Using TurboTax Easy Extension for Your Personal Taxes
Note: TurboTax Easy Extension site closed for the season on Sunday, April 22, 2012 because the IRS no longer accepts efiled extension forms. If you received a rejection after efiling your extension, you must now print and mail your Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return and any tax payment due to the IRS.
Important: Tax extensions are an extension of time to file but not an extension of time to pay. If you do not pay your taxes due by the regular due date, you will owe interest and possibly penalties. There is a new IRS option for certain filers who need help paying their 2011 taxes.
If you have a balance due on your return, your payment is due April 17, 2012. The IRS allows up to six months after the filing deadline to file an income tax return. However, there are no extensions granted for tax payments. If you do not make a tax payment by the due date, the IRS charges interest and can assess penalties for all late tax payments.
TurboTax Easy Extension will allow you to electronically file your Federal Extension and pay taxes due with your checking or savings account.
To file a tax extension using TurboTax Easy Extension...
- on the Web, click here.
- on your mobile device, click here.
- while logged into TurboTax Online, continue reading...
If you are not logged in to TurboTax Online and have an existing TurboTax account, log in to TurboTax Online.
- If you are already logged in to TurboTax Online:
- Select Federal Taxes tab > Other Tax Situations.
- Scroll down to the Other Tax Forms section.
- Click the Start button for File an Extension.
- Select Yes for "Do you want to apply for an Extension," then follow the on-screen instructions.
- If you do not have an existing TurboTax account and are not logged in to TurboTax Online, click here to start.
- Indicate whether you have an existing TurboTax account or you're a new customer.
- If you are a new customer, read and agree to the terms of the license agreement.
- Click Continue and follow the easy on-screen instructions.
- After you file your federal extension, you will see a confirmation page. If you want to file a state extension, click the Start State Extension Now button under Next Steps to select form(s) to file by mail. If you only need to file a state extension and don't need to file a federal extension, go directly to your state agency website to download your state extension form.
Note: Guidelines for filing extensions for state income tax returns vary from state to state. When you file a federal extension form, it does not automatically extend the time that you have to file your state income tax return. Make sure that you check your state's requirements for filing extensions. If you wish to file a state extension, you must do it separately for each state you need.What happens if my extension is rejected by the IRS?
You will have five (5) days after the initial submission to fix the error and resubmit the extension. If you file your extension on April 17 and get a rejection, you have until April 22 to fix the issue and submit the extension again.
If I file an extension, do I still have to pay taxes owed by April 17?
Yes. Filing an extension doesn't extend the time for your payment of any taxes owed. Any payment due is required by the original due date of the return for which the extension is filed (April 17, 2012 for most people). To avoid underpayment penalties, you should pay at least 90% of your estimated tax due by April 17. If payment is not made, interest and additional penalties may apply. There is a new IRS option for certain filers who need help paying their 2011 taxes. Refer to the topic IRS Options for Certain Filers Who Need Help Paying 2011.
Whose names do I put on the extension form?
If you plan to file a joint tax return this year, put your name and your spouse's name on the same extension form. Do not put a dependent on this extension. Dependents who need to file their own return, should fill out a separate extension for themselves.
What if my name changed last year?
If you changed your name after you filed your last return, due to marriage, divorce, etc., you must report this to the Social Security Administration prior to filing your extension to prevent delays in processing your extension. For more information, visit the IRS page on Marriage, Divorce and Name Changes.
If I got married last year, how many extensions do we file?
If you plan to file a joint return, file one extension to include you and your spouse.
Which address do I use for my extension form?
Normally you would enter your permanent mailing address, but you can enter any address to receive correspondence regarding this extension. Important: If you enter an address that is different from last year's return, it does not update your record with the IRS.
What if I live on a military base outside the U.S.?
Military personnel located outside the U.S. and Puerto Rico receive an automatic two (2) month extension to June 15, 2012, with no form required. If you need additional time to file past that date, please revisit us after April 17, 2012 to file for an additional four (4) month extension.
What if I have a foreign address?
To file a federal extension, you need to complete IRS Form 4868 and file by mail.
If you requested a filing extension through TurboTax Easy Extension, you'll receive an email acknowledgment. You can also log in to your TurboTax Easy Extension account and check your status online, anytime. If you filed an extension for your state income tax return, please refer to the instructions for filing extensions for your state.
New Filing Deadline
You'll have six (6) months from the tax filing deadline of April 17, 2012 to complete and file your federal income tax return. You can still use your TurboTax desktop product or TurboTax Online to finish your tax return during this extension period.
When you file for an extension (Form 4868), you have until October 15, 2012 to complete your Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ tax return. Your extension is automatic as long as it is filed in a timely manner and includes a payment of the amount of tax that you owe.
How do I pay taxes owed in my extension?
Using TurboTax Easy Extension, you can pay by personal check or direct debit. If you are paying by direct debit, follow the instructions in TurboTax Easy Extension to enter your bank account information. If you are paying by personal check, you will receive instructions by email. You can also log back in to TurboTax Easy Extension to see the instructions for mailing in your personal check.
What dates can I use for withdrawal dates?
You can use any date from the date of filing your extension to April 17, 2012. You cannot use a date past April 17, unless you are a U.S. citizen or resident with a foreign address, or overseas military, as noted above.
Can I make installment payments?
Form 4868 does not enable installment payments for the amount owed. The IRS does have a couple of ways to make installment payments, but filing your actual tax return is required. Pay what you can by April 17 and then complete your return as quickly as possible. TurboTax can help you set up installment payments with your return. For more info, read Paying Tax Through an Installment Plan.
How do I mail a check to pay my taxes?
TurboTax Easy Extension will ask you how you wish to pay the taxes you owe. At this point, select Mail a Check. Your extension will be e-filed, but you will use a printed copy of the completed Form 4868 as a payment voucher for your tax payment. Mail your payment and a copy of Form 4868 no later than April 17, 2012. The mailing address appears on your confirmation screen.
Filing Your Tax Return
Once you complete your tax return, you can either print and mail, or e-file your return on or before October 15, 2012. If you e-file your tax return and it gets rejected, you have a five (5) day grace period to correct and then re-submit the rejected e-filed federal return.
Most states use the same filing deadlines for extensions as the IRS. However, you should check your state's requirements for filing extensions to make sure.
How do I get a copy of my 4868 once I have e-filed my extension?
Log in to your TurboTax Easy Extension account or your TurboTax Online account to download a PDF version of your Form 4868.
Other TurboTax Easy Extension Features
You can also use your TurboTax Easy Extension account for any of the features we have available on the TurboTax.com website. These features include:
- Accessing our e-store
- Accessing prior-year tax returns prepared online
- Accessing a copy of your 4868, if prepared through TurboTax Easy Extension
- Accessing downloads purchased previously
- Preparing your 2011 taxes with TurboTax Online
If you already have an account on TurboTax.com, please use the same account for TurboTax Easy Extension. This will keep all your information under one user ID and password.
If you did not have an account prior to using TurboTax Easy Extension, there's now one less thing to do before using TurboTax Online. Just sign in to your account: it's free to try, pay when you file!
You filed an extension, you settled your tax bill, and you’re finally ready to finish filing your taxes.
If you did not owe any taxes when you filed your extension, there's nothing more you need to include in your tax return. You can simply prepare and file your taxes as you normally would to get your refund.
If you did make a payment with your extension, include this amount in your tax return so that TurboTax doesn’t ask you to pay again.
Here's where to enter the information in TurboTax Online and Desktop:
TurboTax Online
- Log in to your return, click on the Tools icon in the upper-right corner, and choose Search Topics.
- In the pop-up box, enter "Tax Paid” and click GO.
- Next, TurboTax asks about your estimated tax payments; give the answer that's appropriate for your situation.
- Continue through to the Other Tax Payments screen and check the box Filed an extension with a payment this year, then click Continue.
- On the Indicate Which Apply screen, check the box I made a payment with a federal extension for 2011… and click Continue.
- On the Payments Made With Extensions screen, check the appropriate boxes, then click Continue and enter in the amount(s) you paid (see your Form 4868).
TurboTax Desktop
- Open your return in TurboTax. In the search box (labeled with a magnifying glass icon) at the upper right, enter "Taxes Paid" and click Find.
- Next, TurboTax asks about your estimated tax payments; give the answer that's appropriate for your situation.
- Continue through to the Other Tax Payments screen and check the box Filed an extension with a payment this year, then click Continue.
- On the Indicate Which Apply screen, check the box I made a payment with a federal extension for 2011… and click Continue.
- On the Payments Made With Extensions screen, check the appropriate boxes, then click Continue and enter in the amount(s) you paid (see your Form 4868).
After the filing deadline of April 17, 2012, these individuals are still eligible to use TurboTax Easy Extension:
- Qualifying military personnel
- U.S. citizens or residents living and working outside the U.S.
- Qualified Military Personnel Stationed Outside the U.S.
TurboTax Easy Extension:- Extends your federal tax filing deadline to October 15, 2012
- Walks you through e-filing your federal tax extension (IRS Form 4868)
- Provides email confirmation when your extension is accepted by the IRS
- U.S. Citizens or Residents Living and Working Outside the U.S.
On April 17, 2012, if you are a U.S. citizen or resident who is out of the country, you are allowed two (2) extra months — to June 15, 2012 — to file your return and pay any taxes due without requesting an extension.
Not Eligible?
Finish and file now. For most taxpayers, April 17, 2012 is the deadline to file for a tax extension. TurboTax makes it easy to finish and file now in order to minimize potential IRS penalties.
