Resource Category: Tax Documents & How-Tos

File Your Tax Extension Online

If you need to file a tax extension, the best way to do so is to file it online. If you’re wondering where to go, we can help you on your search. Luckily, we have found an excellent place to go to file an electronic IRS tax extension form.

Using FileLater.com

Determined to make the process of filing your tax extension electronically as easy as possible, FileLater has streamlined the process. The great thing about this website is you can also use it to calculate your tax status.

Filing your tax extension electronically with FileLater will help if you owe money on your taxes. You can then use the service to also submit a payment to the IRS. This really cuts into the problem of them adding interest to your future payments. FileLater takes care of all this to save you time and headache.

If you own a business you can also use FileLater to file your business tax extension electronically. The process is much the same as personal taxes. They charge a little bit more as it is a little bit more complicated, but it can be worth it in the long run.

One of the best places to go to file tax extensions electronically is through FileLater. They can take all the irritation out of filing your forms and make sure everything is correct. This is important as any errors when you file tax extensions can mean big problems from the IRS!

One great thing about FileLater is they can help you with both personal and business tax extensions. While you could go through the IRS for some of these features, if you need to file tax extensions electronically and take care of other tax issues you’d be out of luck. On top of that, your business tax extensions would take much longer. With FileLater, much of the work is taken care of.

What Do I Need to E-File a Tax Extension?

You don’t need too much information to file a tax extension electronically. The main thing you’ll need is your personal information. This includes your name, address, and Social Security Number.

Now, you also need to calculate if you’ll be getting either a tax refund or if you will owe taxes. FileLater provides you with a handy tax calculator for this very purpose. Also, if you do in fact end up owing the IRS money, FileLater will show you how to make payments to avoid extra fees. You’ll do this after you file your tax extension electronically.

Do It Yourself?

If you’d rather do the work yourself, other websites will let you file your tax extension electronically. They will have the form right there handy for you to fill out. However, the main problem with these is you’ll have to figure out any tax you might owe by yourself before you file your tax extension electronically.

Some websites allow you can to download and print the tax extension form from their website. This is just in case you’d rather send it in through the mail instead of filing your tax extension electronically. However, it’s much easier to file it through a tax service like FileLater. It takes much less time and should be more secure.

Filing Your Personal Tax Extension Online

Are you ready to electronically submit your personal tax extension (IRS Tax Form 4868)online using the FileLater system, which will extend your filing deadline for six months (until October) for your income tax return (Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ)?

Congratulations! You will give yourself until October to file your income taxes. This article explains the steps you will need to take to file a tax extension online with the IRS-approved FileLater system.

Step 1

The IRS requires that you provide some personal information in order to request a tax extension online. This includes your name, address, Social Security Number (or ITIN) ― and the same information for your spouse if you are married filing jointly. Tax forms (including W-2s, 1099s, and prior year returns) are not required to get a tax extension. Additionally, you can be confident that all of your data is kept secure and shared only with the IRS

Step 2

In order to get a tax extension, you must estimate whether you expect to owe taxes or get a tax refund. Don’t worry, this isn’t as complicated as it may sound. You can use FileLater’s helpful tax calculator to estimate your situation. Note that many taxpayers simply assume a similar tax situation to the previous year. If you expect to owe any tax, you will want to make a payment to avoid potential interest and late payment penalties assessed by the IRS. FileLater can also help you make a payment directly to the IRS via Electronic Funds Withdrawal (EFT) directly from your bank account.

Step 3

Once you submit your tax extension using FileLater, the system will immediately electronically file (e-file) Tax Form 4868 to the IRS for approval. Note that FileLater is an authorized IRS e-file provider, which means that your transaction and your information are completely secure.

That’s All It Takes

A few days after you submit your tax extension request, FileLater will send you a confirmation email notifying that your tax extension (Form 4868) has been approved by the IRS. If, for any reason, your tax extension request is denied, FileLater will tell you why ― and you can resubmit for free after making the necessary changes. Keep in mind, nearly all rejections are caused by mistakes (misspellings or Social Security Numbers that don’t match IRS records). As long as you submit your information accurately and on-time, your tax extension will likely be approved ― which is why the IRS calls it an “automatic extension.”

Reasons to File Your Tax Extension Online

Does it seem like the U.S. tax code is getting more and more complicated every year? If it feels like filing an income tax extension is more trouble than it’s worth, think again ― you can file it online in just a few minutes.

Here are five reasons why you should e-file your tax extension:

1. E-Filing Your Tax Extension Is Paper-Free. Save a tree and save yourself the hassle of filling out paper tax forms by using FileLater’s convenient e-filing system. No extra documents to deal with ― just a simple electronic form.
2. E-Filing Is the Only Way to Get IRS Confirmation That Your Tax Extension Has Been Approved. The FileLater system will keep track of your electronic tax extension request and inform you when it has been approved by the IRS. On the other hand, if you file a paper tax extension request (Form 4868 for individuals or Form 7004 for businesses), there’s no way of knowing whether your extension has been approved or not.
3. E-Filing a Tax Extension Is Fast and Easy. With FileLater, your tax extension form can be filled-out and submitted in just minutes. Individuals may receive an additional six months to file, while businesses may get 5 or 6 months. Requesting a tax extension can help relieve your April (or March) filing burden without breaking a sweat.
4. Electronic Filing Is the Preferred Method of the IRS. Everyone is going paperless these days, and the IRS is no exception. Over 120 million people filed their taxes electronically last year. FileLater is an authorized IRS e-file provider. With the FileLater system, you can securely e-file Form 4868 (or Form 7004) online. The IRS also recommends that taxpayers e-file their returns because it generally results in a faster tax refund.
5. With E-Filing, Nothing Gets Lost in the Mail. No more standing in line at the post office on tax day! When you e-file your tax extension request, you don’t have to worry about it slipping through the cracks in the chaos of tax season. And by using FileLater, you will get an official IRS confirmation of your tax extension and you’ll know that your tax forms are in good hands.

How to File a Tax Extension

In order to obtain a tax extension for filing your income taxes, a taxpayer must complete and return the IRS Tax Form entitled “Application for Extension of Time to File U. S. Individual Income Tax Return” (Tax Form 4868).  The form can be completed online, or you can use a paper form and mail it to the appropriate IRS office by April 15th (see list of addresses on Page 4 of Form 4868).

Tax Extension Form 4868 is quite simple to complete.  Have your income tax return from the previous calendar year handy to estimate the amount of taxes you owe for the current year, provided your income hasn’t substantially changed and provided you still anticipate the same number of exemptions.  Also, if you are an hourly or salaried employee, have your W-2 Form available for reference.

Part I of Tax Extension Form 4868 is basic information ― your name, your address, your Social Security Number (as well as the Social Security Number of your spouse, if you plan to file a joint tax return).

In Part II of Tax Extension Form 4868, you will need to estimate the total tax liability for the previous calendar year and enter that figure into the appropriate field.  If you want to avoid paying any interest or penalties, estimate this figure a little higher than you anticipate.

Next, consult your W-2 form if you are an hourly or salaried employee and enter the amount of taxes you’ve already withheld for the preceding calendar year.  If you are self-employed, enter the amount of taxes you’ve already paid in the preceding year.  Then, simply subtract the amount of taxes already paid from the anticipated taxes owed ― the balance is the amount of income taxes you expect to owe for the previous year.

On the line immediately following “Balance Due” on the Tax Extension Form, enter the amount you will be including with the your Application for Extension of Time to File, whether all or part of the anticipated taxes owed.

The last couple of lines on Tax Extension Form 4868, Section II, ask whether you are a United States Citizen or resident and are living outside the U.S. or Puerto Rico at the time the income tax return is due.  If you are out of the country when the time the income tax return is due, April 15th, you do not need to file for a tax extension ― you are automatically granted 2 extra months to file your tax return.  However, if you complete Tax Extension Form 4868 and check the box indicating you are out of the country, you will be allowed a tax extension until October 15th.

The final entry in Section II of Tax Extension Form 4868 is for those individuals who normally file Tax Form 1040NR or Tax Form 1040NR-EZ and do not receive wages subject to U. S. income tax withholding.

How to Get a Tax Extension?

It is easier to get a tax extension than many people believe. Once you know how to do it, you will be able to apply for an extension anytime it is necessary. While it is not a good idea to rely on filing extensions every year, you never know when you are going to need a little bit extra time to file your tax return.

Before we go any further, it is important to remember this one important detail: a tax extension only gives you more time to file your return. It does not give you more time to pay any taxes that you might owe. Your payment must still be submitted by the original due date of your tax return (typically April 15th).

If you need to apply for a tax extension, the following five steps will help you:

1. Determine whether or not you are going to owe more taxes. 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.
2. 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.
3. File Tax Form 4868 with the IRS. 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 15th. Note that Form 4868 can be filed electronically or by paper mail.
4. Pay all or part of the income tax that you owe. 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.
5. File your tax return by the new due date. Now that you have filed for a tax extension, your new deadline is October 15th of the same year. While six extra months may seem like a long time, you still shouldn’t want to wait until the last moment to file.

The IRS makes it easy to get a tax extension and does not require information on why you need more time to file. If you are interested in requesting an extension, the above steps can help guide you.

Who is Eligible for a Tax Extension?

Almost everyone qualifies to file for an income tax extension. The IRS doesn’t ask you to submit any explanation of why you want or need an extension. Almost all rejected extensions are the result of submitting incorrect information, such as a name and social security number that do not match IRS records.

Any taxpayer who needs to file a Form 4868 can do so. There is virtually no restriction when it comes to personal taxpayers. The IRS realizes that some people just can’t make the date and need more time for their taxes.

The main caveat for successfully filing your Form 4868 tax extension is the information needs to be correct. If anything is wrong on your file then the IRS will reject your form. Also make sure your information is up to date. If you submit old info like an old address then you may get a rejection letter from the IRS about your Form 4868 tax extension.

The Form 4868 tax extension is considered an “automatic.” That means that if you submit your form with the accurate information then the IRS will give you the extension you need without any fuss.