To file an extension for your federal taxes, you need to submit IRS Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, by the original tax filing deadline (usually April 15). This extension gives you until October 15 to file your tax return without penalties for late filing, but it does not extend the time to pay any taxes owed

. Here are the main ways to file for a tax extension:

• File Form 4868 electronically using IRS Free File (available to all income levels) or through tax software that supports extension filing. You will receive an electronic acknowledgment when the IRS accepts your extension request

• Make a payment online using IRS Direct Pay, debit/credit card, or digital wallet, and indicate that the payment is for an extension. This method does not require submitting Form 4868 separately

• Mail a paper Form 4868 to the IRS postmarked by the tax deadline. Be sure to keep proof of mailing

Important points to remember:

• The extension only gives you more time to file your return, not to pay taxes. You should estimate and pay any tax owed by the original deadline to avoid penalties and interest

• If you live outside the U.S. on the tax deadline, you may automatically get a two-month extension to file without submitting Form 4868

• Some military personnel and taxpayers in disaster areas may qualify for additional automatic extensions

• Generally, you can only request one extension per tax return

To summarize, filing a tax extension involves submitting IRS Form 4868 electronically or by mail, or making an online payment with an extension indication, all by the original tax deadline. This grants you an additional six months to file your tax return but does not extend the time to pay any taxes owed