Glossary

Form 4868

Form 4868 is the application for an automatic six-month extension of time to file an individual income tax return, moving the deadline from April 15 to October 15.

How it works

Form 4868 gives an automatic six-month extension to file an individual return, moving the deadline from April 15 to October 15. It does not extend the payment deadline: tax owed is still due April 15, and interest and the failure-to-pay penalty run from that date. FBAR filers receive an automatic extension to October 15 without a request.

Why it matters

An extension is the right move when crypto records or K-1s are incomplete, but an estimated payment should go with it.

Related: failure-to-pay penalty. Read more: how to file a tax extension.

Guides that cover form 4868

Related terms

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Where this comes up in our work

Tax return preparation

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Definitions are general information, not legal advice, and may not reflect the most recent changes in law.

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