Filing for a Tax Deadline Extension
If you can't complete your federal tax return by the deadline, find out how to file for an extension with these tips from TurboTax.
Need more time to file your 2012 tax return?
If you can't complete your 2012 federal tax return by the deadline (April 15, 2013), you can buy yourself more time. Just file for an extension to push the deadline back six months to Oct. 15, 2013, and avoid late-filing penalties from the IRS.
There's a catch, though. The extension only pushes back the due date for the paperwork. If you owe money, you’ll have to estimate the amount, file for your extension and make your estimated payment by April 15.
How to file for an extension
1. File online in minutes with TurboTax Easy Extension.
File for an extension and pay any income tax due by April 15 using our TurboTax Easy Extension Web service. With TurboTax Easy Extension, you can:
- E-file for your federal tax deadline extension
- Pay any tax that’s due, right from your checking or savings account
- Print a PDF copy of the extension you e-filed
- See when your extension has been accepted
- Access the forms you need to file for a state tax deadline extension by mail
2. Print the extension form, fill it out by hand and mail it to the IRS.
Refer to IRS Form 4868: Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. Print the form and instructions. Fill out the form and send it to the IRS address for your state.
If you owe federal taxes, include your payment with your Form 4868 and mail it. Make sure that it’s postmarked by April 15 (If you don't make a payment for the taxes due, you could be liable for penalties and interest, even if you've filed for an extension.) Then, complete and file your return by Oct. 15.
Need to use a credit card to pay taxes owed?
If you've e-filed or mailed Form 4868 and need to pay by credit card, you can use one of several IRS-approved electronic payment methods. You can pay with your credit card online or by phone. File your return by Oct. 15.
Cautions
- If the IRS thinks your estimate of the amount of tax you owe is unreasonable, it may disallow your extension and assess a late-filing penalty.
- If you underestimate the amount of tax you owe, you'll have to pay interest on whatever amount you fail to pay by April 15.
- If you pay less than 90 percent of the tax you owe, you'll end up owing a penalty of 0.5 percent of the underpayment every month until you pay the balance. For example, if you pay $600 on April 17 but discover when you complete your return that you really owe $1,000, you will owe 0.5 percent per month on the $400 that is overdue (about $2 a month) until you pay the balance in full.
If you live outside the United States
If you live outside the United States, you may be able to get an extension by filing Form 2350: Application for Extension of Time to File U.S. Income Tax Return if you believe that you will qualify for special tax treatment. See IRS Publication 54: Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad to find out whether this form might help you.
Do you need to request a state tax deadline extension?
Guidelines for state tax deadline extensions vary. To see detailed information about deadlines and mailing addresses for your state, visit the Federation of Tax Administrators’ website.
Remember that TurboTax Easy Extension can help you access the forms you need to file for a state tax deadline extension by mail.
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