The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has set April 15, 2026 as the final federal tax filing deadline for most US taxpayers. however, Taxpayers who cannot meet this deadline can request an automatic six-month extension by submitting Form 4868 to the IRS.
IRS Tax Deadline 2026: What is Form 4868? Here’s how to request a six-month tax extension (Pexel)The extension then moves the filing deadline to October 15, 2026, for calendar-year filers. However, it is important to note that an extension allows more time to file, but not more time to pay. If anyone owes taxes, they must pay by April 15 to avoid penalties and interest.
What is Form 4868?IRS Form 4868, ‘Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File US Personal Income Tax Return,’ offers taxpayers an automatic six-month extension to file Form 1040, the official US personal income tax return.
D The IRS says”Requesting an extension using Form 4868 gives you until October 15 to file your federal tax return. To avoid penalties, file the extension and pay any balance due by the April 15 deadline. The extension is for filing your return only.”
It adds, “You can file a request for extension using Guided Tax software or free file fillable forms online.”
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Form 4868 can be filed electronically either through IRS-approved e-file providers or by mailing a paper form. Many taxpayers qualify for automatic extensions when making electronic payments through IRS Direct Pay or the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS).
Failure to pay within the original deadline results in interest charges, even if an extension is granted.
What if you miss the April 15 deadline?Those who put off their filings tax Late fees and other issues may have to be dealt with, too Investment property exchange services The report states that more than 31% of workers admit to waiting to pay their taxes.
“First, you may face a failure-to-file penalty. This is equal to 5% of the tax you paid less any available credit, charged monthly for up to 5 months,” read Loyalty website. “If you are more than 60 days late, the minimum penalty is the lesser of 100% of the tax you owe or $485.”
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“You may also incur a failure-to-pay penalty. This is assessed at a small rate of 0.5% of your unpaid tax, but is reapplied each month until you max out at 25% of your unpaid balance,” Fidelity continued. “If you incur both penalties in a given month, the failure-to-file penalty is reduced so that you pay no more than 5% of the penalty per month.”
D The IRS Created a process for making a request Tax filing extension through various methods. Either of these will push your tax filing deadline to Thursday, October 15.
