When Should you File?
Not later than April 16. If you file after this date, you
may have to pay interest and penalties.
What if you cannot file on time?
You can get an automatic 4 month extension if, by April
16 of the applicable year, you either:
- File Form 4868 or
- File for an extension by phone, using tax software,
or through a tax professional. If you expect to owe
tax with your return, you can even pay part of all of
it by direct debit or credit card (American Express® Card, Discover® Card, or MasterCard® Card). See form 4868 by going to the IRS web site (www.irs.gov) for details.
AUTION: An automatic 4-month
extension to file does not extend the time to pay your tax.
If you are a U.S. citizen or resident, you may qualify for an automatic extension of time to file without filing Form 4868 or filing for an extension by phone, using tax software, or through a tax professional. you qualify if, on the due date of your return, you meet one of the following conditions.
- You live outside the United States and Puerto Rico and your main place of business or post of duty is outside the United States and Puerto Rico.
- You are in military or naval service on duty outside the United States and Puerto Rico.
This extension gives you an extra 2 months to file and pay the tax, but interest will be charged from the original due date of the return on any unpaid tax. You must attach a statement to your return showing that you meet the requirements.
