The last day to file your taxes in order to avoid penalties and interest charges is April 15, 2025. This is also the last day you have to apply for a tax-filing extension. That would give you until Oct. 15, 2025, to file your taxes.
But it’s very important to know that you need to pay any taxes owed or a good estimate by April 15 to avoid penalties and interest. The tax extension only applies to filing your taxes. But you can also apply for an installment plan that would allow you to make smaller payments over time.
How to Apply for a Tax-Filing Extension
There are a few ways you can get an extension on your tax-filing deadline,
according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The easiest way to do it is to use the IRS Free File to electronically request an automatic tax-filing extension. There are no income limits for tax-filing extensions.
You could also pay taxes owed through an online payment option and check the box notifying the IRS that you are paying as part of filing for an extension.
Finally, you can apply by mail by filling out File Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. You must estimate how much tax you owe for the year on the extension form.
What If You Were Impacted by a Natural Disaster?
If you were impacted by a FEMA-designated natural disaster, you may get an automatic extension to file and pay your federal taxes. Here’s how it breaks down by state:
May 1, 2025: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, certain counties in Alaska, New Mexico, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Oct. 15, 2025: Los Angeles County, California.
But keep in mind that these dates may not apply to filing your state taxes. In that case, the April 15 tax day deadline still applies. To confirm, check with your state’s department of revenue.
And the IRS states that if you live outside the country, you may get an automatic two-month extension if you’re a U.S. citizen or resident alien living outside the country on the regular due date for your tax return.
How to File Your Taxes for Free
If you’re concerned about filing your taxes because of financial concerns, there are a few options that allow you to file your federal taxes for free.
If you made less than $84,000 in 2024, you generally qualify for Free File. This program is offered through a partnership between the IRS and tax-software companies like TaxSlayer and TaxAct. If you qualify, you can file your federal taxes for free. You can use this IRS tool to see what services you qualify for through Free File. You’d need to provide information about your filing status, income, residence, and certain tax credits you may qualify for.
Not all states allow you to Free File your state taxes. However, some states run their own similar programs.
If you made $200,000 or less in 2024, you are eligible for Direct File. The cap is $168,600 if you had more than one employer. And married couples filing jointly are eligible if their combined wages are less than $250,000.
Direct File is different from Free File and is designed for the simplest tax returns. To qualify, you also need to take the standard deduction instead of itemizing deductions. And you can only claim the following tax credits if you are using Direct File:
- Child Tax Credit
- Credit for Other Dependents
- Child and Dependent Care Credit
- Earned Income Tax Credit
- Premium Tax Credit
- Saver’s Credit (Retirement Savings Contributions Credit)
- Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled
You may also qualify for free in-person help through programs like IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE), and AARP Foundation Tax-Aide. You generally qualify for these programs if you meet one of the following criteria:
- Generally make $67,000 or less
- Have a disability
- Are 60 years or older
- Speak limited English or speak it as a second language
The Bottom Line
Tax day is April 15, 2025. This is the last day you have to file your taxes before penalties start kicking in. But it’s also the last day you have to apply for a tax-filing extension. This would bump your tax filing date to Oct. 15, 2025. Also, unfortunately, you must pay any taxes owed by April 15, 2025. If you were affected by a natural disaster, you may qualify for automatic extensions.
If paying for tax-filing services is worrying you, you may be one of the millions of Americans who qualify to electronically file their taxes for free. In any case, you should file your taxes as soon as possible. This would allow you to receive a refund sooner if you are owed one.
The Epoch Times copyright © 2025. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. The Epoch Times does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. The Epoch Times holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.
