{"id":78188,"date":"2026-04-16T20:12:58","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T20:12:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/tax-day-is-here-yes-you-can-still-get-an-extension-from-the-irs\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T20:12:58","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T20:12:58","slug":"tax-day-is-here-yes-you-can-still-get-an-extension-from-the-irs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/tax-day-is-here-yes-you-can-still-get-an-extension-from-the-irs\/","title":{"rendered":"Tax Day is here. Yes, you can still get an extension from the IRS."},"content":{"rendered":"


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Time is running out to file your tax return and meet the deadline on April 15. (That\u2019s today.)<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s tax season has been a doozy. Provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including new and expanded deductions, have pushed the average refund amount to nearly $3,500. The changes have also likely left some taxpayers cautious or confused, with the total number of returns received by the federal government lower for the week of April 3 than the same week last year.<\/p>\n

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But there\u2019s still time to pay your bill \u2014 or get the refund you\u2019re owed \u2014\u00a0and avoid penalties. Importantly, you also have right up until the deadline to contribute to your IRA or Roth IRA for 2025.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/p>\n

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Yes. Nearly anyone can extend their filing deadline to Oct. 15, and you have until today to file an extension. However, your tax payments must be submitted to the IRS by today, regardless.<\/p>\n

The penalty for failing to file by the deadline is up to 10 times more severe than the penalty for not paying your tax bill in time, according to Andy Phillips, vice president of the Tax Institute at H&R Block, underscoring just how important it is to apply for extra time if needed. For each month your return is late, you\u2019ll be fined 5% of your total tax bill, up to 25%, while the failure-to-pay penalty is 0.5% of unpaid taxes each month, up to 25%.<\/p>\n

\u201cRequesting an extension is better than nothing,\u201d Phillips said. \u201cEven if you can\u2019t submit payment, you\u2019re going to save yourself money in the long term if you file by the due date \u2014 a tax return if you\u2019re ready.\u00a0If not, an extension.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are a few ways to get an extension. When paying your tax bill online \u2014\u00a0even if it\u2019s only for an estimated amount based on your prior payments and adjusted gross income \u2014 you can note that you\u2019re doing so as a part of filing for an extension and receive a confirmation number, according to the IRS.<\/p>\n

Read more: <\/em>How to file an IRS tax extension: A step-by-step guide<\/em><\/p>\n

You can also file Form 4868 via mail, tax software, or a tax professional and receive an automatic extension \u2014 though, again, you have to estimate your tax liability for the year and report what you owe if you believe you\u2019ll have a payment due. While the form notes that an estimated tax payment isn\u2019t necessarily required to get extra time, interest and possibly penalties will be charged for late tax payments.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven if you had a good reason for not paying on time, you will still owe interest,\u201d the form states.<\/p>\n

Filers can sign up for a payment plan if they\u2019re unable to pay their tax bill, though fees and interest may be involved there too. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to pay what you can by the deadline.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n