I had the same question, and after clicking on "File an Extension" as mentioned in other replies and answering the few questions, I saw a link for payment options (on the page where it tells you where to mail your printed form). I clicked on the link and it took me to the IRS website to make a payment. From there, I clicked on "Pay Now with Direct Pay". There was (of course!) another link on that page about other associated forms...so I clicked it and read this:
- Use IRS Direct Pay to make a full or partial payment on your taxes in order to receive an extension without having to file Form 4868.
I looked at the FAQ's and there was this information as well:
Between January 1st and the original due date of your return, visit the main Direct Pay page and select the “Make a Payment” button. On the page that follows,
- Select "Extension” as your “Reason for Payment.” (The "Apply Payment to..." field will then start with "4868," the IRS number for the extension request form)
- Verify your identity and make a payment
If you complete this process successfully, your payment will be credited towards the tax year for which you are requesting a filing extension, and you will automatically receive the extension. You will not need to file a separate Form 4868, Extension of Time to File Your Tax Return. You can verify your extension by logging into your account.
You can pay what you expect to owe or a portion of it. However, a filing extension does not extend the deadline to pay what you owe. It only gives you more time to file your return. If you don’t pay what you owe by the original deadline, you could still owe penalties and interest.
The extension is typically until mid-October of the same year, even in years when the original return is due later than April 15. You don’t get to choose the length of a filing extension. It’s the same for most taxpayers, usually 6 months. Check our page on extension of time to file or this year's Form 4868 to be sure you don’t miss the extended deadline.
From my experience last year, if you don't go through the steps to file the extension in TurboTax desktop, it won't recognize that you actually filed the extension when you go to finish your taxes and submit. So I would go through the steps (and you'll see the amount of Federal Tax Due at the top go to zero) before going to the IRS website to pay and file the extension. That's what I plan to do!
