Need extra time to file your federal taxes? A tax extension can give you an additional six months to complete your filing. However, keep in mind that it only extends the filing deadline, not the payment deadline. If you owe taxes, the IRS still expects payment by the original due date to avoid interest and penalties.
This guide explains generally how tax extensions work, how to file one, and what to know if you’re late.
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What Is a Tax Extension?
A tax extension is a formal request to the IRS for more to file your federal tax return. The standard federal tax deadline is typically April 15 each year, but when that date falls on a weekend or a holiday, the deadline shifts to the next business day.
By filing for an extension, you extend your filing deadline by six months—generally until October 15 of the same year.
✏️ Example:
- For the 2024 tax year, the filing deadline is April 15, 2025. With an approved extension, you’ll have until October 15, 2025 to file.
- For the 2025 tax year, the standard deadline is April 15, 2026. With an approved extension, that deadline moves to October 15, 2026.
More Time to File, Not More Time to Pay
This is where many people get confused: a tax extension only extends your filing deadline, not your payment deadline. Even if you request for an extension, the IRS still expects you to pay your estimated tax liability by the original filing deadline (usually April 15). If you don’t pay at least a reasonable estimate of what you owe, the IRS may hit you with late payment penalties and interest charges on the unpaid balance. Filing late is one thing, but paying late can result in substantial penalties over time.
📌 Also read: When Are Taxes Due? Important Deadlines for the 2024 & 2025 Tax Years
How to File a Tax Extension
To request more time to file, you must submit Form 4868 to the IRS either electronically or through mail by the federal tax filing deadline. If you miss the deadline, your extension request will not be accepted. If approved, you’ll get an additional six months to file your taxes.
✅ Filing by Mail: The IRS considers your extension on time if your envelope is postmarked by the federal tax deadline.
✅ Filing Online: If you submit electronically, it must be sent before midnight in your local time zone on the deadline day.
Do I Need to Pay to Get an Extension?
No, your tax extension is usually approved even if you don’t pay your estimated taxes. But failing to pay by the original deadline means you’ll owe late-payment penalties and interest on any unpaid taxes.
📝 Note: A tax extension only gives you more time to file. It does not extend your payment deadline.
What Happens if I Miss the Deadline?
When you request a tax extension, you must still estimate and pay as much of your tax bill as possible by the original deadline. Otherwise, the IRS may charge penalties and interest on the unpaid amount.
📝 Tip: Paying at least 90% of your total tax bill by April 15 usually helps avoid late-payment penalties. Use a tax software or Form 1040-ES with an accountant to estimate accurately.
Penalties
If you miss the deadline to file or pay your taxes on time, the IRS will send you a notice stating that you owe either the Failure to File Penalty or the Failure to Pay Penalty.
❌ Late-Filing Penalty
Didn’t file by the deadline and didn’t request an extension? The IRS may charge 5% of unpaid taxes per month, up to 25% total. If you’re over 60 days late, the minimum penalty is $510 or the total tax owed—whichever is less.
❌ Late-Payment Penalty
Filed on time (or got an extension) but didn’t pay in full? The penalty is 0.5% per month, up to 25% of the balance. You can avoid this if you pay at least 90% of your estimated taxes by April 15 and the remainder by the extended deadline.
If you’re unable to pay in full, the IRS offers payment plans to help reduce penalties.
📝 Reminder: Interest still accrues on unpaid taxes, even if you’re on an IRS payment plan.
Interest Charges
Beyond penalties, the IRS also charges interest on unpaid taxes, starting from the original due date and continuing until the balance is paid in full.
If you overpaid your taxes, the IRS may owe you interest, but only if they take more than 45 days to issue your refund.
Interest rates change year to year, so here are the interest rates for 2025:
📌 Note: You can view the interest rates charged for other tax periods on the IRS website here.
| Interest categories | 1st quarter of 2025(Jan–Mar) | 2nd quarter of 2025(Apr-Jun) |
| Non-corporate overpayment (for example, individual) | 7% | 7% |
| Corporate overpayment | 6% | 6% |
| Underpayment (corporate and non-corporate) | 7% | 7% |
| GATT (part of a corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000) | 4.5% | 4.5% |
| Large corporate underpayment (LCU) | 9% | 9% |
| Internal Revenue Code (IRC) 6603 deposit (federal short-term rate) | 4% | 4% |
Automatic Tax Extensions
Some individuals may qualify for an automatic extension without filing Form 4868.
✅ Living Abroad: US citizens or residents living outside the US at the time of tax-filing deadline may receive an automatic two-month extension to file.
✅ Military Members: Active-duty members serving overseas or in combat zones may qualify for additional time to file and pay, depending on their location and deployment status.
✅ Disaster Relief: The IRS may extend tax deadlines for those in FEMA-declared disaster areas. Extension dates vary by location and are announced by the IRS.
Extended Deadlines for Disaster Relief States in 2025
As of 2025, the IRS has granted federal tax filing and payment extensions to individuals and businesses in areas affected by federally declared disasters.
If you live or run a business in an affected county, you may qualify for extra time to file and pay federal taxes.
📌 Check the latest IRS disaster relief extensions here.
| State | Affected Counties | Extended Deadline |
| Louisiana, Vermont, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands | Entire state/territory | February 3, 2025 |
| Texas | Anderson, Angelina, Aransas, Austin, Bowie, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Calhoun, Cameron, Camp, Cass, Chambers, Cherokee, Colorado, Dewitt, Fayette, Fort Bend, Freestone, Galveston, Goliad, Gregg, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Hidalgo, Houston, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Lavaca, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Marion, Matagorda, Milam, Montgomery, Morris, Nacogdoches, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Panola, Polk, Refugio, Robertson, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Shelby, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Washington, Webb, Wharton, Willacy | February 3, 2025 |
| Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington | Parts of the state | February 3, 2025 |
| Missouri | Barry, Bollinger, Butler, Carter, Howell, Madison, McDonald, New Madrid, Oregon, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard, Texas | February 3, 2025 |
| Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina | Entire state | May 1, 2025 |
| Alaska, New Mexico, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia | Parts of the state | May 1, 2025 |
| California | Los Angeles County | October 15, 2025 |
| Kentucky | Entire state | November 3, 2025 |
International relief:
| Location | Affected Taxpayers | Extended Deadline |
| Israel, Gaza, West Bank | Taxpayers in affected areas | September 30, 2025 |
📌 Note: If you’re a resident in these states and have questions, check out this list of frequently asked questions for taxpayers affected by disasters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a penalty for requesting a tax extension?
No, requesting a tax extension does not result in a penalty. Just remember: it extends your time to file, not time to pay. To avoid late-payment penalties, aim to pay at least 90% of your estimated taxes by the original deadline. Otherwise, you may face late-payment penalties and interest.
What are the penalties for not paying my taxes on time?
✅ Filed an extension but didn’t pay in full: The late-payment penalty is 0.5% per month, up to 25% of the unpaid tax.
❌ Didn’t file or request an extension: The late-filing penalty is 5% per month, up to 25% total. If you’re more than 60 days late, the minimum penalty is $510 or 100% of your tax due—whichever is less.
How much does it cost to file a tax extension?
Filing a tax extension is completely free. Just submit Form 4868 to the IRS by the federal tax deadline.
What if I miss the extension deadline?
You won’t get extra time to file. Submit your tax return as soon as possible to reduce penalties and interest.
How long does a tax extension last?
An approved extension gives you six additional months to file. For the 2024 tax year, that moves the deadline from April 15, 2025 to October 15, 2025.
How do I know if I paid enough to avoid penalties?
Use Form 1040-ES, tax software, or consult a tax professional to estimate your tax liability. The IRS typically waives late-payment penalties if you’ve paid at least 90% of what you owe by the original deadline. Note that interest still applies on any unpaid amount.
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