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How do I file an IRS tax extension?

SOLVED•by TurboTax•16021•Updated 4 days ago


An extension gives you until October 15, 2024 to file your taxes instead of the tax deadline of April 15, 2024. You must file an extension by April 15, 2024 to get extra time to file your taxes without a penalty. There's no further extension past October 15, 2024.

An extension does not give you extra time to pay your taxes, which are due on April 15, 2024. Even if you can't pay your taxes by the deadline, file an extension anyway so you can avoid the late-filing penalty.

You can file your extension at our Easy Extension website, or select your situation for detailed steps.

Note: If your TurboTax navigation looks different from what’s described here, learn more.

  1. Sign in to TurboTax.
  2. Select File an extension in the left menu.
    • If you don't see File an extension, open a section of your return, search for extend and select Jump to extend.
    • You can also select Tax Tools then Tools from the left menu and choose File an extension.
    • You can't file an extension after April 15, 2024.
  3. Follow the instructions to e-file your extension.
  1. Sign in and open or continue your return.
  2. Search for extend and select Jump to extend.
  3. Follow the instructions to e-file your extension.

You can also select More from the Home screen and choose File An Extension.

  1. Open TurboTax.
  2. Continue to your return.
  3. Select Search, enter extend, and select Jump to extend.
  4. Answer Yes on the Applying for an Extension screen and then select Continue.
  5. Follow the instructions to prepare, print, and mail your 4868 form.

If you don't want to e-file your extension, you can file it by mail.

Download and print Form 4868, fill it out, and mail it before 11:59 PM on April 15, 2024. Payment and mailing instructions are on pages 3 and 4 of your printout.

If you don't have your AGI, or your extension gets rejected for the wrong AGI, here are two options:

  1. Recommended: Pay your taxes at IRS Direct Pay as this automatically gives you an extension.
  2. Paper file Form 4868 (see instructions in the previous section).

If you filed prior to the deadline but were rejected, you'll likely have until April 20 to mail in your extension.

Note: If you're paying additional taxes owed with direct debit, you'll need to provide your 2022 AGI for verification purposes. If you didn't file a 2022 return, enter 0 as your AGI.

For state tax extensions, see How do I file an extension for my personal state taxes?

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