OK, it depends on why you are out of the country.
If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien, you may qualify for an automatic extension of time to file without filing Form 4868. You qualify if, on the due date of your return, you meet one of the following conditions.
- You live outside the United States and Puerto Rico and your main place of business or post of duty is outside the United States and Puerto Rico.
- You are in military or naval service on duty outside the United States and Puerto Rico.
This extension gives you an extra 2 months to file and pay the tax, but interest will be charged from the original due date of the return on any unpaid tax.
IF, however, you just happen to be out of the country for a short while, then if you can't file the extension through TurboTax, try using the IRS - Free File and Free File Fillable Forms, both available at IRS.gov, which allow you to prepare and e-file Form 4868 for free. (if you do this, make a copy of your 4868 because you may need to enter some of the data into your TurboTax return when you get back).
However, you will need to provide certain information from your 2017 tax return. If you don't have that information and can't get it before you return home, then print, complete, and mail the 4868. What counts is the day that you mail it, not the day the IRS receives it. You can find the form at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4868.pdf
