Can you request a tax extension today or tomorrow if you are a Texas resident? Our tax due date was extended to 6/15 due to the winter storms.

[dreadhimer]

There are a couple of significant questions I have run into that are going ton take a few weeks for me to determine.  Given I only have 2 days to file, I was trying to file extension

[macuser_22 · Accepted solution]

Yes, but only if you mail a 4868 form to the IRS and it is postmarked before the due date.  You can no longer e-file an extension.   If you are getting a refund then an extension is not really needed, and if you owe tax that that mist be paid by the filing date, the extension is only to file, not to pay.

[dreadhimer]

Thank you, macuser_22.  Makes sense. 

The only confusion I have (and I can't seem to find it in the IRS website for those effected by winter storms) is whether Form 4868 is needed if I submit an estimated payment before 6/15/21.   What if I pay, but don't submit form 4868 (not that I'm refusing to, just trying to understand)?    Here is what TurboTax says when I tried to file an extension through the app:

However, you can still file your taxes with TurboTax until October 15.  Any taxes you owe were due May 17, so we recommend paying as soon as you can to keep interest and penalties to a minimum. Our free tax calculator can help you estimate your payment.
After October 15, you won't be able to e-file and will need to print and mail paper forms.

[macuser_22]

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@dreadhimer wrote:

Thank you, macuser_22.  Makes sense. 

The only confusion I have (and I can't seem to find it in the IRS website for those effected by winter storms) is whether Form 4868 is needed if I submit an estimated payment before 6/15/21.   What if I pay, but don't submit form 4868 (not that I'm refusing to, just trying to understand)?    Here is what TurboTax says when I tried to file an extension through the app:

However, you can still file your taxes with TurboTax until October 15.  Any taxes you owe were due May 17, so we recommend paying as soon as you can to keep interest and penalties to a minimum. Our free tax calculator can help you estimate your payment.
After October 15, you won't be able to e-file and will need to print and mail paper forms.

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That TurboTax quote is simply to tell you that e-file ends Oct 15 - it has nothing to do with extensions.

Interest charged on late payments will stop when the payment is made, but late penalties for failing to either file or file for an extension will start as of the due date.    There are two late fees, interest in the tax owed that starts as of the due date whether an extension is filed or not and late penalties for failing to file the paperwork by the due date.    An extension gives you until Oct 15 to file the paperwork.

The penalty is based on the tax due,  if receiving a refund then the late penalty is zero - you just do not get your refund until you file.