IRS Reminds Taxpayers Who Cannot File by April 15 to Request Extension

Some taxpayers, such as those who live in disaster affected regions or part of the military posted abroad, already have extended due dates.

The IRS building in Washington on March 25, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

People unable to file their 2024 tax returns by the due date next week should consider requesting an extension, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

“With the April 15 tax deadline fast approaching, Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers there is still time to file their federal income tax return electronically and request direct deposit of any refund,” the IRS said in an April 8 statement.

Those who are unable to meet the deadline can apply for a filing extension, the agency added.

“Individual tax filers, regardless of income, can electronically request an automatic tax-filing extension through IRS Free File by filing a Form 4868. ... Make an electronic payment using Direct Pay, debit card, credit card, or digital wallet and indicate the payment is for an extension.”

Alternatively, the form may also be mailed to the IRS. All requests are due by the April 15 deadline.

Even when such a request is granted, it won’t give the taxpayer the right to postpone paying their taxes without consequences, the IRS noted.

If taxes due on April 15 are not paid on time, interest will start accruing on the unpaid balance at the rate of 7 percent per year, compounded daily.

“Special rules for tax deadlines and automatic tax-filing extensions may apply for taxpayers serving in a combat zone or qualified hazardous duty areas, living outside the United States, and people living in certain disaster areas. They may not need to submit a tax-filing extension; however, people should check to see if they qualify before the tax deadline,” the IRS said.

For instance, taxpayers living and working abroad get an automatic two-month extension from the annual filing due date.

The two-month extension gives these taxpayers time until June 16 this year to file, after taking into account holidays.

To qualify for the extension, the taxpayer must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident. On the regular tax filing deadline, they must be “living outside the United States and Puerto Rico and their main place of business or post of duty is outside the United States and Puerto Rico.”

Alternatively, they should be in “military or naval service on duty outside the United States and Puerto Rico,” the IRS said. “Qualifying taxpayers should attach a statement to the return indicating which of these two situations applies.”

Meanwhile, individuals and businesses from areas covered by 2024 FEMA disaster declarations have time until May 1 to file and pay taxes due for tax year 2024.

This extension is applicable to people in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, the City and Borough of Juneau in Alaska, Chaves County in New Mexico, and multiple counties in Tennessee and Virginia.

Filing and Payment

The IRS recommended that taxpayers use one of several electronic filing methods to submit their returns by the due date.

“Filing electronically reduces tax return errors as tax software does the calculations, flags common errors, and prompts taxpayers for missing information. Most taxpayers qualify for electronic filing at no cost and, when they choose direct deposit, usually receive their refund within 21 days,” the agency said.

IRS Direct File is a free online filing service available to eligible taxpayers in 25 states. IRS Free File is another option, with filing limited to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $84,000 or less.

The agency also offers short-term and long-term payment plans for taxpayers unable to pay off dues.

The short-term plan is for taxpayers owing less than $100,000 in total, with the repayment to be made within 180 days. The long-term plan is for those owing less than $50,000, with payments to be made in monthly installments over a term period of up to 10 years.

For the 2025 filing season, the IRS has received 79.62 million returns as of March 21, which is a 1.1 percent dip compared to the same period last filing season. Out of the more than 79 million returns filed, more than 77 million were e-filed.

More than $179 billion in tax refunds have been issued by the agency so far this year, up 5.9 percent from a year back. The average refund amount is $3,221, higher than last year’s $3,081.