Business Tax Extensions

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• January 28, 2025
• 6 min read

Business Tax Extensions

Corporations, partnerships, REMICs, and certain trusts that need extra time to file may request a 5- or 6-month tax extension using IRS Form 7004 (Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File Certain Business Income Tax, Information, and Other Returns). Note that this is only an extension of time to file and any tax owed must still be paid by the original due date.

IRS Tax Form 7004 is the Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File Certain Business Income Tax, Information, and Other Returns. Form 7004 has three parts ― depending on the type of tax extension being requested, you must complete Part I or Part II, and everyone must complete Part III.

Corporations, including S-Corporations, operating on the calendar year for tax purposes must file for their tax extension by 11:59PM on the 15th day of the 3rd month following the close of their tax year (typically March 15). Partnerships, LLCs, and sole proprietorships have until 11:59PM on the due date of their personal income tax return (April 15) to file for their tax extension.

Corporations, multi-member LLCs, and partnerships operating on the calendar year for tax purposes are given an extended tax deadline of 5 months (generally to September 15). Sole proprietorships and single-member LLCs are given an extended due date of 6 months (October 15).

For most business types, you will simply need your Tax-ID number (EIN) to file your business tax extension (IRS Tax Form 7004). If you are filing for a single member LLC business, you should file for a personal tax extension (IRS Tax Form 4868) and use your Social Security Number, rather th≈an a Tax-ID (EIN).

Single member LLCs only need to file for a personal tax extension (IRS Tax Form 4868), which will extend both the personal and business tax deadline, since your LLC is a “pass-through entity” and your business tax return is part of your 1040 personal tax return on Schedule C.

Sole proprietors have their business tax returns flow directly to their personal tax return as a Schedule C. Therefore, you should only submit a personal tax extension, which will extend the filing deadline for both your business as well as your personal income taxes.

IRS Tax Form 7004 (Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File Certain Business Income Tax, Information, and Other Returns)

IRS Form 7004 is a tax extension for businesses, corporations, partnerships, and certain trusts. This tax form has three parts ― depending on the type of tax extension being requested, the entity must complete Part I or Part II, and everyone must complete Part III.

If you are not able to file your corporate income tax return by the original due date, you can request a tax extension by mailing Form 7004 to the appropriate address (see Instructions for IRS Form 7004) or by e-filing Form 7004 online.

Applying for a business tax extension will extend your filing deadline for the following business tax returns: Tax Form 706-GS(D), Tax Form 706-GS(T), Tax Form 1041 (estate other than a bankruptcy estate), Tax Form 1041 (trust), Tax Form 1041 (bankruptcy estate only), Tax Form 1041-N, Tax Form 1041-QFT, Tax Form 1042, Tax Form 1065, Tax Form 1065-B, Tax Form 1066, Tax Form 1120, Tax Form 1120-C, Tax Form 1120-F, Tax Form 1120-FSC, Tax Form 1120-H, Tax Form 1120-L, Tax Form 1120-ND, Tax Form 1120-ND (section 4951 taxes), Tax Form 1120-PC, Tax Form 1120-POL, Tax Form 1120-REIT, Tax Form 1120-RIC, Tax Form 1120S, Tax Form 1120-SF, Tax Form 3520-A, Tax Form 8612, Tax Form 8613, Tax Form 8725, Tax Form 8804, Tax Form 8831, Tax Form 8876, Tax Form 8924, and Tax Form 8928.

Note that you cannot e-file your tax extension request for certain tax forms ― including Form 8612, 8613, 8725, 8831, 8876, or 706-GS(D). To get an extension for these forms, you must mail a paper tax extension request (Form 7004) to the IRS.

It’s also important to remember that Tax Form 7004 does not extend the time for payment of any tax due, only the time for filing a return. An entity must estimate the amount of tax it will owe, and can pay none, all, or part of its Estimated Income Tax due using a credit card or electronic check (e-check).