File Extension from Desktop Version

[peter941]

the information there is incorrect for desktop.

[CharliebBac]

I went thru the link in your post and completed all the questions. I do not need to send in any money to the IRS. But how can I be sure my extensio was e-filed? I have no confirmation in my mailbox or intuit msg center.  TIA

[WapellaTaxQuestions]

Often wonder if anyone at Intuit or TurboTax pays the least bit of attention to these boards and customer concerns.

Simple fix here, but nope, just drags on for years.

[mesquitebean]

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@ CharliebBac wrote:

I went thru the link in your post and completed all the questions. I do not need to send in any money to the IRS. But how can I be sure my extensio was e-filed? I have no confirmation in my mailbox or intuit msg center.  TIA

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Who does "your post" refer to???  i.e., who are you replying to???  This is a 3-page thread, so we don't know what comment you are responding to.    What link are you referring to?  There are several links in this thread.

You wrote:  "I do not need to send in any money to the IRS."

Are you saying that you will ultimately owe no tax due (or will get a refund) when you file your actual return?  An extension request is only an extension for time to file.   If your return will ultimately show tax due, there is no extension on the time to pay.   You still have to pay any expected tax due by the filing deadline on April 15 to avoid a failure-to-pay penalty.   Or are you saying you will no owe tax due and will get a refund?

[mmagrath]

because this system does not work.  the suggested prompts do not lead to any active menu items or links.  its gobbelty **bleep**

[user17759384418]

It is not possible to file an extension electronically using the desktop version.  The only option is to print form and mail it.  You need to use the online version to file extension electronically -- and this pisses off desktop users like me.  We need to file with the online version then manually tell the desktop version what we did.

[jajodo3]

Over all TT is very good but it is torture to file an extension in Turbotax Desktop for Windows.

-the instructions are wrong as best I can tell

-I can't even find a search under list topics

-the search button leads just lists the relevant federal dates when you type extend.

-NY department of taxation states on their website that you must electronically file an extension with your efile software if  you are using one to file.  Since that is impossible with TT desktop as far as I can tell I had to apply illegally on the NY website.

Kind of crazy if you ask me but I realize TT does their own thing.

[jimktm]

Absolutely insane that desktop Turbotax users  either have to print out a form and mail it to the IRS, or re-type a bunch of info (SSNs, etc) into https://easy-extension.turbotax.intuit.com/ . 

[jajodo3]

Thankfully for federal returns exension is redundant if you need to make a payment.

On the IRS websity if you make any payment and label it "extension" on the drop down it automatically applies for an extension.

[DoninGA]

@jimktm You could also go to the IRS payment website and make an  extension payment and you get an automatic extension from the IRS - https://www.irs.gov/payments

[user17760362993]

That doesn't do anything.  Clicking on "Search" in the 2025 desktop version opens the online assistant and never opens the extension form or wizard.  It is an endless cycle with useless online help.

[jimktm]

My tax liability is 0, so how can I make an extension payment on https://www.irs.gov/payments to get the automatic extension?  Does IRS allow a payment of $0?

[mesquitebean]

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@jimktm wrote:

My tax liability is 0, so how can I make an extension payment on https://www.irs.gov/payments to get the automatic extension?  Does IRS allow a payment of $0?

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.  So you don't expect to owe any additional 2025 tax?   I don't have a way to test the IRS payment tool for $0, but I suspect it may say an amount must be entered.   You can always make a nominal payment, say $5 or $10, and if you end up with a tax due when you later file the return, you can enter that amount  you paid on the return as an extension payment, and it will take it off your tax bill.  Or when you prepare the actual return, if you end up having overpaid, you can get it back in your 2025 refund or apply it to 2026.

[mwahba1961]

I am sure few years ago I was able to file an extension from within my Desktop Turbotax which is not the case as I found today after wasting hours chatting with the useless chatbot that pointed me to expert advice requiring  me to pay $5 to get an answer to a simple question. Very bad customer support in my opinion.

BUT here is the right answer to the question from what I had to do outside of Turbotax today.

1) Go to IRS.gov and create an online account

2) make sure to select file for extension option (Very Important)

3) You must select a payment as the system will not allow you to select zero payment. I selected $1 only since I don't owe any taxes

4) Put your checking account and bank routing information 

5) Submit the request and print the page for reference only, You should get an immediate email with the same information from the IRS.

6) You are done with the tax extension

Thanks Turbotax for your wonderful support.

[17752500273]

DoninGA,

This is an EXCELLENT tip ! Wish I had seen it before I wasted over an hour, frustrated to find out that TT desktop does not allow online filing of the extension, the likely reason being to drive people to their more profitable online products. I ended up very reluctantly entered my soc sec at TT Extension webpage in order to file my extension, again thanks to TT desktop NOT importing more than ONE 1099-Bs from the same brokerage firm !!!