  Tina Orem 
Updated
Edited by Chris Hutchison

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If you're not sure you’ll have it together by tax day and think you may need to file a tax extension, you're not alone. The IRS estimates that nearly 19 million taxpayers asked for extensions to file their income tax returns in 2023, and millions likely will again in 2024

Internal Revenue Service. Publication 6149. Accessed Jan 31, 2024.
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Here's everything to know about filing a tax extension in 2024:

What is a tax extension?

A tax extension is a request for an additional six months to file your federal income tax return with the IRS. In 2024, a tax extension that’s submitted by April 15 would move your filing deadline to Oct. 15.

You can submit your request for free by filling out Form 4868 through IRS Free File or by mailing a copy to the IRS. Most tax software programs will also help you e-file an extension. For your request to be valid, make sure to submit it by the April tax filing deadline.

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How tax extensions work

Filing a tax extension can be helpful for people who may be missing important tax documents or who need extra time to complete their paperwork. It can also help you avoid incurring a late-filing penalty. A common misconception, however, is that tax extensions buy you additional time to pay your tax bill.

In reality, a tax extension only pushes out your filing deadline, not your payment due date. Taxes owed are still due by the regular April deadline. If you need more time to deal with a tax bill, the IRS offers payment plans that can help you pay off your balance in increments over time.

How tax extensions work if you owe taxes

If you can’t file your return by the tax filing deadline, in addition to requesting an extension, the IRS suggests you estimate your tax bill and submit an estimated payment as soon as possible to prevent fees and interest from racking up.

Anything you owe after the deadline is subject to interest and a late-payment penalty, but you might be able to catch a break on the penalty if you pay at least 90% of your taxes owed by the deadline and pay the rest with your return. You can estimate your tax liability by using the Estimated Tax Worksheet on Form 1040-ES or using tax software

Internal Revenue Service. 2024 1040-ES. Accessed Jan 31, 2024.
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How tax extensions work if you're due a refund

The IRS does not impose a failure-to-file penalty on tax returns that are filed late if you're due a refund. However, filing a tax extension anyway if you need some extra time could be a good idea. For example, if you miscalculate and end up with a tax bill, a tax extension will get you out of that late-filing penalty.

How to file a tax extension

Submit Form 4868 to the IRS either electronically or via mail by the April tax filing deadline. If you pay the IRS an estimate of your taxes owed by tax day online, noting that your payment is for an extension, you can skip the paperwork altogether

Internal Revenue Service. 2023 Form 4868. Accessed Jan 31, 2024.
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Here are a few common ways to file a tax extension:

  • IRS Free File: The IRS partners with a nonprofit organization to provide people who have an adjusted gross income of $79,000 or less access to free, name-brand tax-prep software through Free File. Anybody — even people above the income threshold — can go to the IRS website to file a free extension online

    Internal Revenue Service. Free File: Everyone Can File an Extension for Free. Accessed Jan 31, 2024.
    .

  • Tax software: If you plan to use tax software, most providers support filing Form 4868 for tax extensions. You can simply follow the program’s instructions and see how to file a tax extension electronically. The IRS will send you an electronic acknowledgment when you submit the form.

  • Tax preparer: If you plan to work with a tax pro or other tax preparer, ask if they can file for an extension on your behalf.

  • By mail: You can apply for a tax extension on paper by filling out Form 4868 and sending it to the IRS via snail mail. Make sure to get proof that you mailed it, though, and it must be postmarked by April 15.

When do I need to file a tax extension by?

Tax day, April 15, 2024, is the last day to submit a request for an income tax extension. This gets you six more months to file your tax return.

How many tax extensions can you file?

Generally, you can't request more than one tax extension per return.

How much does a tax extension cost?

Nothing. You can file a tax extension for free by submitting Form 4868 to the IRS by the tax filing deadline.

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Tax extensions for overseas taxpayers and military members

Some people don’t necessarily need to worry about applying for tax extensions at all. Because they automatically get more time if they meet certain criteria.

  • If you’re a U.S. citizen or resident who lived and worked outside of the country on the tax filing deadline, you may automatically get two extra months to file your return and pay any amount due without having to request a tax extension.

  • People living in state counties affected by certain natural disasters may automatically get more time, too.

  • Some military members also automatically get extra time, depending on where they are and what they’re doing.

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When is the tax extension deadline?

Requesting that extension and making an estimated payment is only half the work. You still have to file your final return by Oct. 15, 2024. If you miss the October due datepenalties will accrue.

How do you file a state tax extension?

You’ll want to check your state tax department’s website for information regarding state tax extensions — each state’s rules may vary. In some states you may have to request an extension, while in others it may be automatically granted. And in certain states, a federal tax extension also serves as a state extension.

Which states have federal tax deadline extensions?

Several states have received extended federal tax-filing deadlines due to FEMA-declared natural disasters. The extension applies to federal filing and payment due dates for individual income, business, and quarterly tax filings.

As a rule of thumb, only people and businesses established in the counties the IRS recognizes as affected by the disaster are eligible for this relief. If you weren't able to meet your tax filing obligation on time because your preparer lives in the affected county, or if the paperwork you needed to complete your return was located in the disaster area, you may also be eligible. See the IRS disaster relief page for more details

Internal Revenue Service. FAQs for Disaster Victims. Accessed Jan 31, 2024.
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States and territories with extended deadlines

State

Affected counties

Extended tax filing deadline

California

San Diego County.

June 17, 2024.

Connecticut

New London County and the tribal nations of Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot.

June 17, 2024.

Maine

Androscoggin, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo and Washington counties.

June 17, 2024.

Michigan

Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne counties.

June 17, 2024.

Rhode Island

Providence County.

June 17, 2024.

Tennessee

Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Gibson, Montgomery, Robertson, Stewart and Sumner and Weakley counties.

June 17, 2024.

Washington

Spokane County.

June 17, 2024.

West Virginia

Boone, Calhoun, Clay, Harrison and Kanawha counties.

June 17, 2024.

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