@BrianH1969
Sorry you had all that difficulty. It's actually easy, IMO, to file an extension request and payment online at the IRS website in just a few minutes. You can use the IRS Direct Pay (an ACH electronic withdrawal from your bank account) and label it as an "extension" payment from the dropdown menu. You do not have to mail anything in. It's also possible to pay the extension payment by credit/debit card there, but there is a processing fee, which can be heavy for credit card.
https://www.irs.gov/payments
If you want to do that, read all the following steps first, because you will need to gather up an old tax return so it can verify you.
- When you choose to make a personal tax payment, then select individual, you ultimately arrive at the payment interface.
- The first box is "Reason for Payment." In the dropdown menu, choose "Extension."
- The next box is "Apply Payment to", and it will probably autopopulate with "4868."
- Tax Period for Payment: 2024
- When you click Continue, you'll get a confirmation box showing what you have chosen.
- When you continue, it will then take steps to identify you by asking you for info from an old tax return. You indicate the year you want to use. You can choose one from the last 5 years.
- Keep answering the additional steps in that interview.
- It will ultimately ask you for your payment info.
- NOTE: Be sure to print our your confirmation at the end to keep with your records.
Then when you prepare your 2024 return, be sure to enter the extension payment in the proper slot so that you get credit for it on your return.
