Running out of time on your taxes: Here’s the fastest way to get an extension for the 2026 deadline
If you’re unable to submit your 2025 federal income tax return to the IRS by the deadline, you can apply for an automatic extension.
Tax Day is coming around once again. For most taxpayers in the United States, the deadline to submit a 2025 federal income tax return to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is Wednesday 15 April 2026.
However, if you’re unable to meet the deadline, you can apply for an automatic extension pushing the deadline back six months. The IRS offers three ways to get an extension.
Note though that there are a number of areas in the US where extensions do not need to be applied for due to environmental disasters. These are found on the IRS.
How to request an extension for filing your tax return
Filing an extension for submitting your tax return gives you until 15 October to get all your paperwork turned in to the IRS. However, it’s worth noting that a filing extension isn’t a payment extension, so you need to estimate the tax you owe and pay this in full or in part by the original due date.
If you want to ask for more time to file your taxes, you have a few different options. Here’s a look:
1: Mail IRS Form 4868 with tax payment
You can fill in the paper version of Form 4868 and post it to the IRS, enclosing your estimated income tax payment in the form of a check or money order. Make sure the form is postmarked by the regular due date (15 April) as sending anything on the April 16 is too late.
2. Make electronic payment
Alternatively, you can avoid filling in Form 4868 by paying all or part of your owed tax electronically, and indicating that it is an extension payment by ticking the designated box. The IRS will automatically be notified of your request for a delayed due date, without the need for the form. There are three e-payment methods: Direct Pay, the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, or credit or debit card.
3. Submit Form 4868 using Free File and send payment by mail
You also have the option of filing Form 4868 using the IRS’ online Free File platform. You will still need to pay any back taxes owed by April 15, or if sending your payment by mail, it must be postmarked by that date.
Note, the IRS says: “If you e-file Form 4868 and mail a check or money order to the IRS for payment, use a completed paper Form 4868 as a voucher. Please note with your payment that your extension request was originally filed electronically.”
If you can’t pay the taxes you owe, you should file Form 4868 anyway, and look at your options for establishing a payment plan with the IRS.
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