Using TurboTax Easy Extension

I filed an extension and now I'm doing my taxes. What do I do? Click here.

See the how-to video below or go to the written information.

You can extend the date to file your tax return to October 15, 2009 by filing Form 4868, Application of Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. When you file Form 4868, extensions for filing income tax returns are automatic. You do not need to provide an explanation to the IRS.

If you have a balance due in your tax return, your tax payment is due April 15, 2009. The IRS allows up to six months after the April 15, 2009 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.

You'll need to complete and mail or electronically file Form 4868, which extends the filing deadline to October 15, 2009 for Forms 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ.

To file a tax extension using TurboTax Easy Extension
Easy Extension will allow you to electronically file your 2008 Federal Extension and make a payment of tax due with your checking or savings account.

1. Go to the TurboTax Easy Extension website (available during tax filing season up until April 15).
2. Specify if you are a new user or if you already have a TurboTax account.
3. Enter Personal Information, Tax and Filing information.
4. Once the information is entered, Easy Extension will allow you to create your User Name and Password.

To file a tax extension from within TurboTax
Important: You must print and mail Form 4868 to the IRS by the tax filing due date of April 15, 2009. You cannot e-file the extension within the TurboTax program.

1. Open your tax return in the TurboTax program.
2. In the Basic, Deluxe or Premier versions, select the Federal Taxes tab. In the Home & Business product, choose the Personal tab. Then select Other at the top of the screen.
3. In the Other screen, choose the Select Specific Topics button.
4. In the Other screen, select Other Tax Forms.
5. Select the Start button for File an Extension.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions for filing an extension in the TurboTax Interview.
7. When you get to the Print Your Extension screen, click the Print Extension button to print the form.
8. Complete and mail the extension form before the tax filing deadline.

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.

Printing a tax extension form in TurboTax Online

1. Select the State Taxes tab, then select Continue.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions in the TurboTax Interview.
3. In the File an Extension for <your state>? screen, select Yes.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Printing a tax extension form in TurboTax Desktop (Windows and Mac)

1. Select the State Taxes tab, then select the Start State button to open your state tax return.
2. Go to the Forms menu, and then select Open a Form.
3. In the Open Form dialog box, open your state's extension form (e.g. "Form 3519 - Automatic Extension for Individuals" for California), then select Open.
4. When the extension form opens, select the Print button at the top.
5. After the form prints, select the Close Form button.

You'll have six (6) months from the tax filing deadline in April to complete and file your federal income tax return. You can still use your TurboTax desktop product or TurboTax Online to finish your income tax return during this extension period.

If you requested a filing extension through Easy Extension, you'll receive an email acknowledgment of your extension.

If you filed an extension for your state income tax return, please refer to the instructions for filing extensions for your state.

When you file Form 4868, you have until October 15, 2009 to complete your Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ tax return. Your extension is automatic as long as it is timely filed and includes a payment of the amount of tax that you owe. In most cases, if you do not send a tax payment with your extension request, you will not be assessed a late filing penalty. However, you will have to pay interest on the amount of tax that you owe.

Once you have completed your tax return, you can either print and mail or e-file your return on or before October 15, 2009. If you e-file your tax return and it gets rejected, you have a five-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 to check your state's requirements for filing extensions to make sure.

If you are e-filing your tax extension and providing an electronic signature, the IRS offers a paperless Self-select PIN (Personal Identification Number) as a way to electronically sign your tax return.

Your prior-year's AGI is used to verify your identity on the Self-select PIN. The AGI that you enter must match the IRS records exactly.

Find the correct AGI from last year
Please verify that last year's Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) amount is correct against a printed copy of your last year's tax return. If you're filing jointly, be sure to check the AGI for both the primary and secondary taxpayer.

• Check a copy of last year's tax return. Look for the amount in the adjusted gross income line on your 1040 (line 37), 1040A (line 21), or 1040EZ (line 4).
• If you amended your return, use the AGI filed with your original return prior to any adjustments.
• If you did not file jointly last year and you are this year, enter the amount for each of you as shown on your individual returns.

If you don't have a copy of last year's return, call the IRS at (800) 829-1040 and choose the option to get your prior-year's AGI and PIN. You'll need to provide this information:

• Social Security number
• Primary taxpayer name
• Address on return
• Current address (if it’s changed since then)
• Date of birth
• Filing status last year
• What type of form filed (1040, 1040ez, 1040a)
• Were you employed in tax year 2007?
• If so, by whom?

Note: When contacting the IRS for AGI information, make sure to tell the agent that you need your 2007 AGI for e-filing from the return you originally filed.

You can also request a copy of your return, which takes about 7 to 10 days.

How the IRS verifies your identity
In addition to the AGI you enter on your return, the IRS also verifies your identity by checking the Social Security number used on the return and your date of birth against its records. If you filed married filing jointly, the IRS checks the Social Security number and date of birth of the primary taxpayer (the person listed first on the return).

Important things to remember about your AGI

• If you filed an amended return last year, use the amount from your original return, not from the amended return (Form 1040X).
• Make sure the enter the AGI amount from last year's return, not the return you are preparing for this year.

If you filed married filing jointly last year, and you are doing the same this year (with the same spouse as last year), enter the AGI amount exactly as it is shown on last year's return.

Enter the same amount for both the taxpayer and the spouse. Don't split the amount between the taxpayer and spouse, or allocate the total in any way.

If you are filing married filing jointly for the first time this year, you will enter two different AGI amounts, one from each spouse's return. Look on both returns from last year and enter each person's AGI in the correct box.

You can use your Easy Extension account for any of the features we have available on the turbotax.com website. These features include access to our E-Store, accessing prior-year tax returns prepared online or downloads previously purchased, and even preparing your 2008 taxes with TurboTax online!

If you already have an account on turbotax.com, please use the same account for Easy Extension. This will conveniently locate all your information under one user ID and password.

If you have an account, when you visit the login page for Easy Extension, simply choose the option for already having a TurboTax account and then log in. It's that easy!

If you did not have an account prior to using Easy Extension, there's now one less thing to do before using TurboTax Online. Just sign in with 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 value 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

1. Log into your return, click on the Tools button in the upper right corner, and choose Topics & Forms.
2. In the pop-up box that appears, enter "Taxes Paid” and click the GO button.
3. Next, TurboTax asks about your estimated tax payments; give the answer that's appropriate for your situation.
4. Continue through to the Other Tax Payments screen. There, check the box Filed an extension with a payment this year and click Continue.
5. On the Indicate Which Apply screen, check the box I made a payment with a federal extension for 2008… and click Continue.
6. 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

1. 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.
2. Next, TurboTax asks about your estimated tax payments; give the answer that's appropriate for your situation.
3. Continue through to the Other Tax Payments screen. There, check the box Filed an extension with a payment this year and click Continue.
4. On the Indicate Which Apply screen, check the box I made a payment with a federal extension for 2008… and click Continue.
5. 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).