Do I need to file a Federal tax filing extension to get the automatic FBAR filing extension to October 15 or do you get the FBAR extension without it?

[luigom2002]

In the IRS website you can clearly read that you have the FBAR automatic filing extension to October 15 without any specific requests. But I found in a tax comments web page that to get this you need to file for a tax filing extension. Also they said the same in one of those Tax Lawyer firms that advertise themselves on the internet.I called the IRS and they said that you get the extension automatically without any requirements. The firm insist that the persons that answer the regulatory line of the IRS and FINCEN do not know. What to believe?? Please advice. Thank you very much.

[SarahM]

A specific extension request for the FBAR return is not required, and is not linked to an extension for the Federal return. Without any specific information about the firm you mention, I can only assume that the information provided by the IRS and FINCEN is correct.

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/report-of-foreign-bank-and-financial-a...

https://www.fincen.gov/sites/default/files/shared/FBAR%20Line%20Item%20Filing%20Instructions.pdf