You can file an extension for your taxes by submitting Form 4868 with the IRS online or by mail. This must be done before the last day for filing taxes. Filing an extension for your taxes gives you additional months to prepare your return no matter the reason you need the extra time.
What is a tax extension?
When some taxpayers ask, “How do I get an extension for my taxes?” they might be thinking of the taxes owed and not the return itself.
This question calls attention to a key distinction about what a tax extension is — and what it is not. An extension only gives you more time to finish the paperwork, not more time to pay.
Your tax payment is due on the tax deadline, which typically falls on April 15 or on the next business day if it falls on a weekend or holiday.
- If you know you’ll be getting a refund, you won’t need to worry about paying when you are filing an extension for taxes. The earlier you file your return, the earlier you’ll receive your refund.
- If you think or know you’ll owe, you should estimate your tax liability and pay the amount due when you file Form 4868.
Is there a penalty for filing for a tax extension?
Filing a tax extension is not a bad thing. There is no penalty for filing an extension. However, not paying on time or enough, or failing to file altogether, may cost you.
- If you don’t pay the full amount you owe, the IRS will charge you interest on the unpaid balance until you pay the full amount.
- If you don’t pay at least 90% of the amount you owe, you might also be subject to a late payment penalty. The penalty is usually half of 1% of the amount owed for each month, up to a maximum of 25%.
- If you don’t file either your return or Form 4868 by the tax filing deadline, you’ll be subject to a late filing penalty. The penalty is usually 5% of the amount you owe for each month, up to a maximum of 25%.
After you file the extension, you’ll have until October 15 to gather your documents and finish your filing. When you complete your return, you should include the amount you’ve already paid in the payments section of your Form 1040.
Can you file a tax extension online? What ways are there?
Form 4868 is the IRS document you complete to receive an automatic extension to file your return. You can file a tax extension online in one of several ways with H&R Block. While you won’t be filling out the paper Form 4868 line-by-line, your tax extension information will be sent online to the IRS.
Here’s how to get an extension on your taxes with H&R Block*
- File your tax extension online on your own – Start with an existing H&R Block Online account or create a new one to submit your extension. If you’ve filed with us online in the past, this experience will be familiar to you. Our program will ask you all the relevant questions, so you can file your extension with the IRS.
- File your tax extension with a tax pro virtually – Work with H&R Block to connect with a remote tax expert who can submit your tax extension for you. If you haven’t started your return with us virtually, select the version of H&R Block Virtual for your situation and complete the initial information. Then once you’ve created your account, send your tax pro a secure message to request the extension. Already working with a pro? Simply connect with them to determine if an extension is necessary.
- Have a local tax pro file your extension – Work with your current tax pro to file your extension virtually. Log into your MyBlock account and send your tax pro a secure message to request the extension.
Don’t live in the United States? Find out how to file an extension when you’re living abroad from our Expat Tax Services team.
* Fees may apply.
File an Extension Online
General Information:
If you cannot file your North Carolina Individual Income Tax Return, Form D-400, by the original due date of the return, you may apply for a six-month extension of time to file the return. The original due date of the individual income tax return for calendar year taxpayers is April 15th. For taxpayers with a fiscal year end, the original due date of the individual income tax return is the fifteenth day of the fourth month following the close of the fiscal year.
A taxpayer who is granted an automatic extension to file a federal income tax return will be granted an automatic extension to file the corresponding North Carolina income tax return. In order to receive an automatic State extension, the taxpayer must certify on the North Carolina tax return that the person was granted an automatic federal extension.
A taxpayer who is not granted an automatic extension to file a federal income tax return must file Form D-410, Application for Extension for Filing Individual Income Tax Return, by the original due date of the return in order to receive an extension for North Carolina income tax purposes. Without a valid extension, an individual income tax return filed after the original due date is delinquent and subject to interest and all applicable penalties provided by law.
You are not required to send a payment of the tax you expect to owe to receive an extension; however, it will benefit you to pay as much as you can by the original due date. An extension of time may be granted even if the application for extension is not accompanied by a payment of the tax due. However, an extension of time for filing a tax return does not extend the time for paying the tax due. If you do not pay the amount of tax due by the original due date, you will owe a ten percent (10%) late payment penalty and interest. The late payment penalty will not be due if you pay at least 90 percent (90%) of your tax liability through withholding, estimated tax payments, or with Form D-410 by the original due date.
If your return is complete by the original due date but you are not able to pay the tax you owe, you should not request an extension. Instead, file your return by the original due date and pay as much tax as you can to minimize any penalties and interest due. You must also request an extension if you expect a refund but cannot file your return by the original due date. You will not receive your refund until you file your income tax return.
Out of Country Extension
If you are required to file a North Carolina individual income tax return and you are out of the country on the original due date of the return, you are granted an automatic four-month extension for filing your North Carolina individual income tax return if you fill in the "Out of Country" circle on Page 1 of Form D-400. "Out of Country" means you live outside the United States and Puerto Rico and your main place of work is outside the United States and Puerto Rico, or you are in military service outside the United States and Puerto Rico. The time for payment of the tax is also extended; however, interest is due on any unpaid tax from the original due date until the tax is paid.
If you are unable to file your income tax return within the automatic four-month extension period, an additional two-month extension may be obtained by filling in the circle at the bottom right of Form D-410 or selecting "Y" at the "Out of country on due date prompt" on the Department's personalized form creator. To receive the additional two-month extension, Form D-410 must be filed by August 15. Importantly, a taxpayer who is granted an automatic extension to file the corresponding State income tax return if they certify on the State return that the federal extension was granted. Consequently, an "Out of Country" taxpayer granted an automatic six-month extension to file the State income tax return will not be required to file Form D-410 to receive the additional two-month extension.
Filing an Extension
You can apply for a North Carolina extension and pay your tax online using the following options:
- eFile - File Form D-410 and remit your tax payment using a tax professional or commercial tax preparation software (see list of approved eFile vendors). Using eFile allows you to file federal and State forms at the same time or separately. Free eFile is available for those who qualify.
- Online File and Pay - file Form D-410 and remit your tax payment using the Department's website (no access to federal filing and paying).
If you are unable to apply for an extension and pay your tax online or if you want to file your extension in paper form, you can create a personalized Form D-410.