IRS Tax Tips

IRS Tax Tips

May 5, 2021

Issue Number: COVID Tax Tip 2021-62

Filing season reminder: An extension to file is not an extension to pay taxes

For most individual taxpayers the tax filing and payment deadline was postponed to May 17. Those who need more time to file beyond the postponed date, can request an extension to file.

Taxpayers must request an extension to file by May 17, or they may face a failure to file penalty. This extension gives them until October 15 to file their tax return. An extension to file is not an extension to pay. Taxes must be paid by May 17 to avoid penalties and interest on the amount owed after that date.

How to request an extension to file

To get an extension to file, the IRS urges taxpayers to do one of the following:

File Form 4868 through their tax professional, tax software or by using Free File on IRS.gov.
Submit an electronic payment with Direct Pay, Electronic Federal Tax Payment System or by debit, credit card or digital wallet and select Form 4868 or extension as the payment type.

An automatic extension of time to file will process when taxpayers pay all or part of their taxes electronically by the Monday, May 17 due date.

Some taxpayers may have extra time to file their tax returns and pay any taxes due. This includes some disaster victims, taxpayers living overseas, including members of the military, and eligible support personnel serving in combat zones.

More information:

IRS extends additional tax deadlines to May 17 What Is the Due Date of My Federal Tax Return or Am I Eligible to Request an Extension?
Tax Topic 653, IRS Notices and Bills, Penalties, and Interest Charges

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