Here’s how to file a free federal tax extension and avoid penalties

Tax procrastination occurs. However should you’re nonetheless lacking key varieties or feeling overwhelmed, you should buy extra time by submitting a free tax extension.

Almost one-third of Individuals procrastinate with their taxes, the highest causes being complexity and stress, in line with a current survey from IPX1031.

You possibly can keep away from a late-filing penalty with an extension by the federal deadline on April 18. However you continue to should pay your steadiness by the due date to keep away from a late cost penalty and curiosity. You may additionally want a separate state revenue tax extension, relying on the place you reside.

By submitting for an extension, you will have an additional six months to submit your taxes, which bumps the deadline to Oct. 16. “All it does is enable you to,” stated Invoice Smith, nationwide director of tax technical providers at CBIZ MHM’s nationwide tax workplace. 

Nonetheless, a delayed submitting means you will wait longer for a refund, he stated. As of March 17, the typical refund was $2,933, in line with the IRS.

Whereas a number of catastrophe areas qualify for computerized prolonged deadlines this season, Karla Dennis, an enrolled agent and founding father of Karla Dennis and Associates, suggests affected taxpayers additionally file for an extension by April 18.

“It was the identical in 2020 after we went by Covid,” she stated. “Sadly, IRS didn’t retool its system and plenty of taxpayers nonetheless acquired letters.”

If you cannot make the April 18 tax deadline, there are a couple of methods to file for a federal extension, with or with out a tax skilled.

One possibility is to file Kind 4868 on-line through IRS Free File, which affords free guided tax prep software program. “Anybody can go on that web site and file for the extension,” no matter revenue, stated licensed monetary planner and enrolled agent John Loyd, proprietor at The Wealth Planner in Fort Price, Texas.

One other alternative is to make an digital cost and choose “extension” as the rationale, which offers an computerized six-month extension with out submitting Kind 4868, in line with the IRS.

Nonetheless, Loyd makes use of the primary possibility to reduce the possibility of errors or confusion. “If you happen to file Kind 4868, it is very clear that you recognize precisely what you are doing,” he added.

Dennis additionally suggests submitting Kind 4868 over the cost possibility, particularly if shoppers later want proof that they did file an extension. “I’ve by no means been in a position to defend a late-filed return with somebody saying they’ve gone on-line to pay,” she stated.

Once more, you will must take separate steps to request extra time to file your state tax returns, relying on the place you reside.