In the United States, tax season is almost over, and millions of people have already sent their forms to the IRS. People often feel rushed and stressed when they have to file their taxes, especially if their finances have changed recently or if they don’t have all the papers they need yet. People who aren’t ready to meet the limit can still find a way to do it.
You can ask the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for more time to file your tax return. This extension doesn’t happen by itself, but it’s easy to get and can give you up to six more months to send in the paperwork. Make sure you remember that this rule only refers to filing, not paying, which still needs to be done by the due date.
You can use this legal option if you are not yet ready to file your tax return. This way, you can avoid the fines for filing late. You can make a smart choice and keep your money safe if you know all the details of this extension.
How long do you have to file, and how do you ask for more time?
This year, April 15, 2025, is the last day to file your tax return. To escape penalties for filing late, all taxpayers must turn in their forms by that date or, if they can’t, ask for more time to do so. This service is free and is done right with the IRS.
To get the extension, Form 4868 must be filled out and sent online by a tax preparer or software approved by the IRS. Of course, you can also send the form by mail, but sending it online is faster and lets you be sure that your request was received.
The new deadline is October 15, 2025, which is six months later than the original date. But it’s important to know that this extension doesn’t mean you don’t have to pay your taxes when they’re due. If it looks like you’ll have to pay something, you need to do it before April 15 to avoid fines and interest.
What will happen if you don’t file your return or ask for an extension?
Penalties will be charged to taxpayers who don’t file their Tax Return or ask for an extension by April 15. For each month you file late, you may have to pay an extra 5% of the due tax, up to a maximum of 25%. In addition, interest is added to the bill every day if payment is not made.
The IRS gives you choices like installment payment plans if you can’t pay the full amount of tax you owe. This lets you keep up with your tax responsibilities and have less of an effect on the economy. So, even if you don’t have the full amount of money, you should still file your return or ask for an extension on time.
Last but not least, people who expect a payout from the IRS but haven’t filed their return yet won’t be fined. But it’s important to remember that the longest you can wait to get a return is three years. If you wait too long to file, you might lose that money.