How to File a Personal Tax Extension in the US in 8 Easy Steps?

How to File a Personal Tax Extension in the US in 8 Easy Steps?

by | Mar 11, 2022 | Tax Extension

Do you need to travel outside the US this April? Are you short on time to file your federal tax returns? Then it would be a good idea to file a personal tax extension with the IRS. If you are an Indian in the US who is unsure to file a personal tax extension, we can help you. 

Our easy 8-step guide will walk you through the process on how to file a tax extension in eight easy steps.

But, first things first.

What Is Personal Tax Extension Form 4868?

What-is-form-4868

The deadline to file federal taxes in the United States is April 15. However, many people are unable to meet the deadline due to various reasons. In this scenario, one can fill out Form 4868 to file a personal tax extension. However, you have to submit this form to the IRS (Internal Revenue Services) before the due date. This will let you avail a six months extension till October 17 to file your income tax returns (ITR). 

However, this extension is on filing the ITR and not on the tax payment. You will be required to make the income tax payment by April 15. Failing to do so will attract penalties. Moreover, this form is to be filled by individuals and not by businesses or corporations.

Recommended: Indians in the US must file taxes irrespective of their immigration status – AOTAX.COM

Documents needed:

Form 4868 is available on the IRS website. You will need the following details to complete the form:

  1. Your social security number (and your spouse’s too if filing a joint return)
  2. Address
  3. Estimate of tax liability for the year
  4. Taxes already paid (tax withheld by an employer)
  5. Calculation of deductions and credits

Where to file?

Filing a personal tax extension is easy, free, and convenient. One can file it electronically on the IRS website. Or print a form from the website, fill in the requisite details and mail it to the IRS directly.

How To File A Personal Tax Extension?

How-to-file-a-personal-tax-extension

Filing a personal tax extension may sound more difficult than it is. But it is convenient if done before the due date. Here is a guide to help you file a personal tax extension:

1. Electronically 

You can use IRS Free-file (IRS Free File | Internal Revenue Service)to file a personal tax extension via form 4868. Once you fill in the required information and make the tax payment, you will receive an acknowledgment from the IRS. Keep it as a record to submit it in October when you file your returns. One can use Free File to file form 4868 if their adjusted gross income is under $73,000 for the last financial year. If your income is above the threshold, opt for the IRS Fillable Forms tool(Free File Fillable Forms | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov) to file for a personal extension. Your tax preparer can also help you with it.

2. Mailing A Tax Extension Request 

If you are planning to send your request for a personal tax extension by mail, print form 4868 from the IRS website. You can also get the form from your local post office or the IRS.

Fill in the details, attach your tax payment check, and mail it to the IRS. Snail mail takes time, so rather than waiting until April, do it now.

3. Tax Payment 

Form 4868 buys you more time to file your taxes. However, this does not defer your payment till October. One is required to pay their dues by April 15. Hence, you can pay a portion or all of your taxes online through a debit or credit card, or DirectPay. You can also mail a check or send a money order to the ‘United States Treasury’ along with your form 4868.  

4. Special Tax Payment Extensions 

Certain individuals get an automatic 60 days extension on filing and payment of their ITR. These are citizens or resident aliens of the United States who live outside of the United States or Puerto Rico. They could be serving in the military or on the naval outside of the United States or Puerto Rico.

Similarly, those in the Armed forces working in combat zones in or outside the US also get 180 days tax payment extension. All the above-mentioned individuals should explain the reason for the delay when they file their returns. However, if you owe taxes to the IRS by the due date, be prepared to pay the interest on the amount accrued.

5. Tax Extension Approval 

If you apply for a tax extension online, you will receive confirmation within 24 hours. However, you may need to phone the IRS office to see if your request has been received if you’ve sent it via snail mail. The IRS will usually allow you an extension unless there is a problem with your form. And will not contact you unless there is a problem with your form.Also, you will not be contacted by the IRS if you have filled the form properly.

6. Tax Payment Options 

If you can’t pay your taxes in full by the April deadline, you can choose to pay them in installments. The IRS’s website allows you to select a payment plan.

7. Tax Relief Options 

If you require tax relief due to financial difficulty, you must file Form 843 (Form 843 (Rev. August 2011) (irs.gov). The same holds if you haven’t paid your taxes in a while or if the IRS has given you incorrect written advice. You can file an appeal if they reject your request.

8. State Tax Extensions 

The above method is applicable for federal tax extensions. Some states offer a six-month automatic personal tax extension, while others do not collect state taxes at all. For more information, get in touch with the appropriate state officials.

It is easier to file a personal tax extension if the preceding steps are followed. Do not, however, use it as an excuse to pay your taxes late. You’ll get in trouble with the IRS and face a penalty if you do.

Recommended: 9 Mistakes to Avoid While Income Tax Filing – AOTAX.COM

Are you still skeptical about filing a personal tax extension yourself? Then we are here to help you out. Use the services of AOTAX to remain on top of your tax deadlines. Over 2 lac Indians have benefited from our team of skilled tax consultants and planners who have helped them submit their US taxes on time.

Filing Income Tax Extension

Filing Income Tax Extension

by | Oct 17, 2017 | Tax Extension

Filing Income Tax Extension

 

Even though we know the billing date or due date for credit card payment or phone bill payment we at times miss the same. Though we are not being negligent regarding it, we tend to miss them amidst all the work and chaos in life. The same applies to tax filing as well. We all are aware that come spring, we need to file our taxes. But that never ending project, deadlines for meeting customer requirements, the problem at home, or just plain old Forgot can be the most common reasons for missing filing of tax returns.

Fortunately, IRS understands the same and has a provision in place for such situations. Unlike paying bills, the filing of tax can be a bit time consuming. So if it is already mid of April and you suddenly wake up to realize you are nowhere close to filing income tax returns, just don’t worry. All that you need to do is fill up the Form 4868 and file it.

This then enables you for an automatic extension of six months to finish up with the filing of your tax returns.

All that you need to know about Form 4868 and its filing is below.

What is it?

Filing a Form 4868 provides you with a six month extension for filing your tax returns. Given the fact that the last date for filing tax returns is April 15th, the extended date usually works out to be the 15th of October. However, you might get a few additional days if 15th April is a public holiday or weekend.

In order to benefit from the extension of tax return filing, it is crucial that you fill up the Form 4868 and file it on or before the due date of April 15th.

Details needed for Form 4868

Unlike most other things related to the filing of taxes and tax returns, Form 4868 can be a sign of relief with its simplicity. IRS asks for the following details:

  • Name of individual (spouse name also if married filing jointly)
  • Current address
  • Social security number
  • Estimated tax liability for the year in question
  • Sum total of all payments you have made towards the tax you owe
  • Outstanding tax amount

How to file Form 4868?

You can simply log on to the website of IRS and e-file your extension. On successful receipt of the same, IRS will send you back an acknowledgment. You can use this acknowledgment as a reference in the future, should there be a need for one.

IRS provides an online gateway for paying part of your remaining taxes or the complete amount through its website, specifically IRS Direct Pay.

You can also use your debit card or credit card to pay for the taxes, again by accessing the IRS website. There are provisions for payment over the phone, but that comes with some additional charges. For people who are not all that tech savvy, you can go the old-school way as well. Take a print out of the filled up form and send it across to the IRS center as per your area or region.

You do need to keep in mind that with the extension, IRS doesn’t give you more time to pay your taxes. You will still end up paying fines and penalties for any outstanding amount by the due date. However, extension lets you cut down on the fines and penalties drastically. If it weren’t for the extension, one might end up paying about 10 times more money in fines and penalties. During the spring, if you have that eerie feeling that you cannot complete your tax returns on time, don’t shy away from filing an extension. It will not only allow you to extend the timeline for filing tax returns but also bring down the penalties and fines.

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