File a Federal Tax Extension

In this article, you will learn what a Federal Tax extension is, who can benefit, when to file an extension, and how to file an extension.

What is a Federal Tax Extension?

A federal tax extension is when the IRS gives you an additional 6 months to file your taxes. Just a heads-up: filing a tax extension gives you extra time to file, but not to pay. If you think you’ll owe taxes, it’s a good idea to estimate and pay them by your regular deadline to avoid any penalties. You can find more details about this below!

The due date is the same across the US, but there are a few exceptions.

If you’re serving in a combat zone or on active duty outside the US or Puerto Rico, you might qualify for an automatic 2-month extension. This means your due date could move to June 15 (depending on the tax year), and you won’t need to file Form 4868. However, you might want to file Form 4868 to get an additional 4 months.

When to file

As of now, the tax filing deadline is April 15th, 2026. But if you're not quite ready, no sweat—you can request a Federal Tax Extension and get an extra six months to file your return. The IRS gets it—life happens. Maybe you were too busy making money to book time with your tax pro, or your receipts decided to play hide-and-seek. Whatever the reason, you've got options—and we’re here to make sure you use them wisely.

Whatever the reason, you can request a Federal Tax Extension on or before the deadline of April 15th, 2026. And here’s some good news—you don’t need to explain why, unless the IRS declines your original request (which rarely happens). In that case, you might need to look into a second tax extension, though it’s not commonly required.

Who Can Benefit from Filing a Federal Tax Extension?

If you earned income or had taxable income in the U.S., filing a Federal Tax Extension could be a smart move. Missing the deadline might mean interest and penalties from the IRS, but filing on time—or getting an extension—keeps you in control.

• Interest

Even if you file a Federal Tax Extension, the IRS still charges interest on any unpaid balance until you pay it off in full. That’s why it’s smart to send a payment if you know—or even think—you’ll owe. It could save you from a surprise bill (and a headache) later.

• The late payment penalty

If you miss the regular tax deadline, which is April 15th, 2026, there’s usually a 1% late payment penalty on any unpaid taxes (except estimated taxes). Requesting a federal tax extension can help you avoid late filing penalties if you pay any tax due when you file the extension.

• Failure to file penalty.

File late, and the IRS starts charging you for it. The failure-to-file penalty kicks in based on how overdue your return is and how much tax you owe. Typically, it’s 5% of your unpaid balance for each month (or part of a month) you’re late, up to a max of 25%. Ouch, right? File on time or file an extension to steer clear of that mess.

If you anticipate owing taxes, send a full or partial payment to the IRS with Form 4868. You can send an electronic payment on the IRS Website. Alternatively, you can pay with a check or money order. When paying by check or money order with Form 4868, use the appropriate address in the middle column under Where To File a Paper Form 4868. If you would like to e-file your extension, we can help!

How to File a Federal Tax Extension

Now that you know that there is a way to get an extension, how do you do it? One option is for you to fill out Form 4868 and mail it. With technology changing and to make life easier, the IRS prefers that you e-file (electronic file). We can assist you with filing a Federal Tax Extension here in just a few minutes. Let it be clear that Form 4868 is only for individuals filing a regular 1040 return, which applies to most taxpayers. If you need to file a federal tax extension for business, use Form 7004, which includes partnerships and multiple-member LLCs, S corporations, and C corporations. Filing an extension for a business has different implications not covered in this article.

Even though filing a Federal Income Tax Extension allows you to file your Taxes by October 15th, 2025, the IRS encourages you to file as early as possible. Additionally, when you are ready to file your return, you don't need to include Form 4868 that was filed. However, be sure to account for any payments that you made when you file Form 4868.

We understand that tax filing can be intimidating and a bit confusing. We are here to help, and we understand that the information provided above is consistent with most taxpayers, but that there are always unique situations. Remember that we are here to assist you. Feel free to Contact Us with any questions regarding your Federal Tax Extension.