If you didn’t quite e-file your tax return by the April tax filing deadline, filing a tax extension request was a smart move. When you file Form 4868 (Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) to request an extension, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) gives you an automatic six-month extension of time to file your federal tax return.
But once that extension is filed, many taxpayers are unsure of what comes next. Questions pop up, like: How do you check your IRS extension status? What if you still owe taxes? And what happens if your extension is denied?
Here’s what to know and how to file taxes after an extension.
Step 1: Confirm your IRS extension status
After filing Form 4868, it’s a good idea to check your tax extension status to make sure the IRS accepted it. The IRS accepts most extension requests automatically, but it never hurts to verify!
How to check IRS extension status
- If you e-filed your extension (perhaps using tax software like TaxAct®), you should receive an electronic confirmation showing your extension was accepted.
- If you mailed the extension form, acceptance isn’t always clearly communicated. But as long as your valid extension request was postmarked or received by the IRS by the original filing due date (typically April 15), it’s generally considered on time.
If you’re unsure, try logging into your IRS account to confirm your IRS extension status.
What if your extension is denied?
An extension denied situation is rare, but it can happen. Typically, a rejected extension is the result of incorrect information or late filing.
Reasons an extension request may be denied include:
- Incorrect or missing personal information (like your Social Security number)
- A mismatch between your name and IRS records
- Extension requests that were submitted after the filing deadline (typically April 15, or the next business day if the 15th falls on a weekend/holiday)
- Duplicate requests
If your extension is denied, you have a five-day grace period to fix and resubmit your rejected Form 4868. If you don’t resubmit your extension request and fail to file on time, you may be charged late filing penalties, plus interest on any unpaid tax.
Step 2: Review your tax payment and estimates
After filing a tax extension, it’s a good idea to double-check your tax payment and estimated tax details. Ideally, you should have submitted an estimated tax payment when you filed Form 4868. But mistakes can happen, and verifying this now could potentially help reduce interest and penalties on any unpaid (or underpaid) tax.
Confirm your estimated tax amount
When you filed your extension request, you likely used an estimated tax amount to pay taxes based on the information you had at the time. If you filed with TaxAct, you might have used our tax preparation software to help you calculate that estimate. We do this by guiding you through your expected adjusted gross income, taxable income, tax deductions, taxes, and possible credits for the tax year.
But if your income tax information has changed (maybe you’ve since received additional unexpected tax documents), take another look at your estimate. If it turns out you underestimated your tax liability, making an additional payment sooner can help limit interest accruing on your balance due.
Understand how penalties and interest work
Remember that a tax extension gives you extra time to file, but not extra time to pay your tax bill. Interest begins accruing on any balance due starting the day after the original April tax deadline. A late payment penalty may also apply if taxes weren’t paid on time, even if your extension was approved.
Explore payment options if needed
If you’re unable to pay your full tax bill, the IRS offers options like an installment agreement or payment plan to help manage your tax due. Setting this up early can make the rest of the filing process less stressful.
Step 3: Keep your tax documents organized
Staying organized now will make it much easier to finish filing later. Some tips:
- Use our tax preparation checklist to help you stay organized.
- Group IRS forms and other tax documents by income, tax deductions, and credits (like the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit, if applicable).
- Make notes explaining how you calculated certain amounts. That way, if the IRS ever questions anything on your return, your notes can help explain where you got your information.
- Clearly mark documents you’ve already entered on your return.
Keeping good records and staying organized is especially helpful if you’re self-employed, filing business tax forms, or planning to work with a tax professional later. A little preparation now will save you from having to start all over when you get back to working on your return.
Step 4: Complete your tax return ASAP
Even with extra time to file, it’s usually best to submit your return as soon as possible. Some tips:
- Try to continue working through your individual income tax return (Form 1040) while details are still fresh in your mind.
- If you’re missing tax documents or waiting on tax information, use estimates where needed. If you are using TaxAct, you can click Mark as Estimate to flag any information you need to double-check before officially submitting your return.
- If you discover something important after filing (like an overlooked deduction or tax credit), you can always file an amended return.
E-filing with us makes this part easy — TaxAct saves your progress automatically, so you can jump back into your tax return right where you left off.
FAQs: How to file taxes after extension
The bottom line
Now that you know what to do after an extension, the key is to stay proactive. Double-check your IRS extension status, keep working on your tax return, estimate and pay any taxes due if your situation changes, and don’t wait until the last minute to file.
Whether you’re filing a basic federal tax return or managing more complex tax situations, TaxAct’s software helps you file federal and state taxes confidently, even after an extension. Let us help you wrap up your tax year with confidence, so you can rest easy knowing your taxes are already filed and paid for.
This article is for informational purposes only and not legal or financial advice.
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