How to File a Tax Extension in 2024

A tax extension, specifically referring to IRS Form 4868, grants taxpayers an additional six months to file their tax returns beyond the original April deadline.

[{"selector":"#anim-79cb9854-d36a-4f3c-954f-fed91550383f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-665fc727-baec-4cef-a93d-ecb54ed7ac07","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-118.4127%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c3986487-460b-4bc3-bed9-ff965eba349a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b65fb4b6-7b28-4e1a-b962-e038c2e7e927","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-129.06976%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-72fa0fb2-3ffd-47ce-987f-b102f60162ab","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f359186c-85f9-4914-b722-c30744fde3fe","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-122.07358%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Credit : Freepik

1. IRS Free File

[{"selector":"#anim-c8b7fda2-314f-4c39-b2ab-1364d66d80f4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c607eae6-e013-4cfb-b159-d1cee9e1e9ba","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.12903%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-da081c7d-1ac0-4832-8a2a-a412cf590464","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-560d1e8e-9854-4716-9c63-5ca88cd4c384","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.02564%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-82cc8963-030b-4a47-9635-31b7b32d1f70","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c2e8b12a-c6e7-4b99-8688-009c6bef1c25","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-127.90699%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7275e04f-f2c0-489e-944a-735505bddee8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-535dfc10-3a1f-40cc-96c8-c4c58ec467a4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-122.14023%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b3b2a5b3-2016-4c9e-a7f4-42404cf5d956","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ee4a4ff7-e84d-49b5-a70d-9f5b02e10520","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-117.37705%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Credit : Freepik If you meet the income requirements, you can file a free extension online through the IRS Free File program.

2. Tax Software

[{"selector":"#anim-b7f6a5ca-627f-4196-bc44-be459972bd9d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e258becd-feb8-4b2e-9de3-68a5de7f7f5a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.52795%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-39a04270-5d81-40fc-9939-2828582b1ddc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3e52185b-b86b-4820-bae5-584ee206771e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.52795%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-172ab4fd-e90a-45f6-9bc5-189ee93365b8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-239ef8b8-8e53-4a95-ac97-cc8b93e7f469","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-130.23256%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ce9b3100-1d14-47d5-ac29-996c59216f71","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c2c89d35-d022-4cac-a064-9c55f33bad2c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-123.48993%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3ee4a35e-1427-468d-a91d-13bb4ed651a1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-172d6e68-9ed4-4b0c-a5a5-d55201c17f96","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-120.65573%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Freepik Most tax software programs support the filing of Form 4868 for tax extensions. Simply follow the program's instructions and submit your extension electronically.

3. Tax Preparer

[{"selector":"#anim-b587ab84-5106-4dbc-8c5e-f40343430330","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8b55fb25-5eab-4a87-8dcc-cc8ca1158295","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.52795%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-405910da-412a-4c30-8809-e741f640702b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8516cc09-a939-42d5-99dd-aff5a0c2338a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.52795%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-38f175f5-1917-4cae-9f77-5cdada3800d9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-27e5f31d-d54c-413f-baef-6a4fc4eee534","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-130.23256%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c2ba309a-cf93-4484-81fb-c8f12e46699d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d7728ada-2c58-4099-8626-7ac18c802cbe","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-123.48993%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ce38998b-7eac-4f9b-8a1c-d8d6e6c9099e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2bba6a2f-f1fc-4129-8a80-7211e5f1206e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-121.96722%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Freepik Working with a CPA or tax preparer? They can file for an extension on your behalf, so be sure to inquire about this option if needed.

4. By Mail

[{"selector":"#anim-76d78287-6af1-4c81-b94a-3574cf500f9a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ef4ecb68-7559-4809-aca7-3d21a0107f42","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.57632%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9fa517f7-03e0-48f1-906c-40745cc872ed","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a20983bd-04e1-4a8b-ade9-fbf2787b56e3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.52795%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f3354bff-9078-4fa2-bf52-88f45bab637f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f02e7e67-ad60-4835-a27e-9eed4ed00b2a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-130.23256%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-03e045d7-103c-42a6-b790-7d77e6bb3f8c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7d70e01f-95b3-417f-be2a-ac3bc80ae588","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-121.81208%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2892d90e-39f3-4719-890f-9a32672141a9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4bc8456d-c03a-4d94-ac3e-cc7dd306e8b8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-120.32786%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Freepik For those preferring traditional methods, Form 4868 can be filled out and mailed to the IRS. Ensure it is postmarked by April 15th and retain proof of mailing.

Ready to ease your tax season stress?

[{"selector":"#anim-9be78083-70f5-4d26-8bf4-0657b1d56bdb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b23daae5-b5fb-4848-9980-d0b95ada5c26","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.57632%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1de372e5-7c88-42e7-b540-8195bb5547ff","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b0ba7da3-d6c8-4103-9b5b-19d88df932da","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.52795%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bbabd874-8223-4552-afa5-0c5b8f1d56ad","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d47ccdab-a7e9-4bdc-bc00-be0b3ca72595","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-121.26246%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-051f07f7-e058-46c2-bc97-bf4baef45529","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-01b4e762-7e46-4dbb-80a0-bf948e202937","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-121.64948%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Book Now

5. Direct Pay

[{"selector":"#anim-2b5db662-f626-4f78-8ad8-5f05901f246e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f0350d9c-7657-4171-8eaf-b55978a3dd68","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.57632%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bab851b2-b8a9-4499-9563-d9c77b3aca22","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7446df8d-ec6a-4442-b448-ff40752b8e10","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.52795%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-166600fa-87ff-4d74-b740-6d873b747d3c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a394efe6-de74-4a27-b4f8-ceb930ab1910","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-130.23256%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-47ae8ae4-d4dd-408d-b7b1-986200abce6c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1612d964-f10a-4310-b616-5353ac2385ee","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-121.81208%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cac10cb3-3abc-4582-9ba6-26211ee77d49","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cc74c493-344c-43a6-b1b1-aa730e1c334e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-119.01639%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1800,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Freepik IRS Direct Pay allows you to make a payment and note your extension request simultaneously, eliminating the need to submit Form 4868 separately.