Fill out 4868 (Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File) online
Form 4868 grants an automatic 6-month extension to file your individual income tax return. It extends the filing deadline but does not extend the time to pay tax owed.
How to fill out 4868 (Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File)
Enter your personal information
Fill in your name, address, and Social Security number. If filing jointly, include your spouse information.
Estimate your total tax liability
Calculate your estimated total tax for the year on line 4. Use your prior year return and current year income as a guide.
Enter total payments made
Add up all federal income tax payments already made, including withholding, estimated tax payments, and credits. Enter on line 5.
Calculate balance due
Subtract total payments (line 5) from estimated tax (line 4). If you owe, enter the amount on line 6 and pay by the original due date to avoid penalties.
About 4868 (Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File)
Who needs this form
Any individual taxpayer who needs more time to prepare and file their Form 1040. You do not need to provide a reason. However, you must still estimate and pay any tax owed by the original due date to avoid penalties and interest.
Where to submit
File electronically through IRS e-file, use IRS Free File, or mail to the IRS address listed in the form instructions. Payment can be made electronically at irs.gov/payments.
Source and content freshness
- Reviewed: 2026-02-16
- Check the latest official form instructions for the filing year that applies to you.
- Filing deadlines may shift for weekends and holidays. Verify due dates with official instructions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Thinking the extension also extends the time to pay taxes owed
- Not estimating and paying the tax owed by the original due date
- Filing after the original deadline (the extension request must be timely)
- Forgetting to actually file the return by the extended deadline
Frequently asked questions
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Does filing an extension give me more time to pay?
No. Form 4868 extends the deadline to file, not the deadline to pay. Any tax owed is still due by the original payment deadline listed in current IRS instructions. If you miss that payment deadline, interest and penalties may apply.
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