How to E-File a Tax Extension

• admin
• January 28, 2025
• 6 min read

How to E-File a Tax Extension

If you are due a tax refund, the filing process is much less stressful because you don’t have to request extra time. On the other hand, if you owe additional money you will need to file a tax extension while also arranging to make a payment.

Obtain a copy of IRS Tax Form 4868 (Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return). This one-page form will help you get a six month automatic extension to file your taxes. You can call the IRS to request this form or print it out online. If you are working with a tax professional, they can supply you with a tax extension form as well as any others that you may need.

Fill out Tax Form 4868 (Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) and submit it to the IRS by the due date, which is April 15. Note that Form 4868 can be filed electronically or by paper mail.

It would be in your best interest to pay in full, but sometimes this is not possible. Again, you are not buying yourself more time to pay your taxes when you file for a tax extension. The longer you wait to pay, the more you will owe in late fees.

While filling out Tax Form 4868 you will need to provide personal information such as your Social Security number, address, and an estimate of the amount of tax that you owe. Since you are not filing a complete return, you can estimate your tax liability and then pay that amount.

If you are due a tax refund you do not need to file a tax extension. There is no penalty for filing late unless you owe the IRS additional money. To determine if you owe money or are due a tax refund, you will have to fill out some portions of your income tax return (i.e. Form 1040).

The IRS does not require taxpayers to explain or give reasons for their tax extension request. That being said, additional extensions are rare, though special rules may apply for taxpayers living outside the country or serving active military duty.