When in 2020 the IRS extended the federal income tax due date from April 15 to July 15 due to the upheaval caused by COVID-19, many taxpayers must have breathed a sigh of relief. Depending on where we lived, many of us were dealing with product shortages, layoffs, sudden isolation, and trying to figure out how to cope with the new normal.
Time flies, though, and two years later the tax deadline is back to mid-April (April 18 for most states, April 19 in Maine and Massachusetts). So if you can't file your taxes by then, what do you do?
One thing you don't do is panic. You can still apply for an extension – and it won't take long.
If you are an individual (and let's assume you are), you can easily file an extension request online by filling out Form 4868 using the IRS Free Files Program . (Filing for an extension is free regardless of your income level.) A few things to keep in mind:
- When you access the page of the IRS site offering the free file extensions, you will be presented with several possible service choices. It might be worth taking a look at each of them, as they handle forms differently and you might feel more comfortable with a specific service. Whatever you choose, it will be free.
- You may also need to file a state extension form. Some of the IRS Free File program services should also handle this; if not, you can check with your national tax authority to find out.
- Once you have filed an extension, you will have until October 17 to file.
- You will still need to estimate the amount you owe the government and pay the amount owed.
- If you know you will have to pay taxes and you decide to pay all or part of them by Direct Payment, the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), or a card credit or debit, you can indicate that the payment is for an extension and you don't even have to fill out a separate form.
- If you prefer to submit a paper form, you can find a printable PDF here. You're on time as long as it's postmarked by April 18 (April 19 if you're from Maine or Massachusetts).
Good luck!
Updated January 19, 2022, 3:20 PM ET: This article was originally published on July 14, 2020 and has been updated to change dates and other information for the 2021 tax year.
