<p>&lt;p&gt;A tax extension gives you until &lt;strong&gt;October 15&lt;/strong&gt; to file your federal return instead of the standard April 15 deadline. Extensions are automatically granted β€” you do not need to explain why you need more time.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h2&gt;Critical: Extension to File, Not to Pay&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;The most important thing to understand: an extension only extends your &lt;strong&gt;filing deadline&lt;/strong&gt;, not your &lt;strong&gt;payment deadline&lt;/strong&gt;. You must still pay any taxes owed by April 15 to avoid the failure-to-pay penalty (0.5% per month) and interest.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h2&gt;How to File Form 4868&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;Estimate your tax liability for the year&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Calculate any amount owed (total tax minus withholding/payments)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Submit Form 4868 by April 15 via:&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;IRS Direct Pay&lt;/strong&gt; (irs.gov/payments) β€” mark it as extension payment&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;IRS Free File&lt;/strong&gt; β€” submit Form 4868 electronically at no cost&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tax software&lt;/strong&gt; β€” most major software handles this automatically&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mail&lt;/strong&gt; β€” send to your regional IRS center (postmarked by April 15)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;h2&gt;State Extensions&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;A federal extension does not automatically extend your state return. Check your state's rules β€” many states require a separate extension request.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;h2&gt;Who Should File an Extension?&lt;/h2&gt;&lt;p&gt;Anyone who is missing documents (K-1 from partnerships, foreign tax information, etc.), dealing with a complex tax situation, or simply needs more time to file accurately. There is no penalty for filing an extension.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Source: IRS Form 4868 Instructions; IRS.gov/extensions&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</p>