IRS

Form 4868

Rev. 2024

Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File

Grants automatic 6-month extension to file Form 1040. Does NOT extend time to pay taxes owed.

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Plain English

Form 4868 gives you an automatic six-month extension to file your taxes — but NOT to pay them. You still need to estimate and pay any taxes owed by the April deadline to avoid penalties and interest.

Quick Facts

Who: Any individual taxpayer who needs more time to prepare their Form 1040 beyond the April deadline.
What: An automatic 6-month extension to file your federal income tax return. Moves the deadline from April 15 to October 15.
When: Must be filed by the original return due date (April 15). Cannot be filed after the deadline.
Where: Filed electronically via IRS e-file or by mail to the IRS service center for your state.
Why: Filing an extension gives you extra time to gather documents, complete complex forms, or deal with unexpected situations — without failing to file penalty.
How: Enter your name, address, SSN, estimate your total tax liability, total payments, and pay any balance due.

Common Risks & Mistakes

  • •Thinking extension extends time to PAY — it only extends time to FILE. Pay estimated tax by April 15
  • •Filing extension after April 15 — late filing penalties apply if original deadline missed
  • •Underestimating tax liability — penalties and interest on unpaid tax from April 15
  • •Forgetting to file by October 15 — no further extensions available
  • •Not filing extension at all — failure-to-file penalty is 5% per month vs. failure-to-pay is 0.5% per month

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Field-by-Field Guide

Part I
Name and AddressREQUIREDtext

Your legal name and current address.

Social Security NumberREQUIREDssn

Primary SSN. If MFJ, include both SSNs.

Part II
Estimate of Total Tax Liability (Line 4)REQUIREDamount

Your best estimate of what you will owe for the year.

Total Payments (Line 5)REQUIREDamount

Withholding + estimated payments already made.

Balance Due (Line 7)amount

Amount you must PAY by April 15 even with extension.

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Form Stats

5
Fields
4
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2
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Disclaimer: We do not provide legal advice. We translate legal language into plain English and help you prepare for a conversation with a lawyer.