eFile IRS Form 4868: File a Tax Extension Online

What is Form 4868?

The official name of the form is “Form 4868 : Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Income Tax Return”.

Avoid the Late-Filing Penalty

The most common penalties are filing late or paying taxes late. If the clock runs out, you can get an automatic six month extension of time to file to October 15.

Ready to file a business or personal income tax extension--but not sure how to do it? Don't worry. You don't need an accountant or a pile of paperwork. eFileForm4868.com recommends that you e-file your tax extension wi...

Worried about filing your taxes on time? eFile Form 4868

Are you struggling to get your taxes done by the deadline? You can electronically file a tax extension (Form 4868) and problem solved. Form 4868 is an application for automatic extension of time to file a U.S. Income Tax...

Step 1: Enter TaxPayer Information

Provide the personal data the IRS requires for you to file a tax extension.

Step 2: Estimate Your Taxes

Estimate if you are going to get a tax refund, or expect to owe a tax balance. If this sounds complicated, don’t worry… a company like FileLater makes it easy.

Step 3: Electronically File 4868

Electronically file your tax extension (form 4868) and receive an IRS approval using FileLater, an authorized IRS e-file provider.

Advantage of IRS eFile

An Email Confirmation from the IRS

If you file Form 4868 the old fashioned way (through the mail), you will never hear anything back from the IRS confirming your tax deadline has been extended from April 15 to October 15. Therefore, you may be accumulating late penalties for failure to file your taxes by the deadline without even knowing it.

If you eFile through a service like FileLater, you will get an email conforming that your extension application has been accepted.

What You Need to eFile 4868

In order to eFile Form 4868, you will need the following information:

- Taxpayer Address
- Taxpayer Social Security Number
- OPTIONAL: Spouse’s Social Security Number (If you are filing jointly)
- Estimate of Taxes Owed

How to eFile Form 4868

- Find an IRS efile provider
- Provide the required taxpayer info
- Estimate your taxes owed

What to look for when you eFile through a website

Make sure the website you use to eFile Form 4868 has the following credentials:

An authorized eFile provider logo that looks like the one to the right.
Better Business Bureau accreditation. Search for a business on the BBB website.
A recently updated Privacy Policy and License Agreement that is clearly accessible on the website.
A phone number you can call in case you want to speak with a real live person.

Form 4868 Quick Facts

The official name of the form is “Form 4868: Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Income Tax Return”.

What Form 4868 does is automatically grant individuals a 6-month extension for filing their federal individual tax return. So, if you are not able to file your tax return by the due date (which for most Americans is April 15), filing Form 4868 gives you an extra six months to file your taxes.

In addition to individuals, Form 4868 can also be used by 1099 contractors, single member LLCs and Schedule C Sole Proprietors.

Although Form 4868 gives you an extra 6 months to file your paperwork, it does not extend the time for payment of taxes owed.

Form 4868 can be sent electronically to the IRS through an approved eFile provider. One such Form 4868 eFile provider is FileLater.

Form 4868 FAQs

Does Form 4868 give me more time to pay my taxes?
No. If you owe money at the deadline, you are still responsible for paying it. Failure to make a payment will result in interest owed and could also be subject to payment penalties.

Do I need to know exactly what I owe to the IRS when I file Form 4868?
No. The IRS only asks that you estimate how much you owe.

Does Form 4868 also extend time to file taxes for my business?
It depends on what type of business you own. If you are a single member LLC, a contractor, or a Schedule C Sole Proprietor, then IRS Form 4868 will extend your tax deadline.

If you have a multi-member LLC or a corporation, then you need to e-file Form 7004 to extend your tax deadline. View More FAQs