How to File a Tax Return Extension Request

Westchester tax preparation in White Plains Herman and Company CPA’s have all the answers to your personal finance questions!

Unable to file your income tax return in time? You can request an automatic six-month extension to file from the IRS using Form 4868, Application for Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. An extension allows extra time to send paperwork to the IRS, but any tax due is still payable. An accurate estimate of any tax due is required when you request an extension. You may also send a payment for the expected balance due, but this is not required to obtain the extension. Interest will be owed on any amounts not paid by the due date, plus a late payment penalty is incurred if you have paid less than 90% of your total tax by that date.

There are three ways to request an automatic extension: online, mail or phone. You can file Form 4868 and make an extension-related payment online or you can mail the form to the IRS. Form 4868 can be filed by phone anytime through the tax due date using the special toll-free phone number: 1-888-796-1074. Use Form 4868 as a worksheet to prepare for the call and have a copy of your federal income tax return available as you will need to provide certain information from it. The system will give you a confirmation number to verify that the extension request has been accepted. Note this number on your copy of Form 4868 and keep it for your records. Do not send the form to the IRS if you have filed it by phone.

As filing tax extension requests is an area of our expertise, please contact us for more detailed information on how to file an extension correctly.