Form 4868 serves as a request for an automatic extension of time to file a U.S. individual income tax return. It applies to various forms, including the 1040, 1040-SR, 1040-NR, and 1040-SS.

Form 4868 is the "Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return." This form extends your filing deadline to Oct. 15, 2025.

To file a tax extension, the official process includes submitting IRS Form 4868 along with any estimated taxes owed.

If even that sounds intimidating, you can skip Form 4868 and simply pay your estimated tax through an electronic IRS service (see below).

Key Takeaways Form 4868 gives taxpayers a six-month extension to file federal income tax returns. An extension for federal income tax returns due on April 15 delays the submission until Oct. 15.

The federal tax deadline is nearing, but there’s still time to file for an extension if you’re running behind. The IRS is giving taxpayers until April 18 to request extensions, which allow you ...