Irs form extension to file tax return

Use this form to request an extension of time to file forms:

  • W-2, W-2G,
  • 1042-S,
  • 1094-C, 1095,
  • 1097, 1098, 1099,
  • 3921, 3922,
  • 5498, and
  • 8027.

Current Revision

Form 8809PDF


Recent Developments

None at this time.


Other Items You May Find Useful

All Form 8809 Revisions

FIRE Production System — You can file Form 8809 online by completing a fill-in Form 8809 through the FIRE system for an automatic 30-day extension (not available for Form W-2). Acknowledgements are automatically displayed online if the request is made by the due date of the return.

Publication 1187, Specifications for Electronic Filing of Form 1042-S, Foreign Person’s U.S. Source Income Subject to WithholdingPDF

Publication 1220, Specifications for Electronic Filing of Forms 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, 5498, 8935, and W-2GPDF

Other Current Products

About Form 1042-S, Foreign Person's U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding

About Form 1094-C, Transmittal of Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage Information Returns

About Form 1095-B, Health Coverage

About Form 1095-C, Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage

About Form 1098, Mortgage Interest Statement

About General Instructions for Certain Information Returns

About Form 3921, Exercise of an Incentive Stock Option Under Section 422(b)

About Form 3922, Transfer of Stock Acquired Through An Employee Stock Purchase Plan Under Section 423(c)

You may request up to an additional 6 months to file your U.S. individual income tax return. There are three ways to request an automatic extension of time to file your return. You must request the extension of time to file by the regular due date of your return to avoid the penalty for filing late. An extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay. You may file your extension in any one of three ways listed below:

  1. Pay all or part of your estimated income tax due and indicate that the payment is for an extension using IRS Direct Pay, EFTPS: The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, a debit or credit card. You'll receive a confirmation number for your records.
  2. E-file Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return using your personal computer or through a tax professional who uses e-file.
  3. File a paper Form 4868. Note: Fiscal year taxpayers may file extensions only by filing a paper Form 4868.

If you file the Form 4868 electronically, be sure to have a copy of your prior year's return; you'll be asked to provide your prior year's adjusted gross income (AGI) amount for verification purposes. Once you file, you'll receive an electronic acknowledgement that the IRS has accepted your filing. Keep this for your records. You should refer to your tax software or tax professional for ways to file and pay electronically using e-file services. Several companies offer free filing of Form 4868 through the Free File program.

Out of the Country – You're allowed two extra months (generally until June 15) to file your return and pay any tax due without requesting an extension if you're a U.S. citizen or resident alien, and on the regular due date of your return you're either:

  1. Living outside of the United States and Puerto Rico, and your main place of business or post of duty is outside of the United States and Puerto Rico, or
  2. In military or naval service on duty outside of the United States and Puerto Rico.

For additional information, refer to Publication 54, Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad. If you use this automatic 2-month extension, you must attach a statement to your return explaining which of the two situations qualify you for the extension. You'll still have to pay interest on any tax not paid by the regular due date of your return. You can also receive an additional 4-month extension of time to file (or, a total of six months) if you file Form 4868 and check the box on line 8 to indicate that you need an additional 4 months to file your return. The additional 4-month period is not an extension of time to pay.

Use Form 7004 to request an automatic 6-month extension of time to file certain business income tax, information, and other returns.

Information on e-filing Form 7004.


Current Revision

Form 7004PDF

Instructions for Form 7004  (Print Version)PDF


Recent Developments

Taxpayer Relief for Certain Tax-Related Deadlines Due To Coronavirus Pandemic -- 14-APR-2020


Other Items You May Find Useful

All Revisions for Form 7004

About Publication 538, Accounting Periods and Methods

About Publication 542, Corporations

Other Current Products

About Form 706-GS (D), Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Return for Distributions

About Form 706-GS (T), Generation Skipping Transfer Tax Return for Terminations

About Form 1041, U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts

About Form 1041-N, U.S. Income Tax Return for Electing Alaska Native Settlement Trusts

About Form 1041-QFT, U.S. Income Tax Return for Qualified Funeral Trusts

About Form 1042, Annual Withholding Tax Return for U.S. Source Income of Foreign Persons

About Form 1065, U.S. Return of Partnership Income

About Form 1065-B, U.S. Return of Income for Electing Large Partnerships

What is the difference between Form 4868 and Form 2350?

Form 4868 is used to apply for a standard extension to October 15. Form 2350, on the other hand, is intended to help new expatriates qualify for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.

How do I file a short term extension with the IRS?

E-file Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return using your personal computer or through a tax professional who uses e-file. File a paper Form 4868. Note: Fiscal year taxpayers may file extensions only by filing a paper Form 4868.

What is a form 2350?

Purpose of Form. Use Form 2350 to ask for an extension of time to file your tax return only if you expect to file Form 2555 and you need the time to meet either the bona fide residence test or the physical presence test to qualify for the foreign earned income exclusion and/or the foreign housing exclusion or deduction ...