Three Free And Easy Ways to File an IRS Extension

by jyorgey, posted in IRS Tax Tips
Infographic detailing three options to file an IRS extension: Pay online, use free tax software, or mail Form 4868. Includes deadlines and key steps for each option.

If you cannot meet the filing deadline and you expect to have an amount due, then you should request an extension of time to file by April 15. This gives you until October 15 to file your tax return without penalties for filing late.

But make sure you still pay any tax you owe by the April 15! The extension is only for extra time to file your return — not extra time to pay. The IRS will begin charging interest and penalties on any tax balance not paid by the April due date.

If you think that you will be getting a refund from the IRS, you do not need to file an extension at all! You have up to three years from the original deadline to file your return and claim your refund.

If you think you’ll miss the deadline because you are waiting for a Form W-2, you may be able to get that information from the Wage & Income Transcript in your IRS account.

How to get an extension

You will need the following information to fill out the extension request form:  

  • Name  
  • Address  
  • Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
  • Spouse’s SSN or ITIN (if filing jointly)  
  • Estimated tax liability  
  • Total taxes paid throughout the year, including any income taxes withheld from your wages or retirement income

Then use one of these three free and easy ways to get until October 15 to file your tax return.

Pay online and check the box

Pay the estimate of what you owe using an IRS online payment option and check the box that you are paying as part of filing for an extension. You don’t have to file a separate extension form and you’ll receive a confirmation number of your extension for your records.

Use free online tax software

Use MyFreeTaxes.com or another IRS Free File software product to electronically request an tax-filing extension. No income limits apply if you use these products just to file the extension.

Click here for instructions on how to file the extension using MyFreeTaxes.com.

Request an extension by mail

Print out Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return and send it to the IRS by mail. Mailing addresses differ by state and are listed on page 4 of the Form 4868 instructions.