How to apply for a tax extension

In 2020, many taxpayers must have sighed with relief when the IRS pushed the due date for federal income taxes from April 15 to July 15 due to the confusion brought on by COVID-19. Depending on where we live, many of us have been dealing with product shortages, layoffs, sudden isolation and trying to figure out how to deal with the new normal.

But time is ticking, and two years later, the tax deadline is back in mid-April (April 18 for most states and April 19 for Maine and Massachusetts). So what do you do if you can’t declare your taxes by then?

One thing you won’t do is panic. You can still apply for an extension – and that won’t take long.

If you are an individual (and we assume you are), you can easily apply for an extension online. Filling out form 4868 to use The IRS’s Free File program. (Additional time is free, regardless of your income level.) Here are some things to keep in mind:

• When you go to the page on the IRS site that offers Free File extensions, you will be faced with several possible service options. It might be worth a look at all of them as they handle forms differently and you might feel more comfortable with a particular service. Whichever you choose will be free.
• You may also need to complete a state extension form. Some of the services in the IRS Free File program should address this as well; If not, you can check with your state tax office to find out.
• After you apply for an extension, you will have until October 17 to file.
• You will still need to estimate how much you owe the government and pay the amount due.
• If you know you will owe taxes and you decide to pay all or part of it through tax, Direct Payment, Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)or a credit or debit cardYou can indicate that the payment is for an extension and you also don’t even need to fill out a form.
• If you prefer to mail a printed form, you can find a PDF to print here. By April 18 (April 19 if you’re from Maine or Massachusetts) you’re on time as long as you have a postmark.

Good luck!

Update Jan 19, 2022 at 3:20 PM ET: This article was originally published on July 14, 2020 and has been updated to change the dates and other information for the 2021 tax year.