Form 4868 (2024): Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
What Form 4868 Does for Calendar-Year Filers
Form 4868 grants calendar-year taxpayers a 6-month automatic extension to file Form 1040, 1040-SR, 1040-NR, or 1040-SS by October 15, 2025. The 2024 version includes updated payment method options such as digital wallets (Click to Pay, PayPal, and Venmo) and clarifies that electronic payment alone satisfies the extension requirement without filing Form 4868 itself.
How Out-of-Country Taxpayers Qualify for Extensions
Taxpayers who are out of the country receive an automatic 2-month extension to June 16, 2025, without filing Form 4868. Out-of-country status applies if you live outside the United States and Puerto Rico with your main place of work outside these areas, or if you serve in military or naval service on duty outside the United States and Puerto Rico.
This automatic extension remains available even if you are physically present in the United States or Puerto Rico on April 15, 2025. Taxpayers who need more time beyond June 16, 2025, must file Form 4868 and check the box on Line 8 to receive an additional 4 months. Filing Form 4868 extends your deadline to October 15, 2025, providing a total of 6 months from the original April 15 deadline.
Steps for Completing Form 4868
Step 1: Estimate Your Total Tax Liability
Enter your expected total tax liability from Form 1040/1040-SR line 24, Form 1040-NR line 24, or Form 1040-SS Part I line 7 on Line 4. The IRS may void your extension if you provide an unreasonable estimate, so calculate this amount as accurately as possible using all available information.
Step 2: Report Your Expected Payments
Enter all 2024 tax payments you expect to report on Line 5. Include amounts from Form 1040/1040-SR/1040-NR line 33 (excluding Schedule 3, line 10) or Form 1040-SS Part I line 12 (excluding Part I, line 11b). Do not include the payment you are making with Form 4868 itself on this line.
Step 3: Calculate Your Balance Due
Subtract Line 5 from Line 4 and enter the result on Line 6. Enter zero if Line 5 exceeds Line 4.
Step 4: Determine Your Payment Amount
• Enter the amount you will pay with Form 4868 on Line 7 if you choose to make a payment.
• Payment remains optional to obtain the extension for 2024.
• Any unpaid balance will accrue interest from April 15, 2025, regardless of your extension status.
Step 5: Indicate Special Filing Status
Check the box on Line 8 if you are out of the country and need the additional 4-month extension beyond the automatic 2-month extension. Line 9 requires a checkmark if you are filing Form 1040-NR, did not receive wages subject to U.S. income tax withholding, and your return is due June 16, 2025.
Payment Methods Available for 2024
You can choose from three payment options when filing Form 4868. Electronic payment methods include Direct Pay, EFTPS, digital wallets (Click to Pay, PayPal, and Venmo), debit or credit cards, or phone payments. Checks or money orders made payable to the United States Treasury provide an alternative payment method. Making an electronic payment designated for extension automatically processes your extension without requiring you to file Form 4868 separately.
Reporting Extension Payments on Your 2024 Return
When you file your 2024 tax return, enter any Form 4868 payment on Form 1040/1040-SR/1040-NR Schedule 3, line 10, or Form 1040-SS Part I, line 11b. Joint filers who initially filed separate Forms 4868 should allocate the combined payment between their separate returns as agreed.
Understanding Penalties and Interest for 2024
Late Payment Penalty Structure
The late payment penalty equals ½ of 1% of the unpaid tax per month or part of a month, with a maximum penalty of 25%. This penalty accrues from April 15, 2025, on any balance you do not pay by the regular due date, regardless of whether you receive an extension.
Qualifying for Reasonable Cause Relief
You can avoid the late payment penalty if you meet two requirements. First, you must pay at least 90% of your total 2024 tax by April 15, 2025, through withholding, estimated payments, or Form 4868 payment. Second, you must pay the remaining balance when you file your return.
Important Payment Limitations
The IRS cannot accept a single check for $100 million or more for 2024 Form 4868 payments. You must split amounts of $100 million or more across two or more checks, with each check written for less than $100 million. This limitation applies only to check payments and does not restrict electronic payment methods.
Filing Requirements for Fiscal Year Taxpayers
Fiscal year taxpayers who use a non-calendar tax year must file Form 4868 by the original due date of their fiscal year return, not April 15, 2025. These taxpayers should enter the beginning and ending months of their fiscal year in the space provided at the top of Form 4868.
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This checklist is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Always review official IRS instructions and consult a qualified professional for guidance.
