Form 4868

More time to file a personal return

Due

April 15

Who files

Individuals and the self-employed

Source

IRS page for Form 4868 →

Facts on this page come from IRS.gov (the Form 4868 page was last updated by the IRS Mar 30, 2026); read by TaxScout Oct 22, 2026.

Who files Form 4868

A U.S. citizen or resident files Form 4868 to request an automatic extension of time to file an individual income tax return. It moves the filing deadline to October 15 but does not give more time to pay.

When it is due

April 15 for calendar-year filers.

Request the extension by the April filing due date; it gives you until October 15 to file without penalties.

What the IRS says

The extension gives you until October 15 to file without penalties. Source
The extension is only for filing; any tax owed is still due by the April filing date to avoid penalties. Source
You can also get an extension by making an electronic payment and marking it as part of an extension request, or through IRS Free File. Source

What to have ready

An estimate of your total tax for the year
The total of what you have already paid
A payment for any balance you can pay

Preparers who say they handle Form 4868

Each city page lists firms whose own website names this return. TaxScout read those sites; it does not rank firms by payment.

Charlotte, NC42 firms Raleigh, NC23 firms Durham, NC16 firms Asheville, NC11 firms Wilmington, NC9 firms Edison, NJ7 firms Winston Salem, NC7 firms Worcester, MA7 firms Huntersville, NC6 firms Mooresville, NC6 firms Framingham, MA6 firms Greensboro, NC6 firms Cary, NC6 firms Matthews, NC6 firms Clifton, NJ5 firms Parsippany, NJ5 firms Manasquan, NJ5 firms Westwood, NJ5 firms

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Common questions

Who files Form 4868?

When is Form 4868 due?

April 15 for calendar-year filers. Request the extension by the April filing due date; it gives you until October 15 to file without penalties.

Do I need a CPA for Form 4868?

Not always. A CPA, an Enrolled Agent or another paid preparer with a PTIN can prepare it. Firms listed for this form say on their own websites that they handle it; TaxScout does not rank them by payment.

Related forms

All forms →

Form 1040 · The yearly personal income tax returnApril 15

Not tax advice. TaxScout is not the IRS. Due dates and thresholds above are quoted from the IRS pages linked next to them and change from year to year; the IRS instructions for your tax year control.