Is the tax deadline sneaking up on you? Maybe you’re swamped at work or you misplaced the W-2 your employer sent. Whatever the reason, it looks like you won’t make the looming April 18 due date.
The good news is that the Internal Revenue Service has an easy way for you to extend your tax deadline by six months by filing a Form 4868. And the agency doesn’t really care what your reason is as long as you file for an extension by April 18. (For Maine and Massachusetts residents, it’s April 19.) About 12 million taxpayers requested an extension two years ago.
BUT—You still have to pay your taxes by April 18 by estimating what you owe. Use a tax estimator from one of the tax software programs to calculate it. If you don’t pay on time, you’ll be charged late penalties and interest.
If you can’t pay your taxes, you can request a short 60- to 120-day extension to pay. You will still be charged penalties and interest but at a lower rate. The IRS also offers installment agreements that allow set payments each month.
Related: 31 Tax Deductions You Don’t Want to Miss
Filing for an extension not only gives you until October to finish your taxes, but it also helps you avoid failure-to-file penalties, which can add up to a quarter of your due taxes. If any retroactive tax changes occur after April, then you will be able to use them without having to amend already-filed taxes.
Here are a handful of reasons why an extension might be the right move for you.
Missing information. Maybe you’re disorganized and can’t find all the correct forms to fill out an accurate tax return. Or, perhaps you haven’t received all the forms. Forms like the Schedule K-1 or Form 1099 often arrive late because the companies that filed them had requested their own filing extension.
Incorrect forms. It isn’t unusual for companies that send out 1099s that report interest, capital gains, sale proceeds and dividends to make a mistake. They may even send you a notice that a corrected 1099 is on its way. If so, wait until you get it before filing your return.
Snowbirds. Seniors who spend the colder months away from their primary residences may also receive necessary forms ‘too late to file’ by April 18. If that’s not until April or later, these taxpayers may want to file an extension rather than rush their tax returns.
Major life event. If you’re going through a difficult time in life, such as a divorce, a family member’s death, a job loss or major medical issue, doing your taxes may be a low priority. File for an extension and do your taxes when the stress lifts.
Busy tax pro. If you depend on a tax professional to file your return, you may find that s/he is too busy at this point in the year. Instead, have your pro handle the return after the rush subsides.
Procrastination
If you’re someone who hasn’t gotten your stuff together and probably won’t before the deadline—you know who you are—request an extension. That way, you can delay your tax return all-nighter until October.
Related: Tax Trouble: 32 Celebrities Who’ve Tangled With the IRS
Who doesn’t need to request an extension
Those who live and work abroad, including military members on duty outside the U.S., automatically have an extra two months to file. Servicemen and others serving in combat zones typically have 180 days after they leave the combat zone to file returns and pay due taxes. Taxpayers affected by tornadoes, floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters may be eligible for an automatic extension.
