How to Use Form 4868
You need to file Form 4868 if you want the Internal Revenue Service to give you an automatic extension on your federal taxes. If you use this form, you can get six extra months to file if you reside in the United States. If qualify as out of the country, you automatically get an extra two months to file. But this form can get you an additional four months. Like most IRS forms, this one can be a bit confusing to fill out if you have never done it before.
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Instructions
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Instructions
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Download Form 4868 from the IRS website. Make sure to get the form for the most recent tax year. Open the PDF of the form on your computer so you can start entering your information. Fill out the top section, "Identification," which asks for your name, Social Security number and mailing address.
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Fill in the section to the left of "Identification" called "Individual Income Tax." You need to type your tax liability for the year in question. On the first line, type your total tax liability, which is how much you owed in federal taxes, not your total earnings for the year. In the second box, fill in how much you have already paid, either via estimated tax payments or through your employer. Round all numbers to the nearest dollar.
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Subtract the amount you've paid already from your total liability and enter that number on the next line (line 7). This is the amount you owe. (If it's negative, the IRS owes you money. It's silly to ask for an extension in this case.) Check the box in line 8 if you are going to be out of the country on the date of the April tax deadline only if you live and work outside the United States or you are overseas because of military service.
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Check the box in line 9 if you filed a 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ, do not owe any withholding on your wages and have a tax deadline in June instead of April. This only applies to nonresident aliens.
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Print out your Form 4868 and mail it to the IRS at the appropriate address for your state of residence or to the mailing address for overseas residents. You can enclose a check for a portion of the amount you owe with your form. Write the check to "United States Treasury." Make sure your envelope is postmarked by April 15 or the next business day if April 15 is on a weekend.
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Tips & Warnings
If you're registered for IRS e-file, you can file your Form 4868 electronically. Note that it can take the IRS a week or more to set up your online account, so do not wait until the last minute.
This article is not a substitute for professional tax advice. Do not consider it as such. Using Form 4868 is not a free pass to pay your taxes late. You will be charged a percentage of the amount you owe as a penalty. That penalty increases the longer you take to file your return.
