DC — District of ColumbiaDistrict of Columbia Personal Income Tax Extension — What You Need to Do
The District of Columbia extends your personal income tax filing deadline to October 15, 2026 — but unlike most states, DC does not accept the federal extension. Filing a federal extension (IRS Form 4868) extends only your federal return — it does NOT extend your DC deadline. To get more time in DC, you must file DC Form FR-127 by April 15. Any DC tax you owe must also be paid by April 15 — penalties and interest run from that date.
District of Columbia Extension Checklist — 2026
Three things to handle. One deadline that drives them all.
Secure Your Extension
File a federal extension (IRS Form 4868) for your federal return — but this does NOT extend your DC deadline. To get more time in DC, submit DC Form FR-127 by April 15 instead.
Pay Any District of Columbia Tax You Owe
DC’s extension covers filing — not payment. A 5%-per-month failure-to-pay penalty (up to 25%) plus interest apply to any unpaid balance from April 15. Pay as much as possible by April 15.
ACH Debit Online
mytax.dc.gov
MyTax.DC.gov, the DC Office of Tax and Revenue portal. Direct bank payment, no fee.
Credit / Debit Card
MyTax.DC.govPay by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or Amex through MyTax.DC.gov — a convenience fee applies.
File Federal + District of Columbia Return
File your federal return and add your District of Columbia return — Form D-40 — in the same session. Filing sooner means a faster refund. Your extended DC deadline is October 15.
Start Federal + District of Columbia Return →
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District of Columbia Late Penalties — What It Costs to Wait
A valid extension gives you until October 15 to file. But unpaid tax starts accruing penalty and interest the day after April 15.
| Penalty Type | Rate | Cap | Trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Failure to Pay | 5% per month | 25% | Unpaid balance not paid by April 15 |
| Failure to File | 5% per month | 25% | Return filed late without Form FR-127 |
| Interest | ~10% per year | No cap | Accrues on unpaid tax from April 15 |
District of Columbia State Extension Details
| Extension Type | FR-127 Required (federal 4868 not accepted) |
| Original Filing Deadline | April 15, 2026 |
| Extended Filing Deadline | October 15, 2026 |
| Extension Period | 6 months |
| Extension Form | Form FR-127 with full payment, by April 15 |
| Return Form | D-40 (resident / part-year resident) |
| Federal Extension Required? | Federal Form 4868 does not extend DC — you must file Form FR-127 |
| Payment Deadline | April 15, 2026 (extension does not extend payment) |
| Online Payment Portal | mytax.dc.gov |
| State Agency | DC Office of Tax and Revenue |
| Failure to File Penalty | 5% of unpaid tax per month, up to 25% |
| Failure to Pay Penalty | 5% of unpaid tax per month, up to 25% |
District of Columbia Tax Extension — Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to do anything to get the District of Columbia extension?
Yes. Unlike most states, DC does not accept the federal extension. You must file DC Form FR-127 by April 15, 2026 to extend your deadline to October 15, 2026, and pay any DC tax you owe by April 15.
What is Form FR-127?
It’s DC’s individual income tax extension application (Extension of Time to File a DC Income Tax Return). File it by April 15 with full payment of your estimated DC tax liability — a federal Form 4868 does not extend your DC deadline.
Does the District of Columbia extension cover my federal return?
No. A DC extension (Form FR-127) only covers your DC return. For more time on your federal return, file IRS Form 4868 separately — it does not affect your DC deadline.
What if I can’t pay my full District of Columbia tax by April 15?
Pay as much as you can. A 5%-per-month failure-to-pay penalty (up to 25%) plus interest apply to the unpaid balance, so every dollar paid by April 15 lowers your total.
Which District of Columbia return form do I need?
Form D-40 is the DC individual income tax return for residents and part-year residents. It is due by the extended deadline of October 15, 2026.
How do I pay my District of Columbia extension tax online for free?
Use direct bank payment (ACH) through MyTax.DC.gov — it’s free and instant. Card payments are also available at MyTax.DC.gov, though a service fee applies.
Ready to File? Start Federal + District of Columbia
File your federal return and add District of Columbia state in the same session. October 15 extended deadline — secure, fast, with live support.