File a federal tax extension
You can get an automatic six-month extension to file your 2026 federal tax return, for free, by April 15, 2027. Your new filing deadline is October 15, 2027. Here is how, and the one thing an extension does not do.
The short version
- Who: any individual taxpayer. No reason is needed, and the IRS does not send an approval letter.
- What: IRS Form 4868 for individuals. Businesses use Form 7004.
- When: by the original due date, April 15, 2027 for most 2026 returns.
- Cost: free through IRS Free File, or with your payment.
- The catch: it extends the time to file, not to pay. Estimate what you owe and pay by April 15 to avoid penalties.
Tax extension deadline checker
- Original due date
- Thursday, April 15, 2027
- File this to extend
- Form 4868, by the original due date
- Extended due date
- Friday, October 15, 2027
- Pay what you owe by
- Thursday, April 15, 2027
- Days left
- Turn on JavaScript to count the days.
Dates move to the next business day when they fall on a weekend or legal holiday. If you live in a federally declared disaster area, the IRS may have postponed your dates; check IRS disaster relief.
Four ways to get an extension
IRS Free File
Any individual can e-file Form 4868 for free through the IRS Free File program, regardless of income.
Pay and select “extension”
Pay all or part of your tax with IRS Direct Pay, your IRS Online Account, EFTPS, or a debit or credit card, and choose “extension” as the reason. No separate form is needed.
Tax software or a preparer
Most tax software and tax professionals can e-file Form 4868 for you, usually in a few minutes.
Mail Form 4868
Print the form, fill it in and mail it to the address in the instructions for your state. It must be postmarked by the deadline.
How to file a tax extension in five steps
- Estimate your 2026 tax. Use last year’s return and this year’s income records to estimate your total federal tax for 2026, then subtract withholding and estimated payments.
- Pay what you can by April 15, 2027. An extension gives you more time to file, not to pay. Paying by the original deadline limits penalties and interest.
- Request the extension. Use IRS Free File, e-file Form 4868 with tax software, or pay electronically and mark the payment as an extension. Mailing Form 4868 also works if it is postmarked by April 15.
- Keep the confirmation. Save the e-file acknowledgment or payment confirmation. The IRS does not send a separate approval letter for an automatic extension.
- File by October 15, 2027. File your complete return by the extended deadline and pay any remaining balance with it.
Not sure what you owe? Our balance-due estimator shows how penalties and interest add up if you pay late.
Services that can file your extension
You don’t need a paid service to get an extension. If you would rather have software prepare and e-file it with your return, these are options readers often consider.
TaxExtension.com
An online service built around IRS extension forms, including Form 4868 for individuals and Form 7004 for businesses.
Best for: Filing only the extension, quickly
Visit the provider’s own site to compare current pricing and terms.
E-file.com
Online tax preparation and e-filing for individual federal returns.
Best for: Preparing and e-filing the full return later
Visit the provider’s own site to compare current pricing and terms.
FreeTaxUSA
Online tax software for individual federal and state returns, including extensions.
Best for: Budget-conscious filers comfortable doing their own taxes
Visit the provider’s own site to compare current pricing and terms.
TaxAct
Online tax software for individuals and small businesses, with options for extensions.
Best for: Self-employed and small-business filers
Visit the provider’s own site to compare current pricing and terms.