Do you need to fill out your tax returns, before you can file for a extension?

[DoninGA]

No, but you should know if you have taxes owed on the 2021 tax return so you can at least pay an estimate of the taxes owed with the extension.  An extension only give you an extra six months to file the tax return, it does NOT extend the time to pay any taxes owed.  Taxes owed are due and payable on or before April 18, 2022.

[tallman02]

but it asks me to fill in this:

Estimated 2021 federal total tax liability (form 1040, line 24)

In the first question

[PaulSR-CA]

No. At least when I have needed to do so historically. However, it is an extension to file but not an extension to pay taxes that are due. Thus, if you think you owe, pay that amount (being sure to be over unless you want to deal with calculating fees later which is better to avoid and simply get some sort of refund).

[tallman02]

I will not owe any taxes, but it ask me to fill in Estimated 2021 federal total tax liability (form 1040, line 24)

[tallman02]

I will not owe, but not sure how to get by this question, without doing my taxes!

Any ideas?

[DoninGA]

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@tallman02 wrote:

I will not owe any taxes, but it ask me to fill in Estimated 2021 federal total tax liability (form 1040, line 24)

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If you will have to tax liability then either leave it blank and continue or enter a 0 and continue.

[PaulSR-CA]

Again, you it is an extension to file the return not payment. So, this is not really a question but a notice that taxes due are due by estimation. 

[tallman02]

I will not owe anything, but not sure how to get by that question without doing the taxes first. Any ideas?

[AmyC]

See the steps, How do I file an IRS extension (Form 4868) in TurboTax Online?

Do I need to file an extension for my personal state taxes?