Use Free File to Submit a Federal Tax Filing Extension

Washington — Can’t meet the April 15 tax deadline? Simply go to www.irs.gov/freefile and submit an extension from your computer to give yourself an extra six months to prepare and file your federal tax return.

Anyone can use Free File to submit a Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. But remember, this is an extension to file your return, not pay your taxes due. Both the extension request and payment must be submitted by April 15.

Free File is a partnership between the IRS and 20 companies that make tax preparation software and e-file available for free to people with incomes of $57,000 or less. However, there are no income limits to file the extension.

There also is Free File Fillable Forms, electronic versions of IRS paper returns, that is free to everyone. You can use Free File Fillable Forms to submit an extension.

Simply follow these steps:

  1. Go to www.irs.gov/freefile to choose from either Traditional Free File company offerings or Free File Fillable Forms.
  2. Complete Form 4868, including making your best estimate on tax owed, if any.
  3. Make any payments required. There are numerous payment options.
  4. Create an electronic PIN or use your adjusted gross income from the prior tax year.
  5. E-file your extension.

The automatic extension will give you until Oct. 15, 2010 to file your federal return. When you are ready to prepare your return, consider using Free File. You can file your return at anytime before the deadline. Both versions of Free File will be available through October 15.

You should submit a tax return or an extension even if you cannot make your tax payment. Penalties for filing your return late or making a late payment are steep. The maximum penalty for late filed return is 25 percent of the tax owed, and the maximum penalty for a late payment is 25 percent of the tax owed.

If you cannot make the payment on taxes owed, pay as much as you can and then contact the IRS for other options such as an installment plan.