Filing an extension for your taxes gives you additional months to prepare your return no matter the reason you need the extra time. Filing Form 4868 with the IRS online or by mail before the regular deadline for filing allows you more time to gather information needed to complete your form – and includes paying any balance due if applicable.
In this guide, we find out if you can File An Extension For Taxes, irs proof of extension filed, tax extension deadline 2022, and can you file an extension for taxes if you owe money.
Can You File An Extension For Taxes
You can file an extension for your taxes by submitting Form 4868 with the IRS online or by mail. This must be done before the last day for filing taxes. Filing an extension for your taxes gives you additional months to prepare your return no matter the reason you need the extra time.
What is a tax extension?
When some taxpayers ask, “How do I get an extension for my taxes?” they might be thinking of the taxes owed and not the return itself.
This question calls attention to a key distinction about what a tax extension is — and what it is not. An extension only gives you more time to finish the paperwork, not more time to pay.
Your tax payment is due on the tax deadline, which typically falls on April 15 or on the next business day if it falls on a weekend or holiday.
Is there a penalty for filing for a tax extension?
Filing a tax extension is not a bad thing. There is no penalty for filing an extension. However, not paying on time or enough, or failing to file altogether, may cost you.
After you file the extension, you’ll have until October 15 to gather your documents and finish your filing. When you complete your return, you should include the amount you’ve already paid in the payments section of your Form 1040.
Can you file a tax extension online? What ways are there?
Form 4868 is the IRS document you complete to receive an automatic extension to file your return. You can file a tax extension online in one of several ways with H&R Block. While you won’t be filling out the paper Form 4868 line-by-line, your tax extension information will be sent online to the IRS.
irs proof of extension filed
Tax day might be circled in red on your calendar, but circumstances may keep you from filing on time. Fortunately, you can request extra time to file by asking for an extension.
Extensions are available for individual returns, returns from citizens living abroad, military personnel on duty outside the United States, businesses, and tax-exempt organizations.
What do I need to know?
Remember, extending the time to file your tax return generally doesn’t extend the time to pay any taxes due.
Interest and penalties will generally start to accrue immediately after the due date. You should estimate what you think you might owe and send that amount with your extension. This may save you from being penalized for not paying timely. If you can’t pay, you should still file an extension and then review your payment options.
If you believe you’re due to receive a refund, you aren’t required to make a payment.
Penalties
The IRS can assess a failure to file penalty for filing late. Filing for an extension may help you avoid this penalty. Generally, though, if you don’t also send a payment of your estimated tax, you’ll be assessed a failure to pay penalty. If you want to appeal the penalty, follow the directions on the notice, or use IRS.gov’s Appeals Online Self-Help Tools.
I filed an extension but the IRS sent me a notice saying I didn’t
If the IRS sends you a notice assessing the failure to file penalty, you’ll need to respond with the information you have and ask it to remove the penalty. Depending on how you requested the extension, you should have documentation, such as the confirmation receipt for an electronically filed extension, or proof of mailing (a certified receipt).
If you didn’t file an extension in time, but something happened that you believe amounts to reasonable cause for not filing, you can ask the IRS to abate (remove) the penalty. You’ll need to write a statement describing what kept you from filing on time.
Extensions for individual returns
There are several ways to request an automatic extension of time to file your return.
U.S. citizens abroad
If you’re a U.S. citizen or resident alien abroad, you’re allowed an automatic two-month extension of time to file and pay. Penalties and interest are assessed from the two-month extension date (generally June 15, not April 15), if you don’t pay in full by that date.
If you qualify, you must attach a statement to your return explaining which of the following applies to you.
You’re a U.S. citizen or resident alien AND on the due date of your return:
If you still can’t file your tax return by the end of this two-month period, you can get another four months by filing IRS Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. The extension doesn’t extend the time to pay any tax due.
Service in a combat zone
If you or your spouse served in a combat zone or in a contingency operation (or are hospitalized as a result of an injury received while serving in such an area or operation), please see Extension of Deadlines in Publication 3, Armed Forces’ Tax Guide.
Extensions for business and other types of returns
Businesses can also request an automatic extension using Form 7004, Application for Automatic Extension to File. The form lists the returns that can apply for automatic extensions. The IRS grants an automatic five-month extension to some businesses (such as partnerships and trusts) and a six-month extension for many more, including corporations and S corporations.
You can file an IRS Form 7004 electronically for most returns. See the Form 7004 instructions for a list of the exceptions.
If you’re self-employed and report your business on an IRS Form 1040 return, you’d follow the extension instructions for individuals (see above).
If you’re involved with a tax-exempt organization and need an extension, see Form 8868, Application for Extension of Time to File an Exempt Organization Return for more information about applying for an automatic three-month extension.
Review the tax debt to make sure you owe it.
How will this affect me?
The IRS will send you a letter as soon as possible if it doesn’t approve your extension request.
Penalties
The IRS can assess a failure to file penalty for filing late. Filing for an extension may help you avoid this penalty. Generally, though, if you don’t also send a payment of your estimated tax, you’ll be assessed a failure to pay penalty. If you want to appeal the penalty, follow the directions on the notice, or use IRS.gov’s Appeals Online Self-Help Tools.
I filed an extension but the IRS sent me a notice saying I didn’t
If the IRS sends you a notice assessing the failure to file penalty, you’ll need to respond with the information you have and ask it to remove the penalty. Depending on how you requested the extension, you should have documentation, such as the confirmation receipt for an electronically filed extension, or proof of mailing (a certified receipt).
If you didn’t file an extension in time, but something happened that you believe amounts to reasonable cause for not filing, you can ask the IRS to abate (remove) the penalty. You’ll need to write a statement describing what kept you from filing on time.
Wait, I still need help.
The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects taxpayers’ rights. We can offer you help if your tax problem is causing a financial difficulty, you’ve tried and been unable to resolve your issue with the IRS, or you believe an IRS system, process, or procedure just isn’t working as it should. If you qualify for our assistance, which is always free, we will do everything possible to help you.
Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) are independent from the IRS and TAS. LITCs represent individuals whose income is below a certain level and who need to resolve tax problems with the IRS. LITCs can represent taxpayers in audits, appeals, and tax collection disputes before the IRS and in court. In addition, LITCs can provide information about taxpayer rights and responsibilities in different languages for individuals who speak English as a second language. Services are offered for free or a small fee. For more information or to find an LITC near you, see the LITC page on the TAS website or Publication 4134, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic List.
tax extension deadline 2022
Taxpayers Living Abroad
Although their path to a filing extension is a bit different, U.S. citizens living outside the country may also be facing an October 17 tax extension deadline. But they can request an additional, discretionary two-month extension to December 15, 2022. To get the additional two months, you must send the IRS a letter by the end of the day today explaining the reasons why you need the extra time. The IRS will let you know if the request is denied. If you don’t hear back from them, you’re good to go.
Plus, if you were outside the U.S. before April 18, you could have requested an extension beyond October 17 if you needed time to meet certain tests to qualify for an exclusion or deduction for foreign earned income or housing. This extension is generally for 30 days beyond the date that you expect to qualify for the exclusion or deduction. To request this tax extension, you had to file Form 2350 (opens in new tab) with the IRS by the due date for filing your return. Generally, if both your tax home and your abode are outside the U.S. and Puerto Rico on the regular due date of your return (April 18), the due date for filing your return for purposes of this extension is June 15. If you’re granted this tax extension, you can’t also get the discretionary two-month additional extension mentioned above.
Service in a Combat Zone
The April 18 due date for filing your tax return (and paying your tax) is automatically extended if you serve in a combat zone. There’s a two-step process for figuring the length of a combat zone extension. First, your deadline is extended for 180 days after (1) the last day you’re in a combat zone or the last day the area qualifies as a combat zone, or (2) the last day of any continuous hospitalization for an injury from service in the combat zone. Use whichever of these two dates is the latest.
Second, your tax extension deadline is pushed back beyond the first 180 days by the number of days you had left to take action with the IRS when you entered the combat zone. For example, you had 3½ months (January 1 to April 18) to file your tax return this year. Any days left in this period when you entered the combat zone (or the entire 3½ months if you entered it before the beginning of the year) are added to the 180 days.
The combat zone extension isn’t just for military personnel, either. It can be claimed by merchant marines on ships under the Department of Defense’s control, Red Cross personnel, war correspondents and civilians supporting the military.
Retirement Account Due Dates
If you’re trying to save money for retirement, you might have another due date to worry about today. First, self-employed people who requested a tax filing extension before April 18 must set up or make 2021 contributions to a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA by the end of the day.
Retirement savers who contributed too much to a traditional or Roth IRA for 2021 also have until the end of today to fix their mistake. If you asked to extend the due date for your tax return, today is the last day to withdraw any excess 2021 IRA contributions (plus any earnings). If you make it in time, you can avoid the IRS’s 6% excessive-contribution penalty.
Penalties
And speaking of penalties…if you don’t file your tax return by today’s tax extension deadline, expect the IRS to tack on a penalty. The late-filing penalty is 5% of the tax due for each month (or part of a month) your return is late. If your return is more than 60 days late, the minimum penalty is $435 (for tax returns required to be filed in 2022) or the balance of the tax due on your return, whichever is smaller. The maximum penalty is 25%.
If you have a good explanation for missing the tax extension deadline, you might be able to avoid the penalty. What’s a good reason? Think fire, natural disaster, serious illness and the like. A lack of funds, in and of itself, is not a sufficient reason for failing to file on time. If you want to request a penalty waiver, attach a statement to your return when you do file it fully explaining your reason for being late.
If you’re due a refund, then there’s not much reason to worry. The IRS won’t penalize you for filing a late return if you’re due a refund. (They’re more than happy to keep your money.)
State Tax Return Extensions
Your state may have different rules and due dates for extended state income tax returns. So, be sure to check with your state’s tax agency (opens in new tab) for the tax extension deadline where you live.
Rocky is a Senior Tax Editor for Kiplinger with more than 20 years of experience covering federal and state tax developments. Before coming to Kiplinger, he worked for Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting and Kleinrock Publishing, where he provided breaking news and guidance for CPAs, tax attorneys, and other tax professionals. He has also been quoted as an expert by USA Today, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, Reuters, Accounting Today, and other media outlets. Rocky has a law degree from the University of Connecticut and a B.A. in History from Salisbury University.
can you file an extension for taxes if you owe money
No matter how or when you file your taxes, here’s a guide to next steps.
For information on the third coronavirus relief package, please visit our “American Rescue Plan: What Does it Mean for You and a Third Stimulus Check” blog post.
Checking federal tax extension status
If you sent your extension in on time, it should be granted. To confirm receipt, it’s easiest if you use software like TurboTax Easy Extension, since you’ll get a confirmation from TurboTax within 48 hours.
Checking state tax extension status
If your state requires that you file an extension application separate from the federal tax extension application, you’ll have to contact the taxing authorities in your state to check on its status. Call the taxpayer service number and ask the service agent whether your papers arrived on time.
Paying any tax due
The standard tax extension allows you to file your tax return after the usual deadline. However, it doesn’t buy you more time to pay any taxes you may owe. That means that if you don’t pay your tax balance by the filing deadline, you’ll get hit with penalty and interest.
Even if you can’t pay it all immediately, pay as much as you can. Penalties and interest are based on how much you owe and for how long.
For example, if your tax balance is $2,000:
If you know you’re going to be out of the country on tax day, there is an automatic two-month extension that allows you to hold off filing and paying taxes without penalty, but you’ll still be assessed interest as of the day after the tax filing deadline.
For example, if you owe $2,000 in taxes and don’t pay by the due date, you’ll pay:
Note: Compounding interest results in a daily recalculation of the principal amount plus accrued interest.
Filing tax returns on time
Generally, the due date for filing your income taxes is April 15. However, in some years it can fall on a weekend or a holiday. Therefore, the tax deadline can change to April 16, 17, or even 18 depending on the situation.
If you request and are granted a federal tax extension, you typically have until October 15 to file you tax return.
When tax extensions are rejected
Even when filed before the deadline, some tax extension requests are rejected on or after that date. You’ll get notified in an email or letter from the IRS if your extension request is denied. While the reasons behind this vary, the most common ones are:
In these cases, the IRS provides a window of time—typically five days—in which you may fix issues and correct errors with your request in order to file again.
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