Can You Get an Additional Tax Return Extension?

It goes something like this: Tax season was fast approaching and you just knew you weren’t going to make the deadline to file your return on April 15, so you requested a tax extension. Now October 15 is fast approaching and, guess what, you just know you’re not going to make that deadline either. What options do you have? Can you request a second tax return extension? Will the IRS grant you another grace period?

The short answer is no, you don’t really get another extension, but that doesn’t mean everything is lost. There’s still a chance for you to do effective damage control with the IRS, and you definitely need to do that if you missed two deadlines! This guide will give you some historical context for tax extensions so you know why things are the way they are, and what you can do if you need even more time to file your tax return.

Does The IRS Grant Additional Tax Extensions?

Let’s start at the bottom: No, the IRS does not grant additional extensions to individual taxpayers beyond the one-time six-month extension, moving the deadline to file your tax return from April 15 to October 15. There are special circumstances that might earn you one (which we’ll discuss further down in this article), but the general answer is still no.

Still, a six-month tax extension is still a powerful tool–if you know how to take advantage of it. Six months sounds like a lot, and it is, but it can also slip away quickly if you don’t know how to properly use it. First of all, you have to remember that if you’re getting an extension to file, you’re not getting an extension to pay. Payment is still due April 15, and interest starts accruing on any unpaid taxes right from the get go.

A failure to file a penalty is not something that’s going to disappear if you ignore it for long enough. The IRS doesn’t operate like that. Instead, what you should do if you miss both deadlines is to file as soon as possible. It’s important that you file even if you know you don’t have enough money to pay because dealing with both a failure to file penalty and a failure to pay penalty is not going to be pretty. So, file away, and check in with the IRS to let them know you need to set up a payment plan.

Tax Extensions For Individual Taxpayers

Up until tax year 2005, a taxpayer could file IRS Tax Form 4868 (Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) and obtain a four-month automatic tax extension. An additional two-month tax extension could be obtained by completing Tax Form 2688.

However, effective beginning with tax year 2005, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) modified Tax Form 4868 to allow for an automatic six-month extension of the original April 15 filing deadline.

RELATED: Income Tax Extensions Explained

With a tax extension, income tax returns are due on or before October 15 of the same year. This year, getting an extension means your due date to file will change from April 15, 2015 to Oct. 15, 2015.

Once you successfully request a tax extension, remember that you must file your tax return by the new extended deadline. If you miss the October 15 due date, you will be subject to IRS late fees, penalties, and interest. It is also important to note that you will not be allowed to request any further extensions.

Exceptions And Special Circumstances For Additional Tax Extensions

The IRS does not grant second or additional tax extensions, with the exception of the following special instances:

Members of the U.S. Military — Members of the Armed Forces serving in a combat zone or contingency operation are eligible for additional tax extensions of up to six months. The tax extension begins once their deployment ends.  Refer to IRS Publication 3 (Armed Forces’ Tax Guide) for information about requesting extensions and filing returns.

Taxpayers Living Outside the U.S. — Taxpayers who are U.S. Citizens or residents living outside the United States (and Puerto Rico) may qualify for a second tax extension if they meet certain requirements. The taxpayer falling into this classification must send a letter by the first tax extension deadline (Oct. 15) to request an additional two-month tax extension for filing their federal income tax return. For more information, see IRS Publication 54 (Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad).

RELATED: Tips for Filing a Late Tax Return

Tax Extension Forms

Additional types of tax extensions can be requested using the following tax forms, all which are available on the IRS website:

• Tax Form 7004 (Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File Certain Business Income Tax, Information, and Other Returns) is used to request a five- or six-month extension for a business tax return.
• Tax Form 1138 (Extension of Time for Payment of Taxes by a Corporation Expecting a Net Operating Loss Carryback)
• Tax Form 2350 (Application for Extension of Time to File U. S. Income Tax Return) is designed for U.S. citizens and resident aliens abroad who expect to qualify for special tax treatment.
• Tax Form 4768 (Application for Extension of Time to File a Return and/or Pay U. S. Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Taxes)
• Tax Form 5558 (Application for Extension of Time to File Certain Employee Plan Returns)
• Tax Form 8809 (Application for Extension of Time to File Information Returns — For Forms W-2, W-2G, 1042-S, 1097, 1098, 1099, 3921, 3922, 5498, and 8027)
• Tax Form 8868 (Application for Extension of Time to File an Exempt Organization Return)
• Tax Form 8892 (Application for Automation for Extension of Time to File Tax Form 709 and/or Payment of Gift/Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax)

For additional information on tax extensions and the various tax forms required, consult your tax preparer or accountant, or contact the IRS.

Common Tax Extension Mistakes To Avoid

Once you work with taxes long enough, it’s easy to identify the most common mistakes people make when it comes to tax extensions. Here are those mistakes and what you can do to avoid making them.

Missing The Extension Request Deadline

It should come as no surprise that people who have trouble filing their taxes on time once will have trouble filing them twice.

• Missing the April 15 deadline: Missing the first filing and paying deadline means you get two penalties, one for each. On the other hand, you could also get hit with only one penalty, depending on your situation; maybe you do file your taxes but you don’t pay, or vice versa.
• Missing the October 15 deadline: When you miss the October 15 deadline, that’s when things really get serious. This is where you get hit with failure to file penalties retroactive to your filing date (October 15 in this case), and also failure to pay penalties retroactive to your original due date (that’s all the way back to April 15). Like we mentioned before, it’s better for you to file as soon as you can at this point so you avoid interest on some of those penalties.

Second And Additional Tax Extensions: FAQ

1. What is a tax extension?

A tax extension allows you to file your federal tax return later than the usual April 15 deadline. Usually, six months are afforded to taxpayers who request an extension, moving the deadline all the way to October 15.

2. Is it possible to get a second extension?

Basically, no. It’s impossible to get a second extension for individual tax returns beyond the initial six-month extension unless you’re a member of the military (and engaging in active combat zones) or a taxpayer living outside the U.S. (and there are still limitations about that situation).

3. What happens if I miss the extended deadline?

Missing the October 15 deadline means facing penalties for late filing and accruing interest on unpaid taxes starting from the original April 15 deadline.

4. How can I request an extension on my taxes?

You can request a tax extension using Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, before April 15. This can be done both on paper and electronically.

5. Can I request an extension to pay my taxes?

No. A tax extension only moves the deadline on which you can file your tax return, but you still have to pay your taxes by the April 15 deadline. Currently, there is no way to extend the deadline to pay your taxes.

6. What if I cannot pay my taxes by the deadline? 

If you cannot pay your taxes on time, we highly recommend filing your return (or applying for a tax extension) to avoid penalties and setting up a payment plan with the IRS. These payment plans carry interest and some fees, but it’s preferable to accruing interest and penalties on unpaid taxes.

---