Top 100 Reasons to File a Tax Extension

Stop searching for a reason to file a tax extension for either yourself or your business. We've got 100 of them right here in this list. If you need a reason to make yourself feel less like a slacker, just use one of ours!

The good news is that your don't need a reason. When you file a tax extension, the IRS doesn't ask you why you are filing one. The extension is automatic (that's reason #3 in case you're keeping track). 

1. It's easy.

2. There's less of a chance that you'll be audited by the IRS.

3. It's automatic: you don't need a reason - the IRS doesn’t ask you for one.

4. You bought or sold a house within the last year , making your life more complicated tax-wise.

5. A tax extension give you 6 more months to file your taxes.

6. More than two thirds of US taxpayers e-File their taxes these days, so why shouldn't you e-File an extension and then e-File your taxes?

7. Unemployment has made your life more complicated tax-wise and you're not sure what that means for taxes.

8. If you file a tax extension online, you can save that last stamp you have for Grandma's birthday card.

9. Taxes are just too darn complicated to figure out by April 15.

10. There's no penalty to filing an extension.

11. This is your first time ever filing taxes.

12. The good news: you had a child in 2009. The bad news: your taxes are even more more confusing.

13. You just moved and haven't had time to unpack yet.

14. First it was the holidays, then came the Superbowl, now it's time for spring cleaning. That comes before taxes.

15. Taxpayers who file a tax extension have their own special tax deadline: October 15.

16. You're a business owner who is too busy working to growing your business.

17. You like options. An extension means you have the option to file later. You don't have to necessarily wait until October 15 to file your taxes.

18. You enjoy watching everyone else stress out while you relax on April 15.

19. You thought you could do your taxes without an accountant. Boy were you wrong!

20. It's free to e-File.

21. You're going to use your CPA to file your taxes, but right now you can’t afford the rates.

22. Life is just way too complicated these days and you can’t get all of the paperwork together in time.

23. Two words: swine flu.

24. A foreclosure on your home has changed your tax profile.

25. You just became an American citizen and can't figure out where to begin with this whole tax thing.

26. It's good for the environment - when you e-File a tax extension, no paper or envelope are needed.

27. You are deployed.

28. FREE!

29. A vacation beckons - the best fares for flights were during tax season and you don't want to miss out on a great deal.

30. A divorce has made your life more complicated tax-wise.

31. There's just not enough hours in the day for both Facebook and taxes.

32. Your accountant told you to file a tax extension.

33. It's snowing. Staying in bed all day sounds like a much better idea than doing taxes.

34. Official e-File providers like FileLater get 98% acceptance rates.

35. You just flat out hate taxes.

36. Your dog ate your tax paperwork.

37. You've been audited and it's time for revenge.

38. You tried getting support from your tax software company, but they were worthless.

39. You're an entrepreneur and business taxes aren't your specialty (and you don’t want them to be).

40. Electronic Funds Withdrawal (EFW): include an electronic payment to the IRS with your extension.

41. You're out of the country and won't return until after April 15.

42. Q1 is your busy season for sales.

43. It's inexpensive, especially compared to penalties and interest.

44. You got married last year.

45. The late filing penalties for partnerships is expensive!

46. Long story, but what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

47. Your accountant hasn't slept in a week because he's so busy.

48. You're a serial entreprenuer that has several LLCs for your rental properties.

49. You can't afford to make a tax payment, but you don't want to compound the issue by not doing anything.

50. You're missing a 1098.

51. Even if you expect a refund, your taxes need to be filed.

52. As long as you know your name and Social Security Number, you can’t be rejected.

53. Avoid the long, annoying lines at the post office that happen every tax season.

54. A death in the family has made life more complicated tax-wise.

55. Almost a million Floridians file for an extension.

56. You have unresolved tax issues from past years.

57. E-Filing a tax extension means you get a confirmation directly from the IRS.

58. You haven't reconciled Quickbooks yet.

59. You moved and haven't received all of your tax documents yet.

60. Extending your corporate tax deadline means just one trip to the accountant.

61. Your business shuts down for March Madness.

62. My business partners and I just can’t find a time to meet.

63. You sold some stocks or similar investments and things are more complicated for you tax-wise.

64. Just because your business didn't make any money last year doesn't mean you get a free pass to file taxes on time.

65. It's fast - file a tax extension online in just 5 minutes.

66. You started a new business and didn't realize you are missing a lot of documents you need to file.

67. Almost half of all businesses file for a tax extension, so why shouldn't I?

68. You started a business this year and have no idea where to begin with business taxes.

69. You had no idea March 15 was the deadline for corporate taxes. Aren’t all taxes due April 15?

70. You're waiting for a K-1 for your business tax return.

71. You can't find your W2.

72. You qualify for some federal tax credits (like the housing tax credit) but can’t find good information on how to apply it.

73. Your spouse is in the military, and they're the one that normally does your taxes.

74. Your accountant is going to charge you way too much for an extension when you can do yourself.

75. Your car broke down and your CPA doesn’t make house calls.

76. You are overseas for work.

77. Your doctor told you to avoid high-stress situations. So avoiding April 15 is good for your health.

78. You don’t have an accountant and need more time to find one.

79. Your wife always handles your taxes… and she just left you.

80. You won the lottery and spent a lot of money this year. It's going to be a while until your accountant finishes going through your receipts.

81. A tax extension can be e-Filed directly to the IRS.

82. You bought a rental property within the last year.

83. Your spouse is in the process of getting their Social Security Number.

84. The lines at your local tax shop are way too long.

85. You're missing a 1099.

86. You got busted trying to do your taxes at work and don't want to risk getting fired.

87. Take advantage of new tax laws.

88. You want to wait until your accountant has more time and doesn’t have to rush.

89. Family obligations for Easter always gets in the way of getting your taxes done.

90. Baseball season starts in early April. You need to concentrate on your fantasy team.

91. You file an extension online every year. Why change now?

92. You were using tax software, and it crashed and lost your data.

93. The Masters is on TV. There's no time for taxes!

94. Your boss is making you work overtime, so you don't have time to do anything but work.

95. Your birthday is in April - you refuse to celebrate and do your taxes in the same month.

96. "Wall St 2" comes out in theaters next week, you need to wait in line for tickets.

97. The IRS deservers to wait as long as possible for putting you through this process every year!

98. Procrastination is your middle name.

99. You're not alone - more than 10 million people file for an extension each year.

100. You can't start and finish your taxes in a single day.