If you're expecting a refund, you have until October 15, 2012 to resubmit your 2011 return electronically. Should you miss that date, you have until April 15, 2015 (October 15, 2015 if you filed an extension) to file a paper return and claim your 2011 refund.
With a tax refund, there's no need to worry about late filing penalties, but the sooner you file, the sooner you'll get your money.
Now, if you owe taxes but you didn't file an extension, you have until April 21, 2012 to resubmit your rejected return and avoid the late filing penalty.
Should you miss the April 21 deadline, or you decide not to e-file, the IRS allows you ten days after your most recent on-time e-file attempt to file a conventional paper return and avoid the late filing penalty. If you go this route, click here and we'll show you how to obtain proof that you tried to file your tax return on time.
But even if you miss the ten-day paper filing grace period, try to file your return as soon as you are able, to minimize penalties and interest. The late filing penalty is 5% of your owed taxes for every month (or fraction thereof) that your return is late, up to a maximum of 25%.
Important: To avoid a possible failure-to-pay penalty, any additional taxes you owe must be paid by April 17, 2012, regardless of whether or not you filed an extension. The failure-to-pay penalty is 0.5% (1/2 of 1 percent) of your owed taxes for every month (or fraction thereof) that the owed tax amount remains unpaid, up to a maximum of 25%.