Haven't Filed Your Return? Here's What You Can Do

You haven’t filed your return and you may be feeling anxious. Well don’t panic. The IRS allows you to file an extension which gives you an additional 6 months to file it. One thing to consider is that it’s not an extension to pay your taxes, so you still have to make a payment if you owe.

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Per the IRS, below is what you can do if you haven’t filed your return:

Key points to remember

It’s an extension to file your tax return and it’s due on April 15th
It’s NOT an extension to pay your taxes. Your payment is still due by April 15th
You have until October 15, 2024 to file your return. If the date falls on a weekend or holiday then the due date is the following business day
You can request an extension on the IRS website with one of their trusted partners

How to file the extension

You can file an extension electronically as you make a payment by creating an online account. There you can specify with your payment that you are requesting an extension
You can mail form 4868 postmarked by April 15th
Special rules may apply if you:
- Live outside the US
- Qualify for tax relief in a disaster situation
- Serve in a combat zone

Making payments

To avoid penalties and interest, your payment needs to be 100% of what you paid last year or 90% of what you expect your tax liability to be for the current year.
You can pay online with your bank account by using Direct Pay, or with your credit card, debit card, or digital wallet
Download the app IRS2Go
You can send a payment with form 4868

What happens if you can’t pay what’s due?

Pay as much as you can with your extension
Communicate with the IRS as you may be able to set up a short-term extension to pay (paid within 120 days or less)
Apply online for payment plan if you owe less than $50,000
If you owe more than $50,000, you may still qualify for an installment plan, but you will need to complete Collection Information Statement, Form 433-A
Offer in compromise if paying will create a financial hardship
Penalty Relief – you may qualify if circumstances were beyond your control

Need help with tax withholding?

If you need help figuring out your tax withholding see IRS Tax Withholding Estimator
You can also get help figuring out estimated tax payments with pay as you go

Need Help Filing Your Return

If you need help with your return, you can go here.

Call: 800-829-1040

7 am to 7 pm local time

Callers who are hearing impaired

TTY/TDD 800-829-4059

Check Your Refund

To check the status of your refund, you can go here.

Mindful Reminder

The one thing to remember is to stay calm and don’t allow yourself to follow any stories about yourself. Failing to file by April 15th isn’t the end of the world. Your sanity and peace of mind are more important. Take the time to file an extension and if you can’t make the full payment, breathe, and promptly communicate with the IRS. They are not as scary as you may think. The sooner you speak to them about your situation, the better chances you have of reducing an additional tax liability.

Preparing for Tax Season	Education Credits	It’s IRA Season
Expenses for Business Use of your Home	Family Tax Credits	Saver’s Credit

References

IRS. (2024). About form 4868, application for automatic extension of time to file u.s. individual income tax return. Retrieved from: https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-4868

IRS. (2023). Apply online for a payment plan. Retrieved from: https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-payment-agreement-application

IRS. (2021). Can’t pay the tax you owe? Retrieved from: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4849.pdf

IRS. (2022). Collection information statement for wage earners and self-employed individuals. Retrieved from: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f433a.pdf

IRS. (2023). Direct pay with bank account. Retrieved from: https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay

IRS. (2023). Extension of deadlines — combat zone service. Retrieved from: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/extension-of-deadlines-combat-zone-service

IRS. (2024). Extension of time to file your tax return. Retrieved from: https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/extension-of-time-to-file-your-tax-return

IRS. (2024). Free file: everyone can file an extension for free. Retrieved from: https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-everyone-can-file-an-extension-for-free

IRS. (n.d.). How can we help you?. Retrieved from: https://www.irs.gov/

IRS. (2024). IRS free file: do your taxes for free. Retrieved from: https://www.irs.gov/irs-free-file-do-your-taxes-for-free

IRS. (2024). IRS2Go mobile app. Retrieved from: https://www.irs.gov/help/irs2goapp

IRS. (2024). Let us help you. Retrieved from: https://www.irs.gov/help/telephone-assistance

IRS. (2024). Make a Payment. Retrieved from: https://www.irs.gov/payments

IRS. (2024). Offer in compromise. Retrieved from: https://www.irs.gov/payments/offer-in-compromise

IRS. (2024). Pay as you go, so you won’t owe: a guide to withholding, estimated taxes, and ways to avoid the estimated tax penalty. Retrieved from: https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-as-you-go-so-you-wont-owe-a-guide-to-withholding-estimated-taxes-and-ways-to-avoid-the-estimated-tax-penalty

IRS. (2024). Pay your taxes by debit or credit card or digital wallet. Retrieved from: https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-your-taxes-by-debit-or-credit-card

IRS. (2023). Penalty relief. Retrieved from: https://www.irs.gov/payments/penalty-relief

IRS. (2024). Publication 54 (2023), Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad. Retrieved from: https://www.irs.gov/publications/p54

IRS. (2024). Tax relief in disaster situations. Retrieved from: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations

IRS. (2024). Tax withholding estimator. Retrieved from: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator

IRS. (2024). Your online account. Retrieved from: https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account

Haven’t Filed Your Return? Here’s What You Can Do