The IRS Form 4868 asks for an automatic extension of time to file a U.S. individual income tax return. What is it?
The IRS Form 4868 (Internal Revenue Service): Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File a U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. It’s for people who want more time to file their tax reports.
If the IRS gives you an extension, it’s only for the papers. You must send in the amount you think you’ll owe by the due date.
If you file Form 4868, you can’t pay late. You must pay interest and fines if you don’t pay your taxes by the due date.
Form 4868 asks for an automatic extension of time to file a U.S. individual income tax return. Who can fill it out?
Anyone who lives or works in the United States and wants an automatic extension to file their U.S. individual income tax return can fill out this form. Taxpayers in the country get an extra six months at most. If a U.S. citizen or resident is out of the country on the due date, they have two extra months to file their taxes and pay any due amount without filling out Form 4868. If someone outside the country fills out this form, they will get an extra four months. The IRS lists the following people as “out of the country”:
People who don’t live in the U.S. or Puerto Rico but do work outside of those countries
People in the military or navy who are on duty outside of the United States and Puerto Rico
Form 4868 is an application for an automatic extension of time to file a U.S. individual income tax return.
Here’s how to fill it out.
People or married couples should fill out this short form with their names, addresses, Social Security numbers, an estimate of how much tax they owe for the year, the overall amount they have already paid, the amount still due, and any payments made.
By the tax due date, the form should be turned in.
Fill out Form 4868 to ask for an automatic extension of time to file your U.S. individual income tax return.
Click on this link to get a copy of Form 4868: Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.
Conclusion
- People who live or work in the United States and want more time to pay their taxes can use Form 4868.
- Taxpayers in the country get an extra six months, while taxpayers outside the country get an extra four months on top of the two months they already get.
- Filing Form 4868 does not allow for late payment of taxes. Tax payments are still due by the due date, and payments made after that date will be charged interest and fees.
