Form 4868 is used to request an extension of time to file an individual tax return – Form 1040. Some taxpayers may be eligible for automatic extensions of time to file (see Special Extensions below for details).
Important: Form 4868 is only an extension of time to file, not an extension of time to pay any amount due. If you expect to owe taxes, you still need to pay amount due by the filing deadline to avoid late fees and penalties. You must estimate the tax due amount and pay when you file the extension request.
Generate and File
Online
To complete a federal and/or state extension in TaxAct online, follow these steps:
- From within your TaxAct return, click File Extension on the left.
- You can also expand Filing and select File Extension.
- On smaller devices, click in the upper left-hand corner, then click Federal.
- Continue with the interview process to enter your information.
- State extensions can be generated at the same time as the federal, where supported. If you are not prompted to create the state extension, be sure that you have added the state to your return by clicking the State menu and providing basic information.
- On the screen titled How would you like to submit your extension request?, select either print or e-file your extension.
If you expect to receive a refund (i.e. your total 2024 payments are more than your estimated tax liability), the program will automatically enter zero (0) for your balance due on Line 6.
Desktop
If using the DIY desktop version to complete a federal and/or state extension, follow these steps instead:
- Click on the Filing tab and select File Extension.
- Choose Federal and State, Federal Only, or State Only.
- Follow the walk-through Complete Form 4868 or Estimate My Tax (prior to completing Form 4868).
- On the Form 4868 - Filing screen, choose either Print Form 4868 or E-File Form 4868.
If you expect to receive a refund (i.e. your total 2024 payments are more than your estimated tax liability), the program will automatically enter zero (0) for your balance due on Line 6.
After Filing Form 4868
To continue with your regular return, open the return and click Federal to proceed through the Q&A process.
To enter the amount paid with Federal Form 4868 on your Federal return: - Open your return and click Federal.
- If using TaxAct online on a smaller device, click in the upper left-hand corner, then click Federal.
- Under Select Topics Myself, click Miscellaneous Topics, then click Amount Paid with a request for extension of time to file.
- Enter the Amount you have already paid with Form 4868, then click Continue.
Special Extensions
Outside U.S. and Puerto Rico
If you are currently outside the United States and Puerto Rico, you may qualify for an automatic two-month extension.
To indicate that you are out of the country, check the box on the screen titled Form 4868 - Out of the Country. For this screen to appear, the date entered for Today's Date must be 4/15/2025 or later.
You must attach a statement to your return explaining that you qualify for the automatic extension:
- From within your TaxAct return, click Federal.
- If using TaxAct online on a smaller device, click in the upper left-hand corner, then click Federal.
- Expand Miscellaneous Topics.
- Scroll down and expand Additional Information for E-Filing.
- Click the Explanation for Automatic 2 Month Extension for Taxpayers Out of Country.
- Enter an explanation that shows one of the following applies to you:
- You are living outside the United States and Puerto Rico and your main place of business or post of duty is outside the United States and Puerto Rico; or
- You are in military or naval service on duty outside the United States and Puerto Rico.
- Click Continue to attach the explanation to your return.
If you qualify for the automatic two-month extension but would like to request an additional four months by filing Form 4868, see the steps above instead.
Disaster Areas
If the IRS postpones filing and payment obligations for a disaster area, the due date for filing a return (or an extension) is postponed to that date. If you need more time, you can request an extension of time to file until Wednesday, October 15, 2025. If you are making the request before Tuesday, April 15, 2025, it can be e-filed, however, if you are attempting to submit the extension request after Tuesday, April 15, 2025, the extension request must be paper-filed. If the postponed deadline due to disaster falls after Wednesday, October 15, 2025, the return would be due on the later date, and no additional extensions of time to file are available.
For more information about disasters, call 1 (866) 562-5227, or visit the following IRS pages:
Military
If you are active-duty military, you may have additional time to file your return, and/or pay any amount due. Review IRS Publication 3 for more details about whether you may qualify for these extensions.
Import Issue
If you e-file an extension before importing your data from last year, you will not be able to import any data into the return. If you want to import your data from last year, you will need to create a new return and import the data into the new return. This prevents overwriting the information you filed to the IRS, because importing overwrites return information.