Form 4868 Individual Income Tax Return Extension

How to Extend a Federal Return – IRS Tax Deadline, How Long You Get

Apr 3, 2009
Lena Gott

Extend Form 1040; File IRS Form 4868 by Mail - dee with MorgueFile

Wondering how to extend a federal tax return? When's the deadline and how long do you get to file? Get Form 4868 info. U.S. individuals extend Form 1040 & other returns.

Learn how to extend a U.S. individual federal income tax return. See below for facts about Form 4868 and tips for filing tax return extensions.

How Long Can An Individual Federal Tax Return Be Extended? Which Forms Does It Extend?

A timely filed and accepted Form 4868 gives the taxpayer a six month extension. For tax returns originally due on April 15th, the extended due date is October 15th.

Form 4868 can be used to extend the following tax returns:

Form 1040
Form 1040A
Form 1040EZ
Form 1040NR
Form 1040NR-EZ

Form 709, commonly known as the gift tax return, is also extended upon filing Form 4868.

Where to Download Form 4868 from irs.gov – April 15th Tax Deadline

To download Form 4868, visit the IRS website (irs.gov), then click on “More Forms and Publications.” Next, click on “Form and Instruction Number (PDF)” and type “4868” in the “Find” search box. Two versions of the form should appear – one in English and one in Spanish. Open the appropriate version by clicking on the text “Form 4868" or “Form 4868(SP)” under the “Product Number” heading. The form and filing instructions will open in a single PDF file.

Tips for Filing Individual Income Tax Return Extensions – IRS Form 4868 Mailing Address, Deadline

Here are some tips to keep in mind when filing an individual tax return extension:

Double-check the mailing address. There are many different IRS mailing addresses depending on the taxpayer’s residency and whether or not a payment is being made with Form 4868.
Never send cash. Either pay with a credit card, electronic transfer or by check or money order. If paying by check or money order, make sure it’s payable to the “United States Treasury” and write your social security number, daytime phone number, and “Year X Form 4868” on the check.
Use an approved mailing service and get written proof of mailing date. The United States Postal Service is a good option; DHL, FedEx, and UPS are approved private mailing services. See page 4 of the Form 4868 instructions (2008 version) for a list of the exact mailing options if you opt to use one of the private delivery services.
File Form 4868 on or before the tax deadline. For most taxpayers who use a calendar year, this means that the extension is due on or before April 15th.

Note: Taxpayers who are considered out of the country are allowed certain concessions. See the instructions to Form 4868 (see link above) for details on special instructions if you are considered outside of the United States or Puerto Rico (same goes for military personnel outside of the U.S. or Puerto Rico).

Resources:

IRS website, irs.gov

Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return