You only need to file an extension if you think you will owe taxes to the IRS for 2025.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW
Filing an extension gives you more time to file, not more time to pay.
Your payment is still due by Tax Day - April 15, 2026. To avoid penalties, you should pay at least 90% of what you owe.
If you’re getting a refund: You can file after Tax Day with no penalty—no extension needed.
If you expect to owe: You should file an extension and make a payment by Tax Day to avoid penalties.
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HOW TO FILE AN EXTENSION (USING TaxSlayer through the FileMyself option)
Go to the FileMyself tool and sign in (or create a TaxSlayer account).
From the main menu:
Select Federal,
Click Miscellaneous Forms, and then
Select Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File and click Begin.
2. What to enter:
Tax liability: Your estimated total tax owed
Payments: What you’ve already paid (like withholding from your paycheck)
Amount paid with extension: What you’re paying now
You can use an online calculator (click here) to estimate how much you owe before filling this out.
3. Final step
Click Submit to file your extension
Make sure your payment is included or submitted separately by Tax Day
HOW TO MAKE A PAYMENT DIRECTLY ON IRS.GOV
Go to your IRS account here. Create an account if you don't already have one.
Make a payment, list Extension as the reason.
See more information on extensions here.