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How to Get an Extension on Your Tax Return. Tax deadline sneak up on you? Filing for an
extension is easy, and you don’t even have to give a reason. You will need Form 4868
Form 1040 (or 1040A, EZ, NR or NR-EZ) Your earnings statements A post office, public
library, or tax office An application that can view PDF files and a printer. Step 1.
First off, let’s get this straight—filing for an extension means you have an extra six
months to file your paperwork, not extra time to pay your taxes. Failure to pay the taxes
you owe by April 15 will result in interest and penalties. If you live and work outside
of the U.S. and Puerto Rico, you automatically have two extra months to file your return
and pay any taxes. Step 2. Get a copy of Form 4868—the Application for Automatic Extension
of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. You can find it at most post offices,
public libraries, and tax offices. Or you can download it from www.irs.gov. To download,
open, and print the form, you’ll need a printer and an application that can view PDF
files, like Preview (on a Mac) or Adobe Reader (available at www.adobe.com). Step 3. Complete
Form 4868 according to its instructions. Step 4. Write a check to the Internal Revenue Service
for any taxes owed. Step 5. Mail Form 4868, along with any payment due, by April 15. Form
4868 can be filled out and submitted electronically at www.irs.gov. You can also pay any taxes
you owe online or by telephone. Step 6. File your tax return by October 15. There—now
was that so hard? Did you know Thirty-eight percent of the average American family’s
income goes to paying taxes.