Saving & Spending Taxes

You May Need to File a Tax Extension Immediately if You Find Yourself in One of These 7 Situations

Do you need more time to get your tax return in order?

woman working on laptop and doing taxes
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Tax time comes for everyone. There’s no escaping it. And there are terrible consequences if you don’t file a return at all.

But if you aren’t ready to file, the federal government has a simple solution: Ask for an extension by filling out Form 4868, and you’ll automatically get an extra six months. 

Ignore any potential stigmas associated with asking for more time. There’s a reason the IRS offers this option. Here are seven signs you need to file a tax extension.

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources

Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.

How to become a member today:

  • Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
  • Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
  • Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.

Become an AARP member now

You’re out of time

Egor/Adobe sand running through the bulbs of an hourglass

Running out of time might be a basic reason to ask for an extension, but it’s a no less valid one. The reasons don’t really matter — the IRS certainly doesn’t care — but it’s true that the first stretch of any new year tends to be the busiest for most people.

If you have run out of time, you’ve run out of time. It’s as simple as that. Better to get an extension than face penalties for late filing.

You’re a first-time filer

bnenin/Adobe young woman studying on laptop at her apartment

Tackling a tax return for the first time can quickly give way to being confused and overwhelmed. Even worse, you could find yourself making errors. 

If you’re a first-time filer, it might be a good idea to give yourself some extra time to ensure you get everything right. And make sure you use the best tax software out there when you do.

You don’t have all of the right information

orelphoto/Adobe USA tax form 1040 for US individual tax return

Making sure you have all your tax paperwork together is key to getting your return right, regardless of whether you pay a professional or do it yourself.

Sometimes, it’s a case of misplacing files, and you need a duplicate. Sometimes it’s a matter of waiting for items like interest statements or Schedule K-1 forms. 

Whatever the cause, asking for an extension is better than filing an incomplete return and then filing an amended return down the line. It can also save you some money since you’ll only file once.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1

How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.

Try it

You’ve had a major life event

Anatta_Tan/Adobe father kissing hand of newborn son

A lot of events can happen that will dramatically change how your life looks. It could be a death or illness.

Of course, welcoming a new baby into your home is wonderful, but it will severely impact your daily life. 

Maybe you made you decided to retire early or bought a new house. If you find yourself lacking the mental bandwidth to deal with the regular tax deadline, ask for an extension.

You’re on military deployment

Ingus Evertovskis/Adobe Military men

Members of the armed forces on active duty can’t predict when or where Uncle Sam will send them.

If you’ve been deployed, it’s common to get an extension — particularly if you’re in a combat zone, for which the IRS actually provides certain tax benefits. 

If your post is outside the U.S. and Puerto Rico, you qualify for an automatic two-month extension.

You won’t be home on deadline day

Yevhenii/Adobe  young woman using laptop in cafe on tropical beach

The ubiquity of the internet is wonderful in a lot of ways. One such way is that, in theory, you can do anything online from anywhere. But there are a few caveats, of course, especially if you’re e-filing your taxes.

For starters, it isn’t always easy to maintain a stable internet connection outside your home. That goes double if you’re on the road or overseas. Another problem might simply be forgetting to pack some key pieces of information that you need to file.

If you know you won’t be home for the tax deadline, it’s safer to request an extension and handle all the paperwork when it’s in one place.

Your tax preparer is busy

Jirapong/Adobe customer is signing the contract document

If you’re busy during tax time, you can bet your bottom dollar that tax professionals are too.

Unless you’ve gathered all of your information well in advance — which itself can be complicated if you freelance or are self-employed and your return has a lot of moving parts — and have an appointment with the accountant, you’re facing a looming deadline. Don’t rush your return. That’s how mistakes happen.

Bottom line

Kimberly Reinick/Adobe calculator and lots of twenty dollar bills on application form at table

If you don’t have your taxes in order by the IRS deadline, the government will grant you an extension, no questions asked. This is a much better solution than turning in a return with missing or erroneous information, which can create its own headaches.

The tax filing deadline for 2024 is Monday, April 15. The IRS has instructions for filing an extension online. Keep in mind that you still have to pay the taxes you owe by the filing deadline. If you don’t, you’re entering a world of severe penalties.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details


Author Details

Will Vitka

Will Vitka is a D.C. area reporter and writer. He previously worked for WTOP, The New York Post, Stuff Magazine, and CBS News.