Filing 4868 extension when no tax is due

[EM615]

Due to an error, my mom's 1099-g has my ssn on it.  We have been trying to resolve this for months now with the Department of Labor but they have yet to respond.  I do not want any problems when I file my taxes. My mom will obviously be claiming the 1099g on her taxes as unemployment earned, but I am afraid to file my taxes in case the IRS thinks I am trying to get out of paying taxes on unemployment since the 1099g is associated with my SSN.

At this point I am thinking I will just request an extension for my due date.  Can I request an extension if I am due a refund?  I would rather wait for my refund than deal with any issues with the IRS thinking I am trying to get out of paying unemployment taxes. If so, do I just file form 4868 and put $0 for lines 4-7 Estimate of total tax liability for 2020, balance due, etc?

[AnnetteB6 · Accepted solution]

Yes, you can request an extension to file your return if you are due a refund.

You can enter $0 for your tax liability and tax payments or take a look at your Form 1040 to enter the actual numbers on line 24  (total tax) and line 33 (total payments).

If you are using TurboTax Online, see the information in the following article for instructions to file an extension:  

How do I file an IRS extension (Form 4868) in TurboTax Online?

Also see:  Do I need to file an extension if I'm getting a refund?

[fanfare]

why is your SSN on her benefits?

In any case,

IRS says:
you should contact your UI division and they should issue to you a corrected 1099-G showing zero as soon as possible.

[fanfare]

If you are due a refund, then there is no need to request more time with 4868.

there is no penalty for filing late in that case.

[Anonymous]

Please ignore user "fanfare"'s comment about no need to file a 4868 when a refund is due.  While it is true that there is no penalty when a refund is owed, that is really one of those things that is kind of a "relief" when you learn about it and have filed late or are filing at the last minute and miss the deadline by a few minutes. 

You absolutely should file an extension if you know that you will be late filing your tax return.  Many of your important rights as a taxpayer revolve around "a timely filed tax return", which includes a return with a valid extension.  While it may be seldom that this comes up in a meaningful way, when it does, it is a really big deal.  So, since you know what an extension is, and how to file it, do so.  It's free, it's easy, it protects your rights, and it's actually the law.  

[EM615]

I filled out her unemployment application for her under my account and her claim was then associated with my social security number. I contacted them months ago and was told they would put a note on the account to fix the issue, but they never did.  They are now supposedly in the process of fixing the issue and issuing a new 1099-g  but I am sure it will not be resolved until after the tax due date.

[Xian2]

I am trying to extend filing date for 2020.

I am using TT premier desktop- it let me prepare the form but then I have to mail

the forums suggest I should be able to to online as well

but when in online ( I am in the free version) - it does not allow to extend ....

I was on the phone support for 1 hour and we did not find a solution

I was able to extend my STATE using online version, but not the Federal

is it supposed to work,  and if yes HOW?

thanks

[MichelleLO]

Please see the steps in the below TurboTax Help Article to assist with filing an extension:

How do I file an IRS extension (Form 4868) in TurboTax Online?

@Xian2

[Caseyblue]

What if I have already filed  & received refund?

Can I still file form 4868 to have more time to make 1/3 Cares Act repayment?

[fanfare]

File Form 4868 to extend the COVID pay-back period to Oct 15,

or for any other reason that you need the extension,

or if you may be late filing your return.

Form 4868 doesn't help you with your tax due date, so pay your tax due by May 17th  with Form 4868.

[Caseyblue]

I have already filed & received refund.

Just need more time to come up with $ for 1/3 Cares Act repayment 

[bitter]

Filing 4868 extension when no tax is due