Personal Income Tax Extension (Form 4868) Questions

What is the due date for filing my personal income tax extension?

Is it a problem if I submit for a tax extension before the deadline but don’t hear back by the midnight IRS deadline?

How long does it take to hear back from the IRS on approval for a personal tax extension (IRS Form 4868)?

Once my personal tax extension is approved by the IRS, when is my extended tax return due?

What personal income tax forms are extended and submitted by using FileLater?

I am in the military. Does that impact my tax filing deadlines?

I am married. Do I need to file a separate personal income tax extension for my wife?

Does filing an income tax extension allow me to delay my tax payment?

How do I determine if I owe a tax payment when I file my personal income tax extension?

Do I qualify as “Out of the Country” when I file my income tax extension?

What if I am an “Out of the Country” tax filer?

Do I need to file a personal income tax extension for my state, too?


What is the due date for filing my personal income tax extension?
You must file your 2010 personal income tax extension by midnight on April 17, 2012 in your local time zone.


Is it a problem if I submit for a tax extension before the deadline but don’t hear back by the midnight IRS deadline?
Not at all! The IRS allows a few days for you to be officially approved for a tax extension. This means that you also generally have a few days after the deadline to fix any possible errors that might cause rejection.


How long does it take to hear back from the IRS on approval for a personal tax extension (IRS Form 4868)?
You will generally hear back within 24 hours on the status of your personal tax extension. Remember that as long as you submit your extension request by midnight on the IRS deadline, your application will be marked as submitted "on time."


Once my personal tax extension is approved by the IRS, when is my extended tax return due?
Most extended personal income tax returns are due 6 months after the original filing deadline -- October 15, 2012. However, some exceptions may apply if you are living out of the country. See our FAQ pertaining to out of the country for further details.


What personal income tax forms are extended and submitted by using FileLater?
FileLater services will electronically file IRS Tax Form 4868 for your personal income tax extension. This will give you a 6-month extension for your 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 1040NR, or 1040NR-EZ tax form. FileLater can also help business owners extend their business tax returns. To learn more about business tax extensions, visit our Business Income Extensions site.


I am in the military. Does that impact my tax filing deadlines?
Please review the IRS website, which outlines the tax filing deadlines for active military personnel.


I am married. Do I need to file a separate personal income tax extension for my wife?
If you plan on filing your taxes jointly, you can include your spouse’s name on your personal income tax extension. If you plan on filing your taxes separately, you and your spouse should submit two separate tax extension applications.


Does filing an income tax extension allow me to delay my tax payment?
Although are you not required to make a payment of the taxes you estimate as due, filing a tax extension does not extend the time you have to pay taxes. If you do not pay the amount due by the regular due date, you will owe interest and could also be subject to payment penalties. See IRS late payment information for more details.


How do I determine if I owe a tax payment when I file my personal income tax extension?
FileLater services will help you determine whether you should make a tax payment when you file. You’ll have access to our simple tax calculator that helps you determine if you should make a payment, and how much of a payment is recommended.


Do I qualify as “Out of the Country” when I file my income tax extension?
"Out of the Country" means either you live outside the United States (and Puerto Rico) and your main place of work is outside the United States (and Puerto Rico), or you are in military or naval service outside the United States and Puerto Rico. If you qualify as being "out of the country" you will still be eligible for a tax extension -- even if you are physically present in the United States (or Puerto Rico) on the regular due date of your return.


What if I am an “Out of the Country” tax filer?
If, on the regular due date of your return, you are out of the country and you're a US Citizen or resident, you are allowed 2 extra months to file your return and pay any amount due without officially requesting a tax extension. For a calendar year return, the extended deadline would be June 15, 2012. FileLater will ask if you are an "out of the country" filer as part of our online application process, and we'll handle the necessary changes when we e-File your tax extension.

According to the IRS, taxpayers who are out of the country can request a discretionary 2-month additional extension of time to file their returns.To request this extension, you must send the IRS a letter explaining the reasons why you need the additional 2 months. Send the letter by the extended due date to the Internal Revenue Service Center.

Note that you will not receive any notification from the IRS unless your request is denied for being untimely.

The discretionary 2-month additional extension is not available to taxpayers who have an approved extension of time to file Tax Form 2350 (for U.S. citizens and resident aliens abroad who expect to qualify for special tax treatment).

Do I need to file a personal income tax extension for my state, too?
State regulations on tax extensions vary from state-to-state. Please visit our State Extensions guide for detailed instructions for each state.