Form 4868 - Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return

Q: How can I request an automatic extension to file my U.S. individual income tax return?

You can file Form 4868 electronically through IRS e-file, mail a paper Form 4868, or request the extension while making an electronic payment of estimated tax.

Q: Do I need to pay anything to get an extension using Form 4868?

An extension of time to file does not extend the time to pay taxes. If you don’t pay the amount due by the original due date, interest may apply and penalties may be charged.

Q: When must Form 4868 be filed?

File Form 4868 by the due date of your Form 1040 family return. For a 2025 calendar year return, it is generally April 15, 2026, for most people.

Sep 19, 2026

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Requesting an automatic extension to file a U.S. individual income tax return is done using Form 4868. The form explains three submission routes: electronic filing through IRS e-file, completing a paper Form 4868 by mail, and paying any estimated tax due using supported electronic methods or cards when filing. It also specifies eligibility, payment obligations, acknowledgment handling for e-file, and key filing deadlines for calendar year and fiscal year taxpayers.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Purpose of Form

Qualifying for the Extension

Pay Electronically

E-file Using Your Tax Software or Through a Tax Professional

File a Paper Form 4868

General Instructions

When To File Form 4868

There are three ways to request an automatic extension of time tofile a U.S.individual income tax return. 1.You can pay all or part of your estimated income tax due andindicate that the payment is for an extension using your bankaccount;a digital wallet such as Click to Pay,PayPal,and Venmo;cash;or a credit or debit card.See How To Make a Payment,later,and www.irs.gov/Payments for more information. 2.You can file Fom 4868 electronically by accessing IRS e-fileusing your tax software or by using a tax professional who usese-file. 3.You can file a paper Form 4868 and enclose payment of yourestimate of tax due (optional). It's Convenient,Safe,and Secure IRSe-file is the IRS's electronic filing program.You can get anautomatic extension of time to file your tax return by filing Form4868 electronically.You'll receive an electronic acknowledgmentonce you complete the transaction.Keep it with your records.Don'tmail in Form 4868 if you file electronically,unless you're making apayment with a check or money order. Complete Fom 4868 to use as a worksheet.If you think you mayowe tax when you file your return,you'll need to estimate your totaltax liability and subtract how much you've already paid (lines 4,5,and 6 below). Several companies offer free e-filing of Fom 4868 through theFree File Program.For more details,go to www.irs.gov/FreeFile. 4868 Department of the Treasury | 4868
Foml | Application for Automatic Extension of Time
To File U.S.Individual Income Tax Return | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | OMB No.1545-0074 | | Department of the Treasury
nternal Revenue Service | Go to www.irs.gov/Form4868 for the latest information. | 2025 | # Purpose of Form Use Fom 4868 to apply for 6 more months(4 if“out of thecountry”(defined later under Taxpayers who are out of the country)and a U.S.citizen or resident)to file Form 1040,1040-SR,1040-NR,or 1040-SS. Gift and generation-skipping transfer (GST)tax return(Form 709or 709-NA).An extension of time to file your 2025 calendar yearincome tax retum also extends the time to file Form 709 or 709-NAfor 2025.However,it doesn't extend the time to pay any gift andGST tax you may owe for 2025.To make a payment of gift and GSTtaxsee Form 8892.If you don't pay the amount due by the duedate for Fom 709 or 709-NA,you'llowe interest and may also becharged penalties.If the donor died during 2025,see theinstructions for Forms 709 or 709-NA,and 8892. # Qualifying for the Extension To get the extra time,you must: For Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice,see page 4. # Pay Electronically You don't need to file Fom 4868 if you make a payment using ourelectronic payment options.The IRS will automatically process anextension of time to file when you pay part or allof your estimatedincome tax electronically.You can pay online or by phone.See HowTo Make a Payment,later. # E-file Using Your Tax Softwareor Through a Tax Professional Refer to your tax software package or tax preparer for ways to fileelectronically.Be sure to have a copy of your 2024 tax retum一you'll be asked to provide infomation from the return for taxpayerverification.If you wish to make a payment,you should payelectronically (see How To Make a Payment,later). # File a Paper Form 4868 If you wish to file on paper instead of electronically,complete theFom 4868 below and mail it to the address shown under Where ToFile a Paper Fom 4868,later. For information on using a private delivery service,see PrivateDelivery Services,later. Note:If you're a fiscal year taxpayer,you must file a paper Form4868. # General Instructions DETACH HERE # Application for Automatic Extension of TimeTo File U.S.Individual Income Tax Return OMB No.1545-0074 2025 | nternal Revenue Service | For calendar year 2025,or other tax year beginning
,20
,2025,and ending | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Part Il Individual Income Tax <

FAQs

How can I request an automatic extension to file my U.S. individual income tax return?

You can file Form 4868 electronically through IRS e-file, mail a paper Form 4868, or request the extension while making an electronic payment of estimated tax.

Do I need to pay anything to get an extension using Form 4868?

An extension of time to file does not extend the time to pay taxes. If you don’t pay the amount due by the original due date, interest may apply and penalties may be charged.

When must Form 4868 be filed?

File Form 4868 by the due date of your Form 1040 family return. For a 2025 calendar year return, it is generally April 15, 2026, for most people.

Sep 19, 2026

Upload by วิน