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How do I file an IRS tax extension?

by TurboTax12123 Updated 2 weeks ago

An extension gives you until October 15, 2025 to file your taxes instead of the tax deadline of April 15, 2025. You must file an extension by April 15, 2025 to get extra time to file your taxes without a penalty. There's no further extension past October 15, 2025.

An extension does not give you extra time to pay your taxes, which are due on April 15, 2025. 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.

  1. Sign in to TurboTax.
  2. Select File an extension in the menu or go to extension.
    • You can also select Tax Tools then Tools from the menu and choose File an extension.
  3. Follow the instructions to e-file your extension. Note: You can't file an extension after April 15, 2025.
  1. Sign in and open or continue your return.
  2. Go to extension or select More from the home screen and choose File an extension.
  3. Follow the instructions to e-file your extension.
  1. Open or continue your return.
  2. Search for extend and select the Jump to link.
  3. Answer Yes on the Applying for an Extension screen and then select Continue.
  4. 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, 2025. 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 2023 AGI for verification purposes. If you didn't file a 2023 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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