TaxAct® supports the completion of Form 4868 Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Income Tax Return for your federal return, as well as any necessary extension forms for your state, if applicable. Form 4868 must be filed by the regular due date of the return.
Please Note: Filing an extension ONLY extends the time to file your return and does not extend the time to pay any tax due. To avoid late payment penalties and interest you must estimate what tax will be due and pay that when you file the extension form.
The following steps will help you file an extension if you are using a computer. If you are completing your return on a phone, tablet, or other device with a smaller screen, please see the instructions at the end of this FAQ.
To complete a federal and/or state extension:
If you expect to receive a refund (i.e. your total 2016 payments are more than your estimated tax liability), the program will automatically enter zero (0) for your balance due on Line 6.
If you are currently outside the United States and Puerto Rico, you may qualify for an automatic 2-month extension. See Extensions Outside U.S. & Puerto Rico for more information.
If you are using a device with a smaller screen to complete your return, you can use the following steps to file an extension. If you experience difficulty filing the extension on your phone or other mobile device, we recommend logging into your account from a computer and completing the steps provided previously.
To complete a federal extension (and state extension if applicable):