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The deadline for filing 2025 tax returns is approaching on Wednesday, April 15, and while tens of millions of taxpayers have filed their returns, there will likely be millions more. file extensions giving themselves until the fall to file their returns.
Taxpayers who need more time to file their 2025 tax returns can request an extension before the April 15 deadline by completing an online form.
Extensions give taxpayers until Oct. 15 to file their 2025 tax returns while avoiding a late filing penalty. This amounts to 5% of your unpaid taxes for each month the return is late, up to 25% of the total unpaid amount, according to the IRS. Additional fines may be imposed for non-payment.
The tax authorities emphasize this fiscal expansions are for tax filing purposes only and do not provide additional time to pay. Therefore, if tax is due, payment is required at the time the deferment is requested to avoid the penalty being imposed.
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Taxpayers requesting an extension to file their 2025 tax return must pay what they owe at the time of the extension or alternatively request a payment plan. (Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images)
If it’s a taxpayer owe a refundthere is no penalty for late filing, although they must file their return within three years to receive their refund.
Taxpayers who have an outstanding balance and cannot pay the full amount by April 15 should pay what they can and request a payment plan – also called an installment plan or an online payment agreement.
The IRS notes that most applicants are notified immediately of their approval or denial without having to call or write the IRS.
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The IRS can automatically extend the deadlines for taxpayers living in disaster-affected areas. (Jordan Vonderhaar/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
There are three ways in which a taxpayer can request an extension for filing his tax return.
Taxpayers who go to the IRS website to pay the taxes they owe through an online option can click “extension” as the reason for the payment. This will provide the taxpayer with a confirmation number associated with their extension that they can keep for their records without having to file additional forms.
All individual tax files using IRS free file can apply for an automatic renewal through the program, regardless of their income and at no cost to them. However, there are income requirements and limitations for using IRS Free File to file taxes.
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Taxpayers can also file a tax return Form 4868an application for an automatic extension of the period for filing the individual income tax return. The form can be filed by mail, online with an IRS e-filing partner, or through a tax professional.
Those filing the extension form must estimate on the extension form how much tax is due for the year and subtract the taxes already paid for the filing year from the balance due.
Taxpayers have various options to request a deferral. (J.David Ake/Getty Images)
Additional time may be available to file for taxpayers who are in a combat zone or qualified hazardous work areas, those located outside the US or affected by certain disaster situations.
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The IRS typically delays filing deadlines for taxpayers who live within a certain area disaster areaswith exemption for both filing and payment.
While the IRS will automatically identify affected taxpayers who live in those areas, those who live outside the affected area or own a business and have been affected by the disaster can contact the IRS to request assistance.
