Requesting a Time Extension from the IRS to File your Tax Return

You do not necessarily have to file your tax return with the IRS in mid-April each year. The IRS will kindly pass this back term to you for six months. All you have to do is ask for it.

Until 2005, it used to be that you could ask for a second extension of the deadline to submit your personal income tax return with the IRS. Not anymore, but this is not as bad as it really looks. The amount of extra time you get works out just the same as it was back in the old days, but in recent times you only have to order it once rather than twice. You don’t have to keep in mind that you will have to go back and tap the IRS on the shoulder a second time

The old procedure 

Under the old extension process that was in effect until 2004, you can ask for an automatic four-month extension, followed by a second two-month extension. Form 2688 was used to ask for the second extension, but this is obsolete and is no more in used.

Your request for an automatic time extension will grant you the same extra six months to file your taxes, but this is your only opportunity to ask for some relief.

What happens when you archive an extension?

Filing an extension is one of the easiest challenges you will ever come across. But before doing so, you must understand precisely what you need to do and what you do not.

The deadline for filing your personal tax return is April 15, unless you live in Maine or Massachusetts. These states acknowledge patriot day on April 15 and April 16 is Emancipation Day in Washington DC, so inhabitants have until April 17 to file.

When you submit Form 4868, the new deadline for filing a tax return will be October 15, 2019. But, and this is a huge payment, but-taxes for the 2018 tax year are still due until April 15, 2019. An extension does not give you more time to pay. The IRS will charge interest at times even penalties on tax payments made after April 15th.

Foremost, create a draft of your tax return. You are not going to file it. You just want an idea as to whether you expect a refund this year or you may owe taxes.

Now download form 4868 application for automatic time extension to file US Individual Income Tax Return on the IRS website. Fill in.

If you make use of tax preparation software, these programs will almost invariably have a 4868 e-file for you, usually at no cost. Just make sure that you do it before midnight on the deadline day. Usually, it can take five to 20 minutes to present the extension online, so give yourself enough time to finish before midnight.

Here is a list of mailing addresses for sending Form 4868 to the IRS if you wish to send it to good, old – fashioned way. If you do not electronically submit the form with tax preparation software, your extension must be stamped on or before the April 15, 2019 deadline.

It is a good idea to send the extension form by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt. This provides evidence that you did, in fact, submit your request for an extension and when they did, as well as evidence that the IRS received the form.

 How to pay

If you owe taxes, send a check with the extension form. If you do not owe taxes, just send the form. You can as well go to the IRS Direct Pay website and send payment there if you file Form 4868 online. Some software vendors are created to allow you to pay by direct debit from your bank account the moment you submit the extension form.

Procedure for Americans living abroad 

Americans living in other countries can sometimes ask for additional time to file beyond the six-month extension to October 15, but they must submit an additional form. Request the first extension with form 4868, and then submit Form 2350. This form asks for more time for Form file 1040 so you can benefit from special tax treatment. The IRS clearly explains this special procedure and the circumstances under which it may be of use. 

 

How to Mail Tax Returns If You Live Outside the US

You can submit your tax return or payment using the United States Postal Service, if you are shipping from within the US, but consider using a private delivery service otherwise, especially if you want evidence that your return tax was sent on time.

This will also help you to avoid any failures with international mail.

The IRS will approve the “shipped on” date on envelopes sent using Federal Express or United Parcel Service, as with US mail, but you must use one of the approved classes of service for the UPS, FedEx or DHL Express.

Federal Express (FedEx): Use Priority Overnight Standard Overnight, 2 Day, Priority International, International First, First Overnight, International First next flight, or International Economy.

United Parcel Service (UPS): Use Next Day Air, Next Day Air Saver, 2 Day Air, 2nd Day Air AM, Worldwide Express plus Worldwide Express, or Next Day Air early AM.

DHL Express: Make use of DHL Express, DHL Express Worldwide, DHL Express Envelope, DHL Import Express, or Import Express Worldwide.

International taxpayers usually send their returns to the Texas service center, but the address where you must send your return may differ depending on your case. 

When you are submitting multiple tax returns

Consider putting each one in its own envelope, if you are sending two or more tax return to the IRS at the same time, then place each of these envelopes in a larger envelope. Send the larger envelope to the IRS by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt. When the IRS opens the larger envelope, it will immediately and easily be able to resolve each of your tax documents separately.