If you are unable to file your tax on time then you can request for automatic extension of tax return of Form 4868
. You can take this form from the IRS website. Until recently, the IRS extension used to exists for only four months, but now it extends to a good six months. A taxpayer needs to state the reason why they need additional two months to pay taxes.
Taxpayers who want to avail tax extension must file this form by regular date of filing the tax returns. Taxpayers may chose to file taxes physically or they can do it online by using a popular tax preparation software or website. Taxpayers can send the Form 4868, but they cannot e-file the form.
For mailing Form 4868, it is recommended that you use a certified mail and request for a return receipt. Taxpayer need not sign the Form 4868 or send any kind of payment along with it. However, he or she has to make a bona fide estimate of taxpayers liability for the year passed and have to show any such payments already made. If the taxpayers fail to make a bona fide estimate then there are high chances of your form application getting rejected.
Taxpayer need to send payment along with the extension request. If he is e-filing the request then he can send the payment by credit card or electronic fund transfer. A tax extension allows a taxpayer more time to decide how to utilize his funds for payment of taxes.