No, you can't get an extension, but the IRS gives you plenty of time to amend a return that you filed.
Generally speaking, you have three years from the date you filed the return (or two years from the date you paid the tax due on the return—whichever is later) to file an amended return.
Here are a few examples for 2023 tax year returns:
- If you filed on January 31, 2024 (before the April deadline) and owed no tax, you'd have until April 15, 2027 to file an amended 2023 return.
- This is because returns filed on or before the April 15 deadline are considered to have been filed on the deadline.
- However, if you filed after the April deadline (say, on August 1, 2024), you'd have three years from that date to file an amendment (August 1, 2027 in this example).
- If you filed on March 21, 2024 and paid additional tax due on that date, you'd have until March 21, 2027 to file an amended 2023 return.
- This is because three years from the filing date (March 21, 2027) is later than two years from the payment date (March 21, 2026).
- If you filed on April 15, 2024 but didn't pay the additional tax due until March 31, 2025, you'll have until March 31, 2027 to file an amended 2023 return.
- That's because three years from the filing date (April 15, 2027) is later than two years from the payment date (March 31, 2027).
