Yes, you can get an
extension of time from the IRS to file your tax return.
You can get an automatic six-month
tax
extension for filing Form 1040, Form 1040A or Form 1040EZ by filing Form 4868,
Application for
Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return on or before
April 15th (April 17th for 2006). By filing the extension tax form, you avoid the late filing tax penalty. However,
Form
4868 does not extend the time to pay your tax. You must pay the amount of
the tax
estimated to be due for the tax year. Interest will be charged on unpaid tax from the original
due date of the tax return.
You should send your extension tax form to the IRS Service
Center where you file your tax return. For a list of addresses click
here.
You can also request to pay any
IRS tax due in Installment Payments.
No late-payment tax penalties will be imposed if the total tax paid (through
tax withholding,
estimated tax payments, or the amount accompanying Form 4868) equals at least 90% of the
total tax due and the remaining unpaid balance of tax is paid with the tax return before the end of
the tax extension period.
If you are unable to pay the tax due and doing so would result in a severe hardship you
can apply for a special tax payment extension on Form 1127.
I'll be overseas on April 15th
Special IRS tax rules apply to U.S. citizens and residents who are not in the United States on
April 15th. For more information, refer to IRS Publication 54, Tax Guide for
U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad.
You are allowed an automatic 2-month
tax extension (until June 15th, if you use a calendar tax
year) to file your tax return and pay any tax that is due if you are a U.S.
Citizen or resident and on the regular due date (April 15th, if you use a calendar
tax year):
In such instances, you will have an additional two months to file
your tax return and pay any tax that
is due, but interest will be charged from the original due date of the tax return on any
unpaid tax. You must attach a statement to your tax return, showing that you met the
requirements.
Vacationing is a temporary status that does not meet the criteria for the automatic
2-month tax extension.
An extension of time to file your
tax return is not valid if it does not show
an accurate estimate of your tax liability - based upon all the facts and information that
you have at the time that you filed the tax extension. If your estimate of tax is later found by the
IRS to be "improper" your tax extension will be revoked and you'll be subject to
tax
penalties for failure to file your tax return.
