IRS Form 4868: Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
Form 4868 gives individuals more time to file their federal income tax return. It extends the time to file, not the time to pay. Any tax you expect to owe is still due by the regular due date, and the IRS page lists the current dates and ways to request it.
What this form is for
It requests an automatic extension of the filing deadline for Form 1040 and related returns.
When people usually use it
People file it when records are late or a life event makes the regular due date hard to meet. Making a payment and marking it as an extension can also count, as the IRS page explains.
What to have ready
- An estimate of your total tax for the year
- Payments and withholding so far
- Your Social Security number and address
Notices that mention it
- IRS Notice CP59: No record of your tax return
Related forms
- Form 1040: U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
- Form 1040-ES: Estimated Tax for Individuals
- Form 2210: Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Individuals, Estates and Trusts
Read the IRS page
IRS.gov page for Form 4868 (opens in a new tab). The IRS page is the final word on this form.
Frequently asked questions
What is IRS Form 4868?
Form 4868 gives individuals more time to file their federal income tax return. It extends the time to file, not the time to pay. Any tax you expect to owe is still due by the regular due date, and the IRS page lists the current dates and ways to request it.
Where do I get Form 4868?
Get it from IRS.gov. The IRS page for Form 4868, https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-4868, has the latest revision, the instructions and any recent changes.
Do I need to file Form 4868?
That depends on your own facts. The instructions on IRS.gov explain who uses Form 4868, and any IRS letter you got may say what it needs from you. This is not tax advice.
What should I have ready for Form 4868?
Gather: an estimate of your total tax for the year; payments and withholding so far; your social security number and address. The instructions on IRS.gov list everything the form asks for.
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