State
Louisiana (LA)
Original Deadline
May 15, 2026
Extended Deadline
November 16, 2026
Extension Type
✓ Automatic
State Agency
Louisiana DOR

Louisiana state flagLA — Louisiana

Louisiana Personal Income Tax Extension — What You Need to Do

Louisiana’s individual filing deadline is May 15, 2026 — later than most states. Under Act 410 of 2022, every individual filer receives an automatic 6-month filing extension to November 16, 2026 (the statutory Nov. 15 date falls on a Sunday in 2026, so it shifts to the next business day). No extension form, no federal extension required, and no request needed. The extension only postpones when you must file — any tax owed is still due May 15, 2026.

You’re automatically covered. Every Louisiana individual filer receives an automatic 6-month filing extension to November 16, 2026 — no form, no request, and no federal extension needed. Just pay any tax you owe by May 15, 2026 to avoid penalties and interest.

Extended to November 16, 2026
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Louisiana Extension Checklist — 2026

Two things to handle. No Louisiana extension form to file — the extension is automatic.

1
Due by
May 15, 2026

Pay Any Louisiana Tax Due

The filing extension doesn’t extend payment. Louisiana’s automatic 6-month extension only pushes back when you must file. Any tax you owe is still due May 15, 2026 — interest and a late-payment penalty apply to whatever remains unpaid after that date.
No fee
Bank Account via LaTAP
Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point (LaTAP)
Free online filing and payment portal from the Louisiana Department of Revenue — replaces the retired Louisiana File Online system for tax year 2022 and later.
Mail
Check with Payment Voucher (Form R-540V)

Louisiana Department of Revenue
PO Box 3550
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3550

Use this address for returns with payment enclosed.

2
Due by
November 16, 2026

File Federal + Louisiana Return

File your federal return now and add your Louisiana state return — Form IT-540 — in the same session. No extension form or federal extension copy is required. Filing sooner means a faster refund. Your Louisiana extended deadline is November 16.

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Louisiana Late Filing & Payment Penalties — What It Costs to Wait

The extension gives you until November 16 to file. But unpaid tax starts costing you money the day after May 15.

Charge Type Rate Cap Trigger
Late Filing Penalty 5% of tax due per 30 days (or fraction) 25% Return filed after Nov. 16, 2026 (no valid extension applies at that point)
Late Payment Penalty 0.5% of unpaid tax per 30 days (or fraction) 25% Tax unpaid after May 15, 2026 — applies regardless of the filing extension
Interest 10.50% per year (2026) No cap Accrues from May 15 on any unpaid balance

Example: If you owe $5,000 and don’t pay until you file in October (about 5 months, or 5 x 30-day periods, late), the late-payment penalty alone would run 2.5% ($125), plus 10.50% annual interest on the unpaid balance the whole time — all while your filing itself stays penalty-free thanks to the automatic extension. Paying by May 15 avoids the penalty and interest entirely, even if you don’t file until November.

Louisiana State Extension Details

Extension Type Automatic — No Form, No Federal Extension Required
Original Filing Deadline May 15, 2026
Extended Filing Deadline November 16, 2026 (Nov. 15 falls on a Sunday, so the deadline shifts to the next business day)
Extension Period 6 months
Extension Form None — under Act 410 of 2022, no extension request is required for tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2022
Return Form Form IT-540 (resident) / IT-540B (nonresident & part-year resident)
Federal Extension Required? No — Louisiana’s individual extension is automatic and independent of federal extension status
Payment Deadline May 15, 2026 (extension does not extend time to pay)
Online Filing & Payment Portal Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point (LaTAP)
Return Mailing Address (payment enclosed) Louisiana Department of Revenue, PO Box 3550, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3550
Return Mailing Address (no payment) Louisiana Department of Revenue, PO Box 3440, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3440
State Agency Louisiana Department of Revenue
Late Filing Penalty 5% per 30 days, up to 25%
Late Payment Penalty 0.5% per 30 days, up to 25%
Interest Rate (2026) 10.50% per year

Louisiana Tax Extension — Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to file a Louisiana extension form?

No. Under Act 410 of 2022, Louisiana automatically extends every individual filer’s deadline by 6 months — no request, no form, and no federal extension needed.

Why is Louisiana’s due date May 15 instead of April 15?

Louisiana sets its own individual income tax due date at May 15, one month later than the federal deadline and most other states — this is simply Louisiana’s statutory filing date.

Why is the extended deadline November 16 and not November 15?

The statutory extended date is November 15, but that falls on a Sunday in 2026. Louisiana law shifts the deadline to the first business day after a weekend or holiday, which is Monday, November 16, 2026.

Does the extension give me more time to pay?

No. The automatic extension only postpones your filing deadline. Any tax owed is still due by May 15, 2026 — interest and a late-payment penalty apply to whatever remains unpaid after that date, even though your return itself isn’t late until after November 16.

What if I’m due a refund?

If you’re entitled to a refund, there’s no penalty for filing later within the automatic extension window. You’ll still want to file as soon as you can to get your refund.

Which Louisiana return form do I need?

Full-year residents file Form IT-540. Nonresidents and part-year residents file Form IT-540B.

Ready to File? Start Federal + Louisiana

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