They will even send you a confirmation via e-mail or text message. If you wish to make a tax payment, you will be able to choose to pay with direct withdrawal from a bank account (account and routing numbers required) or pay with a credit card (IRS fees apply).Īfterward, you can confirm the status of your extension e-file by going to. If you don’t think you’ll owe any taxes, you can just put down zero as your expected tax liability. If you fill out more details in the main software, then the estimate will be improved. TaxACT also provides a tax liability estimator to help you determine if you need to make a payment with your extension. TaxACT will file the form electronically for you (or you can print and snail mail). You will then be guided through the Form 4868 in a question-and-answer format. You will be able to choose whether to file extension for Federal, State, or both. To go directly to the extension form, click on the “Filing” tab on the left menu, and then the “File Extension” link right below it. Some states don’t even require a separate filing, but TaxAct supports the electronic filing of extension forms for the following states: You don’t need to fill it out, just add it so they know what state you are filing for. Next, if you wish to perform a state tax extension, you must go to the “State” menu option on the left and add the appropriate state tax return. You don’t need to actually use them to file your taxes later, although you certainly can.įirst, register for free at with your e-mail address and pick a password if you haven’t previously. Tax prep software allows you to e-File your Federal and State extension (where applicable) for free through them. This is how I usually do my extension because they include state as well. The potential convenience of filing your state tax extension online at the same time.

You receive confirmation of receipt via e-mail or text, often within hours.

You can estimate your tax liability using online software and/or calculators.

You save the time and postage costs of paper mailings.

(State extension where available.) I have done a dry run with each option. Here’s how to e-File a federal and state tax extension for free. The penalty for late filing is many times higher than the penalty for late payment! If you are not 100% sure you can file in time, file for an extension. There are many legitimate reasons to ask for such an extension, and the extension is granted automatically without needing to provide a specific reason. It does not extend the time to pay any tax due, although due to the coronavirus the IRS has extended the tax payment deadline by 90 days for everyone. If you file for an extension before that date, you can extend the time allowed to file your return by six months to Thursday, October 15, 2020.

This year, the deadline for federal tax filing is Wednesday, April 15th, 2020.

Irs file extension online free