Tax filing deadlines are always looming on the horizon. If you’re someone who’s been putting off your taxes, you might be able to extend your deadline with a few simple steps. If you have an extension, you can file your return up to six months after the original due date. You must attach a copy of the extension certificate to your return. If you do not have an extension, your return is due on or before April 15th.
Tips for filing an extension without hassle or error:
If you have until April 15th to file your taxes, but you need more time to prepare your return, you can apply for a tax return deadline extension.
To apply for an extension, you must first determine if you are eligible. If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien, you generally are eligible for an extension unless you have modified your tax return since the original due date.
If you are not a U.S. citizen or resident alien, check whether you are eligible for an automatic six-month extension based on your filing status and income as of January 1st of the year before the current tax year. You may be eligible if either:
You did not file a return because your income was below the minimum taxable amount
You were overseas at any time during the year and did not file a valid Form 8843, Claim for Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.
If neither of these two reasons applies to you, or if you want more time to prepare your return, follow these steps:
Complete Form 4868 (Application for Federal Extension of Time to File United States Tax Return). You can download it from IRS.gov or find it in Publication 519, Tax Guide for Americans with Injured Dependents. The form has instructions on how to submit it with your return package if mailed by registered mail or deposited with the post office between January 15th and March 15th.
Moreover, there are some pros to extending the tax return deadline. If you have items that you need to get processed and submitted before the original deadline, extending the deadline may give you a little more time. Additionally, if your taxes are not completed on time, extending the deadline may allow you to get them done and filed in a timely manner.
The most important thing for taxpayers to remember when considering whether or not to file for an extension is that filing an extension does not mean that they will automatically receive a refund.
The IRS has strict rules about when refunds will be issued, and extensions do not always guarantee that a taxpayer will receive their refund before the original deadline. In fact, if the IRS has any questions about a taxpayer’s taxes or income, they may decide not to issue a refund at all even if the taxpayer files for an extension.
