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Tax Day comes around every April, and 2025 is no exception. If the tax filing deadline 2025 (April 15, 2025) is approaching too fast and you’re not ready, don’t panic – you can file a tax extension to get more time.
I will try to explain how to file a tax extension in 2025, why you might need one, and what it does (and doesn’t) do.
What Is a Tax Extension?
A tax extension is simply a request for additional time to file your federal income tax return. It extends your filing deadline by six months – for example, an extension moves the due date from April 15, 2025, to October 15, 2025.
Importantly, it does not give you more time to pay any taxes owed. Any tax payment is still due by the original April deadline.
In other words, an extension lets you postpone the paperwork, not the payment. If you expect to owe taxes, you should estimate that amount and pay it by April 15 to avoid interest and penalties. If you’re getting a refund, there’s no penalty for filing late, but you won’t receive your refund until you do file.
Filing a tax extension is easy and free – the IRS doesn’t charge a fee for it. The IRS automatically grants an extension to anyone who properly submits the request by the deadline, no special reason needed.
Millions of taxpayers get an extension every year.
Why you might need a tax extension
Why do people file for a tax extension? There are plenty of practical reasons not to rush your tax return. Some common situations include:
- Missing information: You’re still waiting on important tax documents (for example, a Schedule K-1 from a partnership or a Form 1099 that hasn’t arrived) and can’t complete your return without them.
- Major life events or scheduling conflicts: Perhaps you’ve been out of town, dealing with a family emergency, moving, or otherwise occupied during tax season. Big life changes can make it hard to focus on taxes by the April deadline.
- Last-minute filing crunch: If you started late on your taxes or your tax preparer is backed up, you might simply run out of time. Rather than filing in a hurry (or filing late), it’s wiser to get an extension.
- Accuracy: You want to avoid rushing through your return and potentially making mistakes or missing deductions. An extension gives you breathing room to thoroughly review your documents.
The IRS will accept an extension for any reason, as long as you submit the request on time. It’s far better to take the extra time to get things right than to amend a return later or incur penalties for errors.
How to file a tax extension
For 2025, you have three main ways to file for a tax extension (automatic 6-month extension) by the April deadline:
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Use IRS Free File (online)
The IRS Free File program partners with tax software providers to offer free e-filing online. Anyone can use an IRS Free File partner site to electronically submit Form 4868 for an automatic extension, regardless of income.
This is one of the easiest methods. Several Free File partner companies (such as FreeTaxUSA, TaxAct, TaxSlayer, and others) support free electronic filing of extension requests.
You can access IRS Free File via the IRS website and choose a partner, or go directly to a participating tax software website’s “free extension filing” option.
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Pay electronically and select “extension”
If you expect to owe taxes, you can get an extension by making an electronic payment to the IRS with an extension designation. The IRS says that you don’t even need to file Form 4868 if you make a tax payment online and indicate it’s for an extension.
For example, you can go to IRS Direct Pay or use the EFTPS system (or even a debit/credit card payment on the IRS website). When you make the payment, choose “Extension (Form 4868)” as the reason for payment.
As long as you pay by April 15 and correctly select that it’s an extension payment, you’ll receive an automatic filing extension.
(Keep the confirmation of your payment for your records. You’ll still need to file the actual tax return by the extended deadline.)
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Mailing Form 4868 (paper)
The traditional way is to fill out paper Form 4868 (Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File) and mail it to the IRS. You can download Form 4868 from the IRS website or pick up a paper copy at some post offices or libraries.
It’s a simple form – mainly your name, address, Social Security number, and an estimate of your total tax liability for the year (if you expect to owe).
Make sure the envelope is postmarked by April 15, 2025 (the tax deadline) to count as a timely extension request.
Filing through tax software
Many taxpayers choose to file their extension using the same tax software they plan to use for their tax return. Most major tax prep platforms have built-in support for extensions, often at no extra charge.
TurboTax is known for its friendly, interview-style interface that walks you through taxes step by step. It offers a dedicated “Easy Extension” feature to help you file an extension online quickly.
Cost: Filing an extension with TurboTax is free. TurboTax’s actual tax filing products range from a Free Edition (for very simple returns) to paid tiers like Deluxe, Premier, and Self-Employed.
If your return isn’t simple, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid version (prices in 2025 were around $69 for Deluxe federal, plus additional for state returns).
TurboTax is one of the pricier options, but it provides an extremely polished experience, lots of guidance, and add-ons like live expert help (for an extra fee).
H&R Block’s online tax software also makes it easy to e-file an extension. You can simply log in to your H&R Block account and use the “File an Extension” option, or have one of their tax pros file the extension for you.
Like TurboTax, H&R Block offers a free online version for simple returns, then charges for more complex returns (its paid packages are often slightly cheaper than TurboTax’s).
They also have downloadable software and in-person offices, so you can even visit a local H&R Block to get personal help filing an extension or return.
FreeTaxUSA is a budget-friendly tax software that supports all major tax forms at a fraction of the cost of the big names. It’s also an IRS Free File partner, which means you can use it to e-file your extension for free.
Cost: Federal tax filing with FreeTaxUSA is free for everyone, regardless of income or complexity, and a state return costs a flat $14.99. Filing an extension through FreeTaxUSA is free as well.
If you’re comfortable doing taxes with minimal guidance and want to save money, FreeTaxUSA is an excellent choice.
TaxAct is another reputable tax software that offers a solid middle-ground option. It participates in the IRS Free File program, so you can file an IRS tax extension through TaxAct for free (they prominently advertise free extensions on their site)
Cost: TaxAct has a free tier for simple returns and then charges for higher tiers; its prices are generally lower than TurboTax’s. For instance, TaxAct’s Deluxe plan was around $47.95 for federal filing in 2025 (with additional state fees).
Important deadlines
When filing an extension, you need to be very mindful of the key dates. Mark these tax deadlines for 2025 on your calendar:
April 15, 2025 – Tax Day
This is the deadline for filing your 2024 federal income tax return or requesting an extension. Tax Day 2025 falls on April 15, 2025 (a Tuesday). By midnight on this date, you must have either e-filed or postmarked your return or submitted Form 4868 for an extension.
Payment deadline
April 15 is also the deadline to pay any tax you owe for 2024. Even if you file for an extension, you should pay at least an estimated amount of what you owe by this date to avoid interest and penalties.
If you don’t file either a return or extension by April 15, the IRS can charge a failure-to-file penalty – usually 5% of the unpaid tax per month, up to 25%.
And if you don’t pay your owed taxes by this date, a smaller failure-to-pay penalty(about 0.5% of the tax per month, up to 25%) will apply in addition to interest on the balance.
Note
October 15, 2025 – Extended filing deadline
If you file a tax extension, this is the new deadline to file your full 2024 tax return. An extension gives you up to six extra months, making October 15, 2025, your due date for the paperwork.
You do not need to “re-apply” or do anything special after April – just make sure to file your completed return by October 15. No further extensions are available beyond this.
State Tax Deadlines
Don’t forget about state income taxes. Most states follow a similar schedule (April 15 and Oct 15), but some may differ. The good news is, in many cases if you obtain a federal extension, your state will automatically grant you an extension as well (often until the same Oct 15 date).
Most tax software will prompt you about state extensions when you prepare a federal extension or state return. The key is: know your state’s rules, so you’re covered on all fronts.
Tax extension conclusion
Filing a tax extension in 2025 can be a smart move if you need a little breathing room to get your tax return done right. Instead of scrambling and risking mistakes or missing the deadline, you can file a tax extension by April 15 and gain until October 15, 2025, to finish your return.
It’s easy, free, and automatic to obtain an extension– far better than filing late and incurring penalties. Just remember that an extension doesn’t delay your tax payment obligation.
In 2025, take advantage of the tools at your disposal: the IRS Free File program, or trusted tax software like TurboTax or H&R Block, can handle the extension process in minutes.
Tax season doesn’t have to be a panic – with a timely extension and a good plan, you can tackle your taxes on your own schedule, and avoid any penalties.
Happy filing, and here’s to a smoother tax season 2025!
