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Level 1
September 17, 2025
Question

Late extension

  • September 17, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 0 views

I originally applied for an extension months back and was approved. Do I still have time to file before October this month? What do the penalties look like? Can they be avoided? 

2 replies

Level 15
September 17, 2025

You have until October 15 to e-file.  After that, your return will have to be filed by mail.   If you are getting a refund, you have three years to file and receive the refund.   If you owe tax due, you were supposed to pay the estimated tax by April 15, 2025.  Did you do that?

 

 

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
evelynm
Level 6
Level 6
September 17, 2025

You are indicating you did file an extension so you have until October 15, 2025 to file your return.   This extension of time to file is not an extension to pay taxes due.    File your return and pay any taxes due immediately to stop new penalties and interest from being accrued.   

  • Failure-to-file penalty: This penalty is typically 5% of your unpaid taxes for each month or part of a month that your return is late, with a maximum penalty of 25%.
  • Failure-to-pay penalty: If you did not pay your taxes by the original April deadline, this penalty is 0.5% of the unpaid taxes for each month or part of a month. It also has a maximum of 25%.

If you are assessed penalties there are remedies.   

When the IRS waives a penalty it is called abatement.  If you are unable to get the penalties waived and cannot afford to pay in full it may benefit you to enter into an installment agreement to make manageable monthly payments.   Here is a link with further information including the latest on The One Big Beautiful Bill:   IRS penalty abatement 

Have an amazing day. Evelyn M (CPA 20+ years). I would love a thumbs up :) + Mark the post that answers your question by clicking on "Mark as Best Answer".